<< One of my trainees read in a book (she can't remember which one) that a newborn is protected from menengitis when BF. The reason given had something to do with colostrom preventing the baby from getting menengitis (the really bad form of menengitis) >> The "really bad form" is generally caused by Group B Strep, which can be picked up by baby during the birth, as Strep B is part of the vaginal flora in many women (now most OBs do prenatal screens and treat if positive). Strep B is common enough that baby can also pick it up from unwashed hands that touch him & so forth. This is the reason that ANY fever in a newborn needs attention. While breastfeeding may offer some protection--and I doubt that we know how much), it certainly won't necessarily "prevent" it. My 18-day, breastfed nephew died from it. A painful reminder to me that, as great as breastfeeding is, we can do everything "right" and stuff still happens. Nancy