Heathly Kids: Breastfeeding

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – Three research studies were published this week on the benefits of breastfeeding.  Here to talk about how breastfeeding leads to smarter adults, lower arsenic exposure and affects on the immune system is Dr. Annette St. Pierre-MacKoul.

Breastfeeding for longer leads to smarter adults:

A study of 3500 infants over 30 years.
First long term study on intelligence.
Improves educational attainment and earning ability.
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Benefits / Recommendations with Breastfeeding:

Reduces the prevalence of infectious diseases and mortality.
Exclusive breastfeeding for first 6 months of life.
Continue breastfeeding with solid foods from 6 mo – 1 year.
Breastmilk = Gold Standard for nutrition.
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Results of Breastfeeding for a year:

Increase in adult intelligence = 4 IQ points
Longer schooling time = 1 more year of schooling
Higher adult earning potential = $104 per month or more on average.
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Breastfeeding and Early Immune System Development:

Susceptibility to asthma and allergy affected by bacteria in gut.
Bacteria in the gut is affected by gestational age, breastfeeding and Cesarean section delivery.
‘Hygiene Hypothesis’
Immune System needs exposure to bacteria on a grand scale.
Limiting bacterial exposure limits the ability of the immune system to work optimally.
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Breastfed Babies have lower exposure to arsenic:

Arsenic is a naturally occurring element found in water, rock, soil, air, plants and animals.
High arsenic exposure leads to fetal death, low birth weight, low cognitive function.
Usual exposure for a baby is water, particularly from wells.
Result:  arsenic level is 7.5 times lower in breast fed infants.

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