From my keyboard to the world ... 
Nina Berry BA/Bed(Hons) Dip Arts(Phil)
Breastfeeding Counsellor
PhD Candidate - "Ethical Issues in the marketing of 'Toddler Milks'" 


  _____  

From: Nina Berry [mailto:[log in to unmask]] 
Sent: Tuesday, May 01, 2007 2:19 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Breastfeeding worsens asthma



I thought misleading sensational headlines were the domain of the tabloid
newsheet in Australia. It is disappointing to read such a headline
(Breastfeeding worsens asthma, allergies in children, 1 May 07) in a
respected broadsheet like The Australian. It is a headline that can only
serve to frighten and confuse mothers, adding to the weighty burden of
motherguilt we all share.
This story is an account of a research paper which concludes that, amongst
infants who are at (hereditary) risk of atopic illness, full breastfeeding
for six months does not appear to protect against atopic illness.  That is
not the same as saying that breastfeeding worsens atopic illness - or even
makes them 'more susceptible to allergies'. The paper also concludes that
amongst those who are at increased risk of developing allergies 'children
who were breastfed for 6 months or more and those in whom the introduction
of solid foods occurred after age 3 months, were at increased risk of having
atopy ... at age 5 years' (Clinical and Experimental Allergy, 37, p676).
Again this is not the same as concluding breastfeeding worsens atopic
illness in the general population, only that in this particular cohort
(those already at risk) children who are breastfed for more than six months
may be more likely to develop allergic symptoms before they turn 5. The
study is not able to tell us whether infants who are exclusively breastfed
to six months followed by continued breastfeeding to at least 12months
(according to the NHMRC guidelines) affects the development of allergic
symptoms either in those predisposed to allergy or in the general population
and so it offers no good good reasons to challenge the current NHMRC
recommendations.
I hope that the eds will actually read research articles and concern
themselves with accurately representing its conclusions in future.
Sincerely
Nina Berry BA/Bed(Hons) Dip Arts(Phil)
PhD Candidate
Centre for Health Behaviour and Communication Research
33 Sushine Drive
Point Clare NSW 2250
0438 819 989



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