INDEX TO PAST COLUMNS
July 29, 1997
"...ideally, a mother should breastfeed up to 2 years if possible."
NEXT WEEK:
Diabetes and obesity
If you have a question or concern about healthy dietary
choices, send it to us in an e-mail message, and
we'll forward it to Dr. Attwood.
Breastfeeding versus Formula
I breastfed my baby for
6 months before I returned to work. Since I started a
regular cow's milk formula, a dry scaly rash stays on the
face and neck. My pediatrician calls it eczema and says
"don't worry about it." The baby also has
frequent loose bowel movements and cramping. Would you
recommend that a soy milk substitute be used? An if so,
is there any reason to worry about a baby who may never
be able to drink cow's milk?
Your dilemma is shared
by millions of working mothers in this country. The fact
that you have continued to breastfeed for 6 months is
commendable; and, as I see it you have two options.
Whenever infants are unable to continue breastfeeding and have been found to be intolerant to cow's milk -- or actually allergic to the cow's milk protein -- I reluctantly recommend a commercial soy formula until such time as the child is eating an adequate solid diet. So ideally, a mother should breastfeed up to 2 years if possible. Most infants can eat soft solids, prepared from the family table food with a blender, by six months of age. The majority of infants seem to tolerate commercial soy formulas very well.
So why am I cautious? It's possible that early exposure to the soy proteins through daily use of commercial soy formulas may sensitize babies to soy allergies later in life, just as the early exposure to cow's milk can lead to milk allergies such as eczema, asthma, and rhinitis. A working mother can still breastfeed while she's at home. While at work -- with the use of a breast pump and storage in the refrigerator -- breast milk could be continued indefinitely or at least until the child is eating a full variety of solids.
Your
Turn: Post
your comments and suggestions on this topic.
About Dr. Attwood.
