Cathie,
Read your query on Lactnet.
While breastfeeding is great for brain development, it cannot undo the
lack of proper migration of the glial cells that is a hallmark of fetal
alcohol syndrome (FAS).  The cerebral cortex forms by setting up a
scaffolding which nerve cells ascend until they reach their proper
layer.  The glial cells migrate with the neurons and provide insulation
(myelin sheath) and housekeeping/"nursing" functions to the nerve
cells.  This arrangement allows the nerve cells to make very specific
associations so that everything hooks up properly.  When a fetal brain
cell is exposed to ethanol in the process of migrating, it stops dead in
its' tracks and never moves again.  This is how disorganized clumps of
glial cells come to be scattered on the surface of the brain in FAS.
The neuronal organization is affected as well, resultinX-Mozilla-Status:
0009on and impulsiveness.  While many new synapses (connections)
are made in the first 3 months of life (and are probably increased and
richer when a child is bf), the basic layered structure of cortical
neurons needs to be in place before birth.
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Catherine Watson Genna, IBCLC  New York City  mailto:[log in to unmask]