Maybe it is because breast fed babies have smarter mommies?

It may be genetic, sorta like the autism link lie but this one is
valid?

DrCee

DW: Your Point? PA

DCS:
Excerpts From:
Breast-Feeding Best Bet for Babies
by Rebecca D. Williams
USFDA

When Formula's Necessary

There are very few medical reasons why a mother shouldn't breast-
feed,
according to Lawrence.

Most common illnesses, such as colds, flu, skin infections, or
diarrhea, cannot be passed through breast milk. In fact, if a mother
has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that
will help protect her baby from those same illnesses.

A few viruses can pass through breast milk, however. HIV, the virus
that causes AIDS, is one of them. Women who are HIV positive should
not breast-feed.

A few other illnesses--such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta
streptococcus infections--can also be transmitted through breast
milk.
But that doesn't always mean a mother with those diseases shouldn't
breast-feed, Lawrence says.

"Each case must be evaluated on an individual basis with the woman's
doctor," she says.

Breast cancer is not passed through breast milk. Women who have had
breast cancer can usually breast-feed from the unaffected breast.
There is some concern that the hormones produced during pregnancy and
lactation may trigger a recurrence of cancer, but so far this has not
been proven. Studies have shown, however, that breast-feeding a child
reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer later.

Silicone breast implants usually do not interfere with a woman's
ability to nurse, but if the implants leak, there is some concern
that
the silicone may harm the baby. Some small studies have suggested a
link between breast-feeding with implants and later development of
problems with the child's esophagus. Further studies are needed in
this area. But if a woman with implants wants to breast-feed, she
should first discuss the potential benefits and risks with her
child's
doctor.

Possible Problems:
For all its health benefits, breast-feeding does have some
disadvantages. In the early weeks, it can be painful. A woman's
nipples may become sore or cracked. She may experience engorgement
more than a bottle-feeding mother, when the breasts become so full of
milk they're hard and painful. Some nursing women also develop
clogged
milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, a painful infection of the
breast. While most nursing problems can be solved with home remedies,
mastitis requires prompt medical care (see accompanying article).

Another possible disadvantage of nursing is that it affects a woman's
entire lifestyle. A nursing mother with baby-in-tow must wear clothes
that enable her to nurse anywhere, or she'll have to find a private
place to undress. She should eat a balanced diet and she might need
to
avoid foods that irritate the baby. She also shouldn't smoke, which
can cause vomiting, diarrhea and restlessness in the baby, as well as
decreased milk production.

Women who plan to go back to work soon after birth will have to plan
carefully if they want to breast-feed. If her job allows, a new
mother
can pump her breast milk several times during the day and refrigerate
or freeze it for the baby to take in a bottle later. Or, some women
alternate nursing at night and on weekends with daytime bottles of
formula.

In either case, a nursing mother is physically tied to her baby more
than a bottle-feeding mother. The baby needs her for nourishment, and
she needs to nurse regularly to avoid getting uncomfortably full
breasts. But instead of feeling it's a chore, nursing mothers often
cite this close relationship as one of the greatest joys of nursing.
Besides, nursing mothers can get away between feedings if they need a
break.

Finally, some women just don't feel comfortable with the idea of
nursing. They don't want to handle their breasts, or they want to
think of them as sexual, not functional. They may be concerned about
modesty and the possibility of having to nurse in public. They may
want a break from child care to let someone else feed the baby,
especially in the wee hours of the morning.

If a woman is unsure whether she wants to nurse, she can try it for a
few weeks and switch if she doesn't like it. It's very difficult to
switch to breast-feeding after bottle-feeding is begun.

If she plans to breast-feed, a new mother should learn as much as
possible about it before the baby is born. Obstetricians,
pediatricians, childbirth instructors, nurses, and midwives can all
offer information about nursing. But perhaps the best ongoing support
for a nursing mother is someone who has successfully nursed a baby.

La Leche League, a national support organization for nursing mothers,
has chapters in many cities that meet regularly to discuss breast-
feeding problems and offer support.

"We encourage mothers to come to La Leche League before their babies
are born," says Mary Lofton, a league spokeswoman. "On-the-job
training is hard to do. It's so important to learn how to breast-feed
beforehand to avoid problems."

Interested women or couples are welcome to attend La Leche League
meetings without charge. League leaders offer advice by phone as
well.
To find a convenient La Leche League chapter, call (1-800) LA-LECHE.

Rebecca D. Williams is a writer in Oak Ridge, Tenn.

Medicines and Nursing Mothers
Most medications have not been tested in nursing women, so no one
knows exactly how a given drug will affect a breast-fed child. Since
very few problems have been reported, however, most over-the-counter
and prescription drugs, taken in moderation and only when necessary,
are considered safe.

Even mothers who must take daily medication for conditions such as
epilepsy, diabetes, or high blood pressure can usually breast-feed.
They should first check with the child's pediatrician, however. To
minimize the baby's exposure, the mother can take the drug just after
nursing or before the child sleeps. In the January 1994 issue of
Pediatrics, the American Academy of Pediatrics included the following
in a list of drugs that are usually compatible with breast-feeding:

acetaminophen
many antibiotics
antiepileptics (although one, Primidone, should be given with
caution)
most antihistamines
alcohol in moderation (large amounts of alcohol can cause drowsiness,
weakness, and abnormal weight gain in an infant)
most antihypertensives
aspirin (should be used with caution)
caffeine (moderate amounts in drinks or food)
codeine
decongestants
ibuprofen
insulin
quinine
thyroid medications

Drugs That Are NOT Safe While Nursing
Some drugs can be taken by a nursing mother if she stops breast-
feeding for a few days or weeks. She can pump her milk and discard it
during this time to keep up her supply, while the baby drinks
previously frozen milk or formula.

Radioactive drugs used for some diagnostic tests like Gallium-69,
Iodine-125, Iodine-131, or Technetium-99m can be taken if the woman
stops nursing temporarily.

Drugs that should never be taken while breast-feeding include:

Bromocriptine (Parlodel): A drug for Parkinson's disease, it also
decreases a woman's milk supply.

Most Chemotherapy Drugs for Cancer: Since they kill cells in the
mother's body, they may harm the baby as well.

Ergotamine (for migraine headaches): Causes vomiting, diarrhea,
convulsions in infants.

Lithium (for manic-depressive illness): Excreted in human milk.

Methotrexate (for arthritis): Can suppress the baby's immune system.

Drugs of Abuse: Some drugs, such as cocaine and PCP, can intoxicate
the baby. Others, such as amphetamines, heroin and marijuana, can
cause a variety of symptoms, including irritability, poor sleeping
patterns, tremors, and vomiting. Babies become addicted to these
drugs.

FDA
www.fda.gov