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Subject:
From:
Jennifer Baughman <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Sun, 16 Dec 2001 17:17:12 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
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Shortly after my daughter was diagnosed I was dying for an answer. Why
her??..I breastfeed my children not for months but years, I don't use
formula, introduce solids late, etc. I asked my doctors, research through
the diabetes literature, searched the net. All I could find was very
conflicting findings on the protective value of breastmilk so far as type-1
goes. Type-2 is another story and the evidence there is much clearer that
breastfeeding does have a protective effect.

Finland is the land of type-1 diabetes. In a number of studies from both
Finland and Brazil found both a
protective effect of breastfeeding for at least 3 months but also found in
some children the lack of sickness may not exercise the immune system
enough.

Type-1 is an autoimmune disease. Three factors are thought to play a part.
genetics, viral and environmental or chemical. So could formula play a part?

As I am on a support list for parents of children with diabetes I did some
sloppy research polling the 600 families as to their infant feeding
practices. About 100 wrote back and the results showed no clear pattern. A
good number breastfed for more than 6 months some even for at least two
years. Vaccinations was also an area that showed no pattern. I found at
least 5 moms who breastfed, did not introduce any food till 1yr and did not
vaccinate yet their children still became sick.

In other words many things need to fall into place in order for type-1 to
take hold. Triggers the Endo's like to call them. For some it might be
formula for others it is a case of the chicken pox or hand foot and mouth (a
very strong trigger). Could it be something the mother is exposed to in
utero? No one knows yet but we are working on it.

One interesting finding is the lack of DHA in our diet. Both mother and baby
need this. Some in the diabetes community believe this is a possible
preventative. It is thought that the levels of DHA & Vitamin D are low in
breastmilk due to the lack in our diet and the increased worries over skin
cancer.

Jenny Baughman
LLL of GA

> From:    Libby Rosen <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Re: diabetic toddlers
>
> In the discussion about diabetic toddlers, I find myself wondering about
> exposure to formula in these children as infants, as I often tell moms
that
> breastfeeding should reduce the possibility of juvenile onset diabetes
and
> that formula introduction early increases its chance.  Are those of you
> posting willing to share more about the medical/feeding history of these
> children?  Thanks in advance,
> Libby Rosen RN, IBCLC
> Topeka, Kansas
>
> ------------------------------

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