Girls Benefit Most from Breastfeeding

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

03 Jun 2008 04:21 AM

If you have a baby girl, it may be even more important that you breast feed than if you have a baby boy. Recent research investigated by John Hopkins Children's Center reveals that girls may receive a greater benefit from the protective nature of breast milk than do boys, at least when it comes to one area of health.

The June issue of the journal Pediatrics reports findings that suggest that breast milk provides more protection from respiratory infections for girls than it does for boys. Furthermore, girls who were formula fed had the absolute highest risk for developing respiratory infections in all of the babies that were studied.

The study followed 119 premature babies who were born in Buenos Aires. The formula fed girls were eight times more likely to develop respiratory infections shortly after birth than were the breast-fed girls. They were also more likely to develop the respiratory infections than were boys who were either breast fed or formula fed. The breast milk also appeared to help the babies cope with any infections that did occur, lessening the severity of the infections.

The results of this study challenge the notion that breast milk offers equal protection to both boys and girls. Current theories related to this study suggest that the breast milk may not directly transfer the protection but instead somehow switches on an innate protection for the infant that is somehow easier to do in girls than in boys.

Personally, I find the study results interesting, but I am a little skeptical about the theories of breast milk not transferring protection, since science has already discovered the presence of antibodies and anti-bacterial properties in breast milk. I have seen first hand how I may be racked with a bad cold or the flu and yet my nursing child remains symptom free. On the other side, my eldest son, who was a breast-fed baby developed asthma as a preschooler.

This study could help prevent and treat respiratory infections in both breast-fed and formula-fed infants if it points the way to finding the "switch" that the theory suggests gets turned on through breast-feeding of the infants.

What do you think?

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. Starting June 1st, don't miss her articles in the Baby Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

Related Articles:

The Outrage Over the Breast

Breastfeeding Rates Are at an All Time High

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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tangerinelullaby (553) 03 Jun 2008 04:47 AM

When I was breastfeeding my son, I became so frustrated with the fact that I can't give enough milk. He lost weight a month after he was born. As I try desperately to give him what I can, I finally gave bottle-feeding a try. It's kind of a mixed feeding as I still do breastfeed him at night time.

Personally, I am a little wary about the study. As long as you breastfeed your child, I'm confident of the benefits that he will receive. In terms of your son having an asthma, I can't really answer that. If I remember correctly, it could be asymptomatic and may have nothing to do with breastfeeding. My brother had asthma as a child, he's not breast-fed. Lucky for him, after constant treatments and trip to the doctor he got well. On the one hand, at my 20s, I discovered that I have asthma. This is weird because I never had one.

Anyway, I still believe in the power of breastfeeding. I hope that I produce a lot of milk by the time I have baby #2.

-Yvie

http://tangerineslullaby.eachday.com

P.S. Interesting goldfish. I haven't encountered a nervous one though I have encountered a pretty angry one.

Valorie Delp (49340) 03 Jun 2008 04:52 AM

Interesting, because health wise. . .research indicates that boys, particularly white males have the most health gains to make. (At least preemies.) I am kind of wondering if this is the difference they're seeing as opposed to actual benefits. I think if the study were replicated on a wider scale. . .with equivalent gestational ages in each category. . .(in other words 100 boy 24 weekers. . .with 100 girl 24 weekers) that the results might well be different. (It's also interesting to note that it seems like Americans and Western Europeans are the only ones interested in debunking bm as THE best food. ;-) LOL That was probably more than you wanted for your first baby article huh?

Welcome Mary Ann!