Palmwoods
District News

May 27,
1999

Page 9

Chiro Connection
from Dr Bernard Love of Woombye Chiropractic

BREAST IS BEST

THERE has long been discussion about what is best when feeding an infant. Is breast milk better than formula? Are there any disadvantages to bottle feeding? Formula manufacturers would have us believe that formula is a complete substitute. Well, let’s look at what the research is telling us.

American studies during 1992 compared Otitis Media (middle ear infection) rates in over 1000 infants during their first 12 months of life. This study showed that infants exclusively breast-fed for at least the first four months.... "had half the average number of acute Otitis Media episodes as did those not breast fed at all and 40% less than those infants whose diets were supplemented with other foods prior to 4 months old." The study also showed... "The recurrent Otitis Media rate in infants exclusively breast-fed for six months or more was half that of the rate for infants breast-fed for less than four months. This protection was found to be independent of risk factors such as socioeconomic status, gender, number of siblings, maternal smoking, use of day care, and family history of allergy."

A 1993 study in the UK Compared Intelligence Quotient (I.Q.) in 7 1/2 - 8 year old children who had been brest-fed as infants as opposed to children who had not been breast-fed. The results when adjusted for differences such as mothers education and social status still shoed a significant advantage in brest-fed children. On average, breast-fed infants at age 7 1/2 - 8 years had an 8.3 point advantage in I.Q. Over non-breast fed children.

Yet, another study comparing incidence of Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) in a high risk group showed that exclusively brest-fed infants were significantly less likely to develop NIDDM than infants who received a combination of breast feeding and some other substitute during the first 12 months. Infants who were exclusively bottle-fed showed the highest incidence of NIDDM and also has higher levels of body fat.

The more we investigate breast-feeding the more evidence we gain supporting the long held belief that the natural food for infants (breast milk) is the best. A Chiropractic check-up soon after birth makes good sense for mother and infant.

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