Add breast-feeding to the protect-a-newborn checklist. (One Kardashian has)
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
Newborns need adults to protect them not just from obvious risks such as car accidents, falls and well-meaning toddlers who want to carry the baby, but also less obvious risks, such as infections. That amounts to more than simply a washing of hands. Everyone might not know this, but Kourtney Kardashian? Well, she might. (More on that later.)
A study published Monday in the journal Pediatrics parses the data on more than 4,000 infants and their risk of infections.
The researchers, based in the Netherlands, write in their conclusion:
‘Exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 4 months followed by partial breastfeeding was associated with a significant reduction of respiratory and gastrointestinal infectious diseases in infants. Exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 6 months tended to be more protective than exclusive breastfeeding until the age of 4 months and partially thereafter.’
That is, the researchers couldn’t say for sure that 6 months is better, but they’re pretty sure it is. The results aren’t especially surprising but rather more of an effort to gain data on the benefits of breast-feeding. And you know how we love data ...
The researchers recommend policies that encourage exclusive breast-feeding for at least four months. They’re pretty sure six months would be better.
Here’s the breast-feeding study; a guide to breast-feeding, courtesy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and an explanation of the Kardashian sister reference.
Apparently, the sisters are famous, and thus people pay attention to them: The Kardashian phenomenon. So, having a baby? Note Kourtney’s position; Kim’s stance is still a little unclear.
— Tami Dennis
Become a fan of our Facebook page and get a steady stream of health-and medical-related news, musings and the occasional oddity.