Breastfeeding Reduces the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

Breastfeeding has a protective effect against Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), especially when the mother is breastfeeding exclusively, according to a meta-analysis published in June in Pediatrics (the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics).

The authors reviewed available literature (between 1966 and 2009) to evaluate the association between breastfeeding and the risk of SIDS. A total of 18 studies (out of the 288 found in the review) were identified as suitable to be included in the meta-analysis.

It was found that there was a significantly decreased risk of SIDS for infants who received any amount of breastmilk for any duration. There was also a significant decrease in the risk of SIDS for any child still breastfeeding at age 2 months or older.

The authors conclude that there is evidence that suggests that breastfeeding, to any extent and of any duration, does protect the baby against SIDS and its effect is stronger when the mother is breastfeeding exclusively. They recommend that breastfeeding should be included in the SIDS risk-reduction messages. This is to both reduce the risk of SIDS and to promote breastfeeding because of its other maternal and infant health benefits.

Fern R. Hauck, John M. D. Thompson, Kawai O. Tanabe, Rachel Y. Moon and Mechtild M. Vennemann. "Breastfeeding and Reduced Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: A Meta-analysis". Pediatrics. Published 13 June 2011, 10.1542/peds.2010-3000

ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN BREASMILK?

Recent news items have brought up once again the question of chemical contaminants in cow's milk, goat's milk and breastmilk. It is important to note that levels of contaminants in breastmilk have fallen sharply in recent years (see a study by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health and that the risks of not breastfeeding are far higher than using other feeding methods.

LLLI stated in a press release in 2006 that: "A discussion of this topic is incomplete without pointing out the well-documented nutritional inadequacies and detrimental health consequences of artificial baby milk, which may be contaminated both as products of the same environment and through manufacturing. In addition, human milk, unlike manufactured formula, does not add to the ecological burden of the planet."

For further information visit llli.org/nb/nbtoxins and International Baby Food Network

MORE NEW LLL GROUPS

We are pleased to announce the start up of more new LLL Local Groups. LLL London Fields, LLL Axe Valley, LLL Barnsley and LLL Sidmouth and E Devon. All these groups are part of the Ten New Groups project, funded by the Department of Health. Contact details will be announced soon.

LLLGB RESPONSE TO BMJ ARTICLE QUESTIONING RECOMMENDATION ON WHEN TO INTRODUCE SOLID FOODS

La Leche League has been providing breastfeeding information and support to parents for over fifty years. We support the view of The World Health Organisation (WHO), The Department of Health (DH), and other eminent organisations, that infants should be exclusively breastfed for around the first six months of life to achieve optimal growth, development and health. Thereafter, to meet their evolving nutritional requirements, infants should receive appropriate complementary foods alongside continued breastfeeding.

When WHO recommended this policy it was based on a systematic review of 3,000 studies on infant feeding. The article the British Medical Journal published, on 14 January 2011, suggesting that babies need solids earlier than six months of age, is not a new research study or a systematic review of all available evidence...

Read La Leche League GB's full response here, and further responses from Unicef Baby Friendly Initiative, and Baby Milk Action.

See also our Starting Solid Foods leaflet, and the book Baby Led Weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. Available from LLLGB SHOP.

MORE NEW LLL GROUPS

We are pleased to announce the start up of more new LLL Local Groups. LLL Torridge & NW Devon, LLL North Bucks and LLL Letchworth. Torridge and North Bucks are part of the Ten New Groups project, funded by the Department of Health. See England groups page for phone contact details and website info.

NEW STUDY INTO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BED SHARING AND BREASTFEEDING

This study used prospective, population-based data to investigate nocturnal bed sharing at 5 time points from birth to 4 years of age. The study concluded that the prevalence of breastfeeding was significantly higher among the groups that shared beds constantly or early for each of the first 15 months after birth. Read more details here

KANGAROO CARE SAVES PREM BABY

Kangaroo Care was piloted in developing countries where there were no incubators to provide care for prem babies. Now it is being recognised in developed countries that keeping a prem baby skin-to-skin with his mother after birth can help stabilise a baby's systems and improve outcomes. This story shows just how this simple measure can achieve miracles. Read more.

NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING WEEK CELEBRATION AT HOUSE OF COMMONS

The Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition hosted a National Breastfeeding Week celebration at the House of Commons. The event was attended by the Chair of LLLGB, Anna Burbidge, who said it was a pleasure to be amongst so many people who recognised the importance of breastfeeding, not only to women, babies and families, but to society as a whole. View video footage and photos of the event. See Anna in photos 33 and 34. All images copyright and courtesy of Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition.

