BF question

I am 5 months PG, and am trying to decide whether or not to BF, and I just have 1 question. I know they say that it helps to reduce ear infections, but I don't understand how. I thought the reason babies were prone to ear infections from feeding was if they were lying too "flat" and fluid was collecting in their eustacian tubes. But when BF'ing, doesn't the baby lie flat to feed? More so than if you had them propped in your arm to feed a bottle?

Re: BF question

Ear infections also result from colds... I have a good friend who has a 1 year old who got a cold which then progressed into an upper respiratory infection and then progressed into an ear infection... he was sick for about 4 weeks because of it

Re: BF question

Molly was bf for a year and got ear infections anyway...but she didn't nurse so maybe that was why. There are also antibodies to help your baby reduce their risk of many illness in bm.

Re: BF question

The antibodies the baby gets from you are what is supposed to be good for them. I'm 5 months too, and have decided that I will try it and if it works out...great, if it doesn't then I'm not going to be mad. I've read that even if you can only do it for the first few days it's good for them. I only plan to do it for like three months if it works out, I also plan on pumping so that DH and other people can feed the baby too! Good luck with your decision!

Re: BF question

The majority of ear infections in infants are misdiagnosed - I read it was something like 80%. It's fluid in the ear that causes some pain, not infected fluid.

I breastfed Maddie almost as upright as I possibly could - not for ear infections but for gas.

Joseph had many ear infections (or at least diagnosed with many). At one point, the antibiotics were almost monthly - so I started him on acidipholus (sp?) to counter them. Worked like a charm.

Re: BF question

Yes, its the antibodies the babies get from BM that's good for them. I BF Andrew for one year, and he's never had an ear infection (knock on wood). I know mom's who also BF exclusively and their kids got ear infections. So its a tough call.

Re: BF question

Besides the antibodies, I've heard it also has something to do with the movement of the baby's jaw when they BF. A baby moves their jaw much more, and wider, than if they bottle feed, and it helps clear out the ear canal (think about when you are on a plane and need to equalize your ears). Feeding on a bottle, they don't move their jaw very much. They also have the wide-neck bottles to use if you BF and you can see the difference in how wide the baby has to open his mouth to use it.