why do breastfed babies still get sick all the time?

[Anonymous]

Well, although it really SUCKS, getting sick is actually a good thing in the long run, as long as babies are healthy enough to fight off and recover from the virus...it's good for the immune system. And the whole "fighting off and recovering" is where I believe breastfeeding might make a small difference, although modern formula seems to be doing an awesome job of it too, thankfully.

[Anonymous]

I BF for 8.5 months. My child has no allergies and has never had an ear infection; been on antibiotics 1x. She is 4 and has been in daycare since 3.5 months. She obviously, at this point, has a strong immune system (knock wood). Who knows if BFing had anything to do with it? You just do what you can. We also eat healthy and prioritize sleep. Maybe those things have helped, maybe not.

I hope BFing has offered some protective factor. If not, I enjoy it anyway for the most part. It can be a pain but as I am BFing my second now, there are moments I really enjoy it. I once read that BFing should be a pleasant experience, and if it's not, you should probably stop. I think that is good advice. People shouldn't beat themselves up for not BFing, but to say it has no benefits I think is also extreme. To me, it's pretty amazing that after giving birth we have the ability to feed the baby from our own bodies for several months. Pretty cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As I understand it, for the first 4-6 months you are passing on your immunity because their "gut" is still open. After that the benefit of your antibodies goes away.

This is from kelly mom and is more in reference to starting solids but it also mentions immunity

elaying solids decreases the risk of food allergies.
It is well documented that prolonged exclusive breastfeeding results in a lower incidence of food allergies (see Allergy References and Risks of Artificial Feeding). From birth until somewhere between four and six months of age, babies possess what is often referred to as an "open gut." This means that the spaces between the cells of the small intestines will readily allow intact macromolecules, including whole proteins and pathogens, to pass directly into the bloodstream.This is great for your breastfed baby as it allows beneficial antibodies in breastmilk to pass more directly into baby's bloodstream, but it also means that large proteins from other foods (which may predispose baby to allergies) and disease-causing pathogens can pass right through, too. During baby's first 4-6 months, while the gut is still "open," antibodies (sIgA) from breastmilk coat baby's digestive tract and provide passive immunity, reducing the likelihood of illness and allergic reactions before gut closure occurs. Baby starts producing these antibodies on his own at around 6 months, and gut closure should have occurred by this time also. See How Breast Milk Protects Newborns and The Case for the Virgin Gut for more on this subject.

omg... this is what the LC's kept telling me about. they told my every time you feed a baby formula, it washes away the "good proteins" in the gut or something like that....

[Anonymous]

I was sort of under the impression that breastfeeding helped more for GI bugs than upper respiratory ones. My sample of one says that it's the case. She has never had a barfy bug in her four years. Though she has caught every cold that came within 100 feet of her, it seems.

[Anonymous]

Because the science studying bfing is poor, most of it fails to take into account socioeconomic factors (rich women breastfeed, poor women have to go back to work in two weeks) or life style factors (mothers health practices).

Also what a shocker that lactation consultants will tell you that whole gut flora thing- they are protecting their own economic interests. Even old hippies like money.

Finally PLEASE don't read Kellymom for research- she's an lc with a bachelors degree - NOT a researcher.

[Anonymous]

This article does a nice job of sorting thru the research:

http://m.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2009/04/the-case-against-breast-feeding/7311/

[Anonymous]

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/opinion/the-tyranny-of-mothers-milk/article2030188/?service=mobile

[Anonymous]

OP - breastfeeding is not a magic bullet; it's not going to make your kid invincible. But there are numerous studies that it does provide your LO advantages over children who are formula fed, one advantage being a stronger immune system. Thanks to your breast milk your LO is able to gain your immunities, but it's probable that YOU haven't been exposed to all of the bugs and viruses that are circulating in daycare.

[Anonymous]

No, actually, there aren't. The only impact is in gastrointestinal illness, a net reduction of one a year, and possibly better performance on one or two cognitive tests. All other effects are negligible once SES and moms lifestyle have been accounted for. Not saying don't do it, but don't think it's going to provide any super advantages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Many of these "studies" you quote for the other things are observational studies, which are hard to control for, and not based in scientific data.

You mean just because People Magazine called it a "study" doesn't mean it is?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP - breastfeeding is not a magic bullet; it's not going to make your kid invincible. But there are numerous studies that it does provide your LO advantages over children who are formula fed, one advantage being a stronger immune system. Thanks to your breast milk your LO is able to gain your immunities, but it's probable that YOU haven't been exposed to all of the bugs and viruses that are circulating in daycare.

I thought the most recent studies said it does not provide advantages over other children who were FF (I.e., your BF kid would not be heathier then my FF kid) but your BF kid is healthier then if (s)he was FF.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - breastfeeding is not a magic bullet; it's not going to make your kid invincible. But there are numerous studies that it does provide your LO advantages over children who are formula fed, one advantage being a stronger immune system. Thanks to your breast milk your LO is able to gain your immunities, but it's probable that YOU haven't been exposed to all of the bugs and viruses that are circulating in daycare.

I thought the most recent studies said it does not provide advantages over other children who were FF (I.e., your BF kid would not be heathier then my FF kid) but your BF kid is healthier then if (s)he was FF.

Breastfed kids are less likely to die from SIDS, are less likely to be obese, and gain the benefit in early months of their mother's immunity. I consider those significant advantages.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP - breastfeeding is not a magic bullet; it's not going to make your kid invincible. But there are numerous studies that it does provide your LO advantages over children who are formula fed, one advantage being a stronger immune system. Thanks to your breast milk your LO is able to gain your immunities, but it's probable that YOU haven't been exposed to all of the bugs and viruses that are circulating in daycare.

I thought the most recent studies said it does not provide advantages over other children who were FF (I.e., your BF kid would not be heathier then my FF kid) but your BF kid is healthier then if (s)he was FF.

Breastfed kids are less likely to die from SIDS, are less likely to be obese, and gain the benefit in early months of their mother's immunity. I consider those significant advantages.

[Anonymous]

You guys are so wrapped up in ridiculous false studies that you've forgotten about common sense. You are all being scammed by an industry that LOVES to manipulate data.

http://www.plosmedicine.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pmed.0020124

[Anonymous]

My daughter was mainly formula fed. My son was breastfed.

Guess who got sick more often during the first year?

yup - son!