A number of new Members of Parliament signed up to pledge their support to the Breastfeeding Manifesto. The event was attended by members of the BMC and chaired by TV sports presenter and athlete Charlie Webster. Speakers included Graham Allen MP and BMC steering group members Dr Judith Meek, RCPCH and Alison Baum, Best Beginnings.

The Breastfeeding Manifesto sets out the 7 challenges and solutions to ensure that every child in the UK gets an equal chance to be as healthy as possible. The Department of Health and World Health Organisation recommend exclusive breastfeeding for at least the first six months of life. The Manifesto outlines ways in which that can be achieved, including ensuring that all UK health services achieve UNICEF's baby friendly status and that mothers are supported to breastfeed on return to work and in public places.

The Manifesto is supported by over 40 organisations including 5 royal medical colleges, trade unions and a range of family and child health support organisations and charities established to prevent and cure specific conditions which breastfeeding can prevent or ease in mothers and babies. La Leche League GB is proud to be a member of the Breastfeeding Manifesto Coalition.

NATIONAL BREASTFEEDING WEEK 2010

This week we are recognising the value of breastfeeding to mums and babies - however long they choose to feed, because research shows that every day really does count. Read LLLGB's press release.

LLL ST NEOTS

We are pleased to announce the start of a new LLL Local Group in Cambridgeshire. See England groups page for phone contact details. Email for further details of meetings to LLL_StNeots[AT]yahoo.co.uk (replacing the [AT] with @).

BREASTFEEDING OLDER CHILDREN by ANN SINNOTT

Recently published, this book by Ann Sinnott is a thought provoking read, challenging society's assumptions that only babies should breastfeed. Read more.

Note: Ann Sinnot was an active member of LLL for many years, and began working towards accreditation as an LLL Leader. Life got in the way of completion however, and her passion for supporting mothers evolved into other areas. This book reflects the experiences of 2040 mothers (representing 4038 children), from 48 countries, who responded to the author's survey.

This book has now passed the LLL approvals process and is available for sale in LLLGB SHOP. Please note that parts of the book do not necessarily reflect the views of La Leche League.

LLL SOMERSET LEVELS

We are pleased to announce the start of a new LLL Local Group in Somerset. See England groups page for phone contact details.

BREASTFEEDING IS THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENCE IN A DISASTER

La Leche League issued the following media release emphasising the importance of breastfeeding and, if this is not possible, wet-nursing in disaster situations such as Haiti.

Read the joint statement on wet-nursing issued by Unicef, World Health Organisation and Pan America Health Organisation, and a press release by International Lactation Consultant Association.

LLLGB'S RESPONSE TO GMTV BREASTFEEDING SURVEY

Dear GMTV

I am contacting you on behalf of La Leche League, GB, an organisation which offers support and information to women who are thinking of, or who are, breastfeeding. Several of our members have drawn our attention to the GMTV survey on Breastfeeding. Having looked at this we share their concern at the wording and bias of the questions asked.

The survey starts by asking if the person completing it thinks breastfeeding is something "women shouldn't do". After any birth a woman produces milk which is meant for her baby and contains unique structures which can never be replicated in formula. Breastmilk gives babies all the nutrients they need for the first six months of life and helps protect them from infection, diseases and, in later life, obesity and other illnesses. A breastfed baby is five times less likely to be hospitalised with gastroenteritis and, on average, will visit the doctor 15% less. It is also beneficial to the mother's health. A woman may chose not to breastfeed but to suggest it might be something she shouldn't do is as nonsensical as asking if giving birth vaginally is something women shouldn't do.

The survey asks if women should be "allowed" to breastfeed in public. In fact the mother is not breastfeeding, the baby is, and there is absolutely no law against breastfeeding in a public space. It is, in fact, discrimination and in Scotland it is an offence to ask a mother to stop feeding her baby, while in England and Wales the mother can sue under the Sex Discrimination Act.

In question Nine the question talks about "breasts being displayed" which is a very inaccurate and offensive way to describe a woman nurturing her baby. Many women are very apprehensive about feeding in public and do not want to draw attention to themselves. They certainly are not "displaying" themselves. The answer to this question of yes/no is also very unclear because of the way the question is phrased. To answer no, which would seem to be the answer if you do not mind women breastfeeding, leads to a double negative which might mean someone is answering yes when they mean no, so this question will not have reliable results.

Question 11 - Is it wrong to breastfeed over twelve months? - is again a very loaded question. Both the Department of Health and the World Health Organisation recommend breastfeeding up to and beyond two years. The physiological process of weaning is complex and involves many gradual adjustments for both mother and child. Human milk continues to complement and boost the immune system for as long as it is offered and research on the incidence of illness in breastfed or weaned