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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
OK, I was going to reply to another thread about taking your child out but figured I'd get more reponses if i started my own thread.
I am not denying that breastfeeding is best for your baby. But...over the months I have seens responses here and there concerning bringing your child out for the first time.
Some respond "if you're breastfeeding you should be ok to go out".
Now as a formula feeding mom, I can't help but feel a little sensitive. Breastfeeding does not in any way guarantee your child won't get sick!! Just as formula feeding doesn't guarantee they will. Am I wrong here??? I do know breastmilk provides certain immunities...a length of a cold may be shortened, an illness maybe not as severe...but formula is such a perfectly healthy altenative. I never ever worried about bringing my son out and thinking he was a target for illness.
In fact, hes had one small cold in 7 months. He is also not in daycare though...so I know he'll get sick once he starts school.
Sorry this turned into more of a vent. I guess I don't buy that a breastfed baby is protected. I know too many friends who have breastfed babies and have been sick in their first few months.
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Posted 4/20/07 7:42 AM  |
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CookiePuss
Cake from Outer Space!
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
I think the response regarding breastfeeding is that your baby isn't born with immunities. By breastfeeding, the mom passes immunities to the baby and helps build up their immune systems. FF babies don't get this benefit from fomula. Does it mean that a FF baby is more prone to getting sick, no. Does it mean that bf babies don't get sick, no.
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| Posted 4/20/07 7:53 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
It is a benefit of breastfeeding, antibodies are being passed through that are not found in formula.
The nursing baby actually gives your body the germ, your body reacts and by the next feeding, the proper antibodies for that germ will start manufacturing.
Is it fool proof? of course not. But I do believe it reduces the sickness or severity.
I am sorry if you feel sensitive to this topic
Message edited 4/20/2007 8:22:45 AM.
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| Posted 4/20/07 8:19 AM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
It's funny...I don't ever have a problem with the fact that i formula feed...I will prob do the same for baby #2 (whenever that happens!!). It's when I read certain things I feel this pang of sensitivity..I'm sure you can all understand.
A woman in the mothers group I belong to actually said out loud "I think my daughter is allergic to something in my breastmilk b/c she's been screaming after her feedings". So we all suggested things to try..including a formula and she said "I'd rather her be fussy from the breastmilk than have to rely on formula".
It just kind of makes you feel badly sometimes...like by not breastfeeding I am doing my child a disservice. I don't put that in my head, other people can tend to do that.
Thanks for your responses ladies! I do appreciate it, and I hear what you are saying about the antibodies. It makes sense.
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| Posted 4/20/07 8:41 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
as a nursing mom of a baby with allergies, in order to continue on , I REALLY have to believe in the product. I think its a mindset.
I can't eat milk or soy products...some ask, why not go to formula? I explain the benefits of BM. In no way am I trying to sound preachy or that they are doing wrong by FF but I have to constantly remind myself that it is best.
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| Posted 4/20/07 8:52 AM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Posted by Janice
as a nursing mom of a baby with allergies, in order to continue on , I REALLY have to believe in the product. I think its a mindset.
I can't eat milk or soy products...some ask, why not go to formula? I explain the benefits of BM. In no way am I trying to sound preachy or that they are doing wrong by FF but I have to constantly remind myself that it is best.
I completely understand your mindset and applaud you for it!!
But..one question b/c I am curious-I know someone who has breastfed her baby for 6 months-this baby is 100% allergic to something in her mothers diet they cannot pinpoint. She has had bloody diarrhea, screaming in pain etc...this mom was in tears talking to me about it..and how she never sleeps. Now if you saw your child in pain b.c of something from breastmilk and the elimination diets were not working, wouldn't you (not meaning specifically YOU, meaning anyone) switch to something that would appease those symptoms??
I feel that as much as I would want to breastfeed, in that circumstance breastmilk is certainly not best. I cant really understand that moms mentality. I feel for the baby. I know she is a rare case though, most moms prob do not let their kids go through that...
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| Posted 4/20/07 8:56 AM |
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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Posted by Janice
It is a benefit of breastfeeding, antibodies are being passed through that are not found in formula.
The nursing baby actually gives your body the germ, your body reacts and by the next feeding, the proper antibodies for that germ will start manufacturing.
Is it fool proof? of course not. But I do believe it reduces the sickness or severity.
I agree with this 100%.
When I was bf'ing & came down with a virus, the pediatirican told me to continue to nurse because the antibodies were in the breast milk & the baby probably would not get sick.
It definitely isn't foolproof. I nursed Maddie from the beginning. She came down with cox sackie (from her brother) at 2 weeks old. I got cox sackie AFTER she did.
Honestly, unless you're going for walks, I would not have a newborn around a lot of people. It's not worth the chance - breastfeeding or not.
