Breastfeeding may boost “good” cholesterol

Mon, Nov 5, 2007 (Reuters) - The list of health benefits to children who were breast-fed as babies is growing, with research unveiled on Monday showing they are more likely as adults to have higher levels of “good” cholesterol.Numerous studies have shown babies whose mothers breast-fed them enjoy health advantages over formula-fed babies. These include fewer ear, stomach or intestinal infections, digestive problems, skin diseases and allergies, and less likelihood of developing high blood pressure, diabetes and obesity.

Now, a study presented at an American Heart Association meeting found that breast-fed babies are better off in two important heart disease risk factors as adults than bottle-fed babies — levels of “good” HDL cholesterol and body mass index.

The study looked at 962 people, average age 41, taking part in the long-running Framingham Heart Study centered on Framingham, Massachusetts. About a quarter of the children were breast-fed for at least a month as babies.

Those who were breast-fed were 55 percent more likely to have high average levels of high-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol in adulthood than low levels.

Those who were breast-fed on average had a lower body mass index, or BMI, as adults — 26.1 compared to 26.9 for the bottle-fed counterparts. Adults with a BMI above 25 are considered overweight and at higher risk for heart disease.

Having a higher HDL is considered protective against cardiovascular disease like stroke and heart attack. People with a lower BMI also have a risk for cardiovascular disease.

These cholesterol and BMI differences were modest but significant, according to Dr. Nisha Parikh of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, who led the study.

“The results are intriguing in that they point to this concept that early nutrition or early environmental exposures may affect long-term health,” Parikh said in an interview.

Breast-feeding was not associated with benefits in other heart disease risk factors that the researchers examined, including total cholesterol and blood pressure.

The mothers of all the people tracked in the research were also part of the Framingham study.

What you can do:

Breastfeed your child if you can. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding your baby for at least the first year of life, and longer if both you and your child wish to continue.

• Learn how to get started breastfeeding and what to do if you need help.

• Having trouble breastfeeding? Use our Breastfeeding Problem Solver, or find support on our bulletin board.
– Will Dunham

   Most moms have a sixth sense when it comes to parenting. Beginning with the birth of a child, or sometimes before, an immediate instinct; a signal if you will, instantly hones in on the baby’s every need. While there are some who do not have the ability to take on the role of parent; the majority however, do. The confidence to follow your own parenting instincts is an inherent trait, and one which we will explore in this article.

Long before Dr. Spock, whether confident or not, parenting skills were instinctual. Moms could sense, merely by a child’s cry, what needed to be done. There weren’t any books or instructions that came with the baby; nor were there any video tapes on how to be a good parent. What did exist were friends and family members who a mom could reach out to if she felt she couldn’t handle a specific situation.

Today, there are many tools available to help moms and dads become good parents. Is it necessary? Perhaps too much information can contribute to the lack of confidence a parent may have. Instead of relying on their own instincts, they are immediately thrust into the world of information overload. In addition, the advice given is sometimes conflicting and confusing, which frustrates the parents even more. Faced with the many decisions they have to make, parents’ responsibility for the child becomes pressure-packed, thus producing indecisiveness and an inability to cope.

It doesn’t have to be this way. If you learn to trust your own maternal instincts, you will never be led astray. Throw away the books; learn to be flexible, and try other methods and approaches when parenting. While you may think you’re alone, you’re not. There are family members and professionals who are there to help in any case scenario. Relax.

Don’t take things too seriously. Enjoy being a parent; yes you’ll make mistakes, but what you learn from them will be invaluable. Whether you believe it or not, you do have the confidence to follow your own parenting instincts; that’s all you’ll ever need.