 Youngsters Breast-Fed as Babies Fare Better in School, Study Suggests From Wire Reports, January, 1998 CHICAGO -- A new study suggests that youngsters who were breast-fed as babies do better in school and score higher on standardized math and reading tests. The study, which tracked more than 1,000 New Zealand children through age 18, bolsters evidence that breast-feeding helps make smarter children. It appears in January's Pediatrics, the journal of the suburban Chicago-based American Academy of Pediatrics. The authors, Professors David Fergusson and L. John Horwood of Christchurch School of Medicine, subscribe to the theory that fatty acids that are present in breast milk but not in formula promote lasting brain development. Breastfeeding By Sue Sandquist, Wolfe City, Texas Breastfeed, breastfeed breastfeed, if at all possible and medically permissable. Be patient. It takes an average of four days for your milk to "come down" after your new baby has begun to nurse. The nursing activates oxytocin hormones which, via the pituitary gland, tells the body to start producing milk. During the four days while awaiting the milk, your baby will live off your colostrum fluid - all of which works quite well - and hey, no bottles to fill and warm at 2:00a.m! By April Lingle, Irving, TX As I just had my second baby three weeks ago your tips for new mothers caught my attention. I received much advice while pregnant with my 1st child. The advice I appreciated the most (as I didn't hear anything like it from anyone) was from my Aunt Andy. When the "unpleasant" topic came up of being awaken at any wee hour of the morning to feed the baby she said to enjoy it!- enjoy those late night and early morning feedings as that time lasts only a few short months and never comes again. She said it's precious, intimate time shared just between you and your baby. When I had the baby a few months later and she awoke at 2:00 a.m. I thoroughly enjoyed getting up and caring for her! Now she sleeps through the night and that time will never come again! German scientists say that their findings, which were published in the British Medical Journal on July 15, 1999, are the largest study to date regarding the link between breast feeding, bottle feeding, and obesity later in life. They have concluded that babies are less likely to grow up overweight if they are breast fed exclusively. The study tracked 9,357 children in the German State of Bavaria. It found that the longer babies were breast fed exclusively before being switched to formula or food, the less chance the child had of being overweight when starting school. Children breast fed for only the first month or two were 10% less likely to be obese by the time they entered elementary school. Children breast fed exclusively for six months were 43% less likely to be obese. Children breast fed until one year of age had a 72% better chance of avoiding obesity. This study was overseen by Dr. Rudiger von Kries, a professor of pediatrics and adolescent medicine at Ludwig Maximillians University in Munich. The Associated Press also carried the story on July 15, 1999. Additional information: Growing Families International - Professionals will teach you how to rear children to be the person you want them to become. You can even call other mothers via their 1-800 number for on-the-spot assistance. You can also chat with other new mothers and exchange helpful information for raising your children. www.parentsu.com - What do you need to know as parents about raising children? How can you receive assistance to ensure that your children develop into all they were designed to be? See www.parentsu.com.  If our materials have helped you, we would like to hear about it. Please click here to tell us your experience, and have your testimony featured on this web site. |