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| Posted 4/20/07 9:08 AM |
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Janice
Sweet Jessie Quinn
Member since 5/05 27567 total posts
Name:
Janice
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
maureen-I agree, if elimination did not work, I would have went right to formula. I think if a mom's state of mind is affected by BFimg, of if baby is in pain, def take another route
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| Posted 4/20/07 9:14 AM |
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AnnBrunoXO
2 Girls For Me!
Member since 5/05 4377 total posts
Name:
MaMMa
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Although breastfeeding is great for your child because the mother's milk contains antibodies - i don't agree that a formula feed baby is always at higher risk of getting sick quicker or earlier - at least from my experience so far with my daughter.
I breastfeed for a month and my milk supply wasn't so great to begin with and so we started to then give my daughter formula from then on. At the same time - her 2 cousins were both breastfeeding and I can't tell you how many ear infections, colds and fevers these children have had. My daughter is 14 months and has never had a fever or ear infection.....
not to say it won't happen soon.....
but based on my experience - Im learning not to believe everything I hear.
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| Posted 4/20/07 9:21 AM |
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maybebaby
LIF Adult
Member since 11/05 6870 total posts
Name:
Maureen
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Posted by Janice
maureen-I agree, if elimination did not work, I would have went right to formula. I think if a mom's state of mind is affected by BFimg, of if baby is in pain, def take another route
This is exactly what I meant. I don't understand this lady who tells me about how she is at her wits end b.c of her daughters screaming/diarrhea. But she wont' heed advice of others and give formula a try.
She is missing out on all these months that could be so much more enjoyable. I want to yell at her that formula feeding will not make her less of a mother!
Elimination is clearly not working OR she is not elimiating everything she should...time to move on!
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| Posted 4/20/07 9:28 AM |
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btrflygrl
me and baby #3!
Member since 5/05 12013 total posts
Name:
Shana
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
I think alot of it is exposure....DD was a formula baby and I supplemented with 1 BM bottle a day (it's all I could pump) for only 6 weeks.
She's ONLY had 3 times where she was congested/coughed for a few days and I don't even think I'd consider it a cold, I think it was more seasonal than anything.
She had the stomach bug at 14 1/2 months old, and that is it.
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| Posted 4/20/07 9:31 AM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Posted by Janice
It is a benefit of breastfeeding, antibodies are being passed through that are not found in formula.
The nursing baby actually gives your body the germ, your body reacts and by the next feeding, the proper antibodies for that germ will start manufacturing.
Is it fool proof? of course not. But I do believe it reduces the sickness or severity.
I am sorry if you feel sensitive to this topic
I completely agree with this. I think it may be my posts that you are referring to. I just feel that with braeastfeeding I was a little more secure about bringing Jordana out in pubilc.
As Janice said, its a medical fact that breastfeeding passes the mom's antibodies to the baby, so the baby has a little extra protection. Jordana never had forumla. I pumped and nursed for her first year. BUt once she started daycare,she had plenty of colds. Its not fool proof, but I did feel that as a newborn she had more protection since she had my antibodies.
Message edited 4/20/2007 9:56:07 AM.
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| Posted 4/20/07 9:47 AM |
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beachgirl
LIF Adult
Member since 7/05 7967 total posts
Name:
sara
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Interesting topic...and I have wondered about this myself.I EBF my DD until she was 1year, since then we are still BF but she takes reg milk in a sippy cup. She has had one cold in 14 months and that was in dec. Was it because she was BF or because she doesnt go to daycare and has no older siblings coming home from school with germs? I really dont have the answer to that...I will do the same with the next child so might be able to answer this better then....
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| Posted 4/20/07 9:48 AM |
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nferrandi
too excited for words
Member since 10/05 18538 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
I BF exclusively for 5 months and DS got his first cold when he was a couple of weeks old. It was winter and he was around a lot of family, so what are you going to do. I wasn't too upset over it and it only lasted a couple of days. It never really turned into much, just a little congestion, which I do attribute to the fact I was BFing. But would/could he have gotten that same cold if he was FF, I would say so.
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| Posted 4/20/07 10:11 AM |
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pmpkn087
Life is good...
Member since 9/05 18504 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
I did not BF Steven once, and as a matter of fact, took him out two days after he came home and he hasn't gotten sick yet. Except for one ear infection, which was fluid from teething.
Once you take your baby out of the hospital, you are building up their immune system. The world is not sterile.
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| Posted 4/20/07 10:47 AM |
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Moehick
Ready for the sun!
Member since 5/05 30339 total posts
Name:
Properly perfect™
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Kerri is almost 11 months old...has never been sick no ear infection...nothing and she was FF....try not to let it bother you
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| Posted 4/20/07 10:56 AM |
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Well, as a woman who's milk never came in, and arguing with the nurse at the hospital that it probably won't (I had a breast reduction) - she told me - your a woman, you can do anything! She went on to explain all the benefits of BFing - and I'm like - yeah - they are benefits if I can actually FEED my child, but since they won't work, its pointless...
I likened it to having my legs amputated and someone telling me I can walk if I really believed I could 
I get a bit sensitive to when people ask me why I'm not BFing (what a personal question to ask someone, IMO) - when I tell them I had a breast reduction and I think my ducts were severed, I still get questioned on it...
I totally understand- if I could BF, I would, but since I can't, I am giving my child the only other food that is available to him...
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| Posted 4/20/07 11:18 AM |
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LIMOMx2
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Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Def don't let it bother you. I know plenty of BF babies that get sick all the time.
Message edited 4/20/2007 11:27:43 AM.
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| Posted 4/20/07 11:24 AM |
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Calla
My girls
Member since 7/05 4303 total posts
Name:
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
You are correct that breastfeeding does not guarantee your child won't get sick. What it does is given you a slight statistical advantage over formula. So yes there are plenty of BF babies that get sick, and plently of FF babies that don't. Yet, if you look across a large number you will see the trends. It makes no sense to look at one baby and say "well my kid didn't get sick so it must be ok". You have to look across thousands to see the difference... BF children aren't given 100% protection, they are simply statistically less likely to get sick overall.
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| Posted 4/20/07 11:42 AM |
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LIMOMx2
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Member since 5/05 24989 total posts
Name:
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Posted by Calla
You are correct that breastfeeding does not guarantee your child won't get sick. What it does is given you a slight statistical advantage over formula. So yes there are plenty of BF babies that get sick, and plently of FF babies that don't. Yet, if you look across a large number you will see the trends. It makes no sense to look at one baby and say "well my kid didn't get sick so it must be ok". You have to look across thousands to see the difference... BF children aren't given 100% protection, they are simply statistically less likely to get sick overall.
But aren't the statistics changing because of the advancement of formula?
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| Posted 4/20/07 11:46 AM |
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Calla
My girls
Member since 7/05 4303 total posts
Name:
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
I let my daughter watch TV. Statistics tell me she'd be better off developmentally with no television. But that just wasn't a realistic choice for our family, and I accept that I've made a tradeoff. I simply don't have the energy all day long to stimulate her and need a break -- and if that means 10 points lower IQ than so be it. We are all just doing the best that we can. I think its the same with BF vs FF. There are lots of valid reasons why one would choose formula, but it is a tradeoff.
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| Posted 4/20/07 12:17 PM |
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Mommy2Boys
My Boys!!!!
Member since 6/06 14437 total posts
Name:
C
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
It isn't fool proof. My aunt BF one of my cousins' and he was sick and colicky constantly. They also say BF helps prevent ear infections. My other aunt BF my cousins and they all had severe ear infections. I think the breast milk help's your child's immune system, but there are certain things that you just cannot prevent IMO.
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| Posted 4/20/07 12:27 PM |
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CkGm
They get so big, so fast :(
Member since 5/05 13848 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
I agree with you. My BF baby got RSV at 2 weeks old. BF did nothing to protect her from her grandmother who coughed all over her
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| Posted 4/20/07 1:00 PM |
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Anniegrl
I'm two!
Member since 5/05 4320 total posts
Name:
Ann
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Jackson is formula fed, and so many people tried to tell me (including DH) that BF'ing is SO much better for the baby's immune system. I argued back that it's not foolproof and that BF babies DO get sick, just like formula fed babies.
So I know how you feel; people can make you feel like you're not doing what's best for your baby by formula feeding. It's a personal decision and I try to not let it bother me.....Jackson is growing fine and has been fighting off colds now instead of his colds getting worse and worse. So his immune system is doing just fine. I don't regret formula feeding him at all.......
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| Posted 4/20/07 1:11 PM |
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Diane
Hope is Contagious....catch it
Member since 5/05 30683 total posts
Name:
D
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Re: A question about breastfeeding and immunity (NOT a breastfeeding vs formula debate!!)
Posted by Anniegrl
Jackson is formula fed, and so many people tried to tell me (including DH) that BF'ing is SO much better for the baby's immune system. I argued back that it's not foolproof and that BF babies DO get sick, just like formula fed babies.
So I know how you feel; people can make you feel like you're not doing what's best for your baby by formula feeding. It's a personal decision and I try to not let it bother me.....Jackson is growing fine and has been fighting off colds now instead of his colds getting worse and worse. So his immune system is doing just fine. I don't regret formula feeding him at all.......
I agree with you.
My fried breastfed and as soon as he entered daycare he got sick a lot.
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| Posted 4/20/07 1:47 PM |
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