This was reported in our local news a few nights ago (Philly area, not sure
which channel), and at the conclusion of the report, the reporter said
clearly and strongly (I'll have to paraphrase) that the best way to reduce
your child's chances of having ear infections is to "breastfeed instead of
bottlefeed your baby."  He also said not to smoke!

Rhonda Feder
Elkins Park, PA
lawyer and lay counselor

-----Original Message-----
From: Karen Kerkhoff Gromada, MSN, RN, IBCLC <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Tuesday, December 14, 1999 10:47 PM
Subject: Re: ear infections


>Received this from a friend and thought it might be of interest. Reinforces
>breastfeeding as a preventive strategy at the end.   KKG
>
><< From BABYCENTER PRENATAL WEB MONITOR FOR THE WEEK OF 12/13/99
>Ear Infections May Be Hereditary
>Is your baby prone to ear infections? They could run in the family,
according
>to a new study in the December 8 issue of the Journal of the American
Medical
>Association.
>
>While studying the incidence of ear infections in twins and triplets,
doctors
>at the Otitis Media Research Center at the Children's Hospital of
Pittsburgh
>made a surprising discovery: The chance that one sibling in an identical
set
>would have an ear infection at some point after his sibling did was about
60
>percent. With fraternal siblings, the chance was about 30 percent.
>
>This possible link between genetics and ear infections may help doctors
treat
>ear infections before they become a recurring problem in families with more
>than one child. Most children will get one or two ear infections during
>childhood; they are usually treated with antibiotics.
>
>Aside from genetics, several other factors can increase the risk of ear
>infections, including allowing your child to drink his bottle lying down
and
>exposing him to cigarette smoke. Children under 1 year of age who spend
time
>in group daycare -- where they're exposed to more colds -- are also more at
>risk.
>
>What's the best way to prevent an ear infection? Breastfeed. Breastfed
babies
>have up to 50 percent fewer ear infections than formula drinkers. >>
>

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