Breastfeeding Vs. Formula Feeding And the Risk of Autism

Breastfeeding, Infant Formula Supplementation, and Autistic Disorder: the Results of a Parent Survey.

Schultz ST, Klonoff-Cohen HS, Wingard DL, Akshoomoff NA, Macera CA, Ji M, Bacher C.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Although autistic disorder is associated with several congenital conditions, the cause for most cases is unknown. The present study was undertaken to determine whether breastfeeding or the use of infant formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid is associated with autistic disorder. The hypothesis is that breastfeeding and use of infant formula supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid are protective for autistic disorder. METHODS: This is a case-control study using data from the Autism Internet Research Survey, an online parental survey conducted from February to April 2005 with results for 861 children with autistic disorder and 123 control children. The analyses were performed using logistic regression. RESULTS: Absence of breastfeeding when compared to breastfeeding for more than six months was significantly associated with an increase in the odds of having autistic disorder when all cases were considered (OR 2.48, 95% CI 1.42, 4.35) and after limiting cases to children with regression in development (OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01, 3.78). Use of infant formula without docosahexaenoic acid and arachidonic acid supplementation versus exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a significant increase in the odds of autistic disorder when all cases were considered (OR 4.41, 95% CI 1.24, 15.7) and after limiting cases to children with regression in development (OR 12.96, 95% CI 1.27, 132). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this preliminary study indicate that children who were not breastfed or were fed infant formula without docosahexaenoic acid/arachidonic acid supplementation were significantly more likely to have autistic disorder.

Wisps of blonde and red hair
And hands that smell like "kid"
Caress my side and breasts

Little heads wallow and make
Their nest atop my heavy breast-pillows
Made 'specially for such and occasion as this

The feeling of skin
Baby's and Mom's
Both together having the most inherent need
Of humankind met

Touch

Perhaps that's why i wear skirts and
Go cloth-less any opportunity i get
To feel my legs touch each other
And to see and touch my breasts
As my arms graze by
In their back and forth movements
In my daily tasks as a woman and mother
Of the house

While at a local store, another young woman asked me in our brief conversation, "What did u go to school to be?" i replied, "i never got to finish school, but what i want more than anything is to be a lactation consultant." She looked at me rather funny as i tried my best to educate her on the matter. She responded by saying, "i didn't know u had to be taught how to breast feed." i told her that you didn't but it was sometimes helpful to have someone teach you the basics of different positions and latch procedures. And that many times new mothers are so intimidated that they don't even want to try b/c they have heard horror stories about it hurting their nipples. She then replied, "i didn't know women still did that anymore...breastfeed" i was so shocked. It is not the norm in her culture to even thing about nurturing in that way, attachment parenting, or any of the like. So maybe i can understand why she never even saw a single person nurse a child. All my friends do, but then again, that is who i associate with. The natural parenting types. i myself am a simple, natural person and lactavist who most often times is a vegetarian. My mission in life is to school mothers on the benefits of breastfeeding and how amazing a gift it can be to a child. i am very opinionated on the use of canned formulas. i know too much behind what the are made out of to be remotely interested in mixing it up for any of my offspring, i don't believe i would give it to my dog... but me and formula that is another rant...

Extraordinary Breastfeeding?