According to the WHO (1), globally, only 38% of children ages 0-6 months are exclusively breastfed. Naturally (in my mind), the US falls short of this average - according to the CDC (2) 16.4% of American children are exclusively breastfed at 6 months of age (down from 37.7% at 3 months of age). Until recently, breastfeeding was in a steep decline, the increasing knowledge of the tremendous benefits of breast milk has allowed for an uptick in the past decade.
As discussed previously, there are many theories as to what causes IBD. Many speculate that genes play a large role as do the lack of particular gut flora due to 'modern cleanliness' of foods and especially water (3). Similarly, other environmental factors are thought to play a role as well as lifestyle choices - i.e. smoking. With an increase in women in the workforce as well as the increase in easily accessible infant formulas and their convenience (not-to-mention the massive push to use it in years past), I would venture to argue that in combination with genetics, our environment, and many poor lifestyle choices, the lack of proper nutrition for our infants plays a huge role. It is well known that breast milk has tremendous protective properties when referencing the immune system; properties that are not fully known nor easily synthesized.
Klement et. al. (4) suggests that although more research on the topic is necessary, breastfeeding is indeed associated with lower risks of Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis. Furthermore, Barclay et. al. (5) suggest a possible protective effect of breast milk for early-onset IBD, demonstrated by data of statistical significance.
I agree that more work on the topic is indeed necessary in order to fully understand whether breast milk is truly protective, however the protective properties do not end with IBD. Much research is being conducted on the beneficial impact of breast milk and obesity, asthma, allergies and other [auto]immune disorders. Despite only being (strongly) correlated, is it not easier to just play it safe in all facets and breast feed your baby for a mere 6 months? I understand all the difficulties associated with breastfeeding but do we not want the best for our children and future generations? After all, breastfeeding in no way harms one's child...
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3. Korzenik, J. (2005) Past and current theories of etiology of IBD: Toothpaste, worms and refrigerators. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology
4. Klement, E, et.al. (2004) Breastfeeding and risk of inflammatory bowel disease: a systematic review with meta-analysis. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
5. Barclay, A, et. al. (2009) Systematic review: The role of breastfeeding in the development of Inflammatory Bowel Disease The Journal of Pediatrics
I think the effects of breast milk are so interesting! As a whole, most people are starting to believe that breast milk is the way to go for helping babies build their own immune systems, and therefore could help prevent auto-immune disorders. 'Tainted milk' or milk with abnormal amounts of bacteria in it might actually be a good thing when you consider the hygiene hypothesis. I mean, you wouldn't want to expose your baby extremely toxic bacteria but the presence of some bacteria is necessary for the baby to develop a healthy immune system.
ReplyDeleteOver the past couple years in my physio classes, I keep learning more and more about the effects of breast milk! In reproductive physiology, we learned a lot about the positive effects for the baby and in immunology, we learned about the effects on the immune system. It makes sense that breast milk will help expose the baby to pathogens (as long as they are not bad bacteria) and help them to gain a better immune system.
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ReplyDeleteBreastfeeding does have positive benefits for babies, and is recommended for mothers not only for the baby’s health but it is also much cheaper than having to buy formula. Harmful bacteria have been found in breast milk sold online. Purchasing breast milk online is cheaper than purchasing it from a milk bank but the FDA does not recommend purchasing breast milk online. However, $4.25 an ounce for breast milk from a milk bank is extremely expensive when a new mother cannot breastfeed and wants her child to still gain the benefits from breast milk. Learning about how IBD develops, babies need to be exposed to certain bacteria to develop a good, strong immune system. Sometimes being too clean, worrying about sanitizing every baby bottle, pacifier, and toy your child is exposed to, is not necessarily the best thing for his or her immune system.
ReplyDeleteAfter all the physiology courses I have been through and having learned about the human body and the immune system, I believe that humans evolved to what they are for a reason. Breastfeeding a child is going to be the best nutrition for the infant’s body and immune system. I think of an infant’s immune system that was not breastfed, as someone who is going into a professional field to work without any training. I think that there should not be any age that should be set for the mother to stop breastfeeding the child and as long as the mother has the ability to breastfeed, the child should be breastfed. This could possibly help prevent many different diseases from affecting the infant in childhood and even adulthood. I am sure that there are many different positive effects about the mother’s milk that we still do not know, which would be a great subject of research since it is one of the first steps of strengthening our immune system.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone has said in terms of there being a positive benefit when a baby is breast fed, benefits for both mother and baby since breast feeding also releases oxytocin which is like a "love" and "feel good" hormone. But also with the changes that we as a society have been making towards gluten free food, and more foods enhanced with probiotics you can find recipes and companies who produce gluten free baby food, and I wouldn't be surprised if probiotic baby foods would soon be on shelves too. Here's an interesting article where a mom talks about not only good bacteria given from breast feeding but also probiotics in food.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.parents.com/toddlers-preschoolers/feeding/healthy-eating/probiotics-the-friendly-bacteria/