In a message dated 1/27/99 7:59:07 PM !!!First Boot!!!,
[log in to unmask] writes:

<< As a mother who has had 3 children suffer from pertussis at varying ages
from
 2 - 7 years (no they were not vaccinated!) I know that they would have
 received a lot more value from breast milk than any antibiotic. >>

Well, since the main reservoir of pertussis is in adults, I don't think BM
will offer much, if any, protection to infants from pertussis in terms of
direct immunity/maternal antibodies since the mother's immunity would be
waning and/or non-immune.  In fact, it is currently being debated as to
whether adults should be revaccinated against pertussis.  Most
infants/children who get pertussis, probably get it from an adult.  After all,
before the days of ABM, infants & children got and died from pertussis in
spite of being BF.
Andrew MD
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