Breast Feeding Update
Just to keep readers up to date on the ongoing issues surrounding breast feeding please see the story below from the BBC which relates to an attempt to make formula milk healthier for (human) babies. Obviously though of course not healthier for the calves for which the milk was originally intended. - see milkmyths
All the mothers in the trial - a new study, called PATCH - will be encouraged to breastfeed, but those who decide to use formula before four months will either be offered the new hypoallergenic milk or a placebo.
Paediatrician Dr Bob Boyle said the international trial hopes to recruit about 1,200 pregnant women in total - 50 of these at St Mary’s.
“Basically the PATCH study is trying to find the next best way to feed infants apart from breastfeeding and how to control allergies,” he said.
“We know that a significant proportion of women do introduce formula within the first few months of life in this part of the world and we believe this increases the risk of allergic symptoms, compared to exclusive breastfeeding.
“So we are trying to find a formula that will reduce the negative impact of introducing formula early.
“We are not suggesting that this formula might be better than breast milk and we are making that quite clear in the study.”
Dr Boyle said eczema often does not develop until the second year of life - but about 70% of cases become apparent by the time a child is 18 months old.
For that reason, the study will follow up the children taking part in the study regularly until they reach 18 months.
However, the team believe it is the first few months of feeding that are likely to be crucial.
The new formula contains prebiotics, natural compounds found in breast milk that encourage healthy bacteria to develop in the gut and help prevent allergies.
It also contains pre-digested proteins, rather than whole proteins, which are broken down into smaller pieces, making them easier to digest.
John Collard, clinical director of Allergy UK, welcomed the research.
“It is well established that exclusive breastfeeding for four to six months reduces the risk of allergy and this should be the aim,” he said.
“However, not every mum is able to breastfeed and using normal formula feeds can increase the chances of allergy developing in children from allergic families.
“We welcome any research into formula milks which could be used to follow on from breastfeeding, or in place of it, and which could reduce the risk of allergy in these children.”
Story from:
news.bbc.co.uk
© BBC MMVIII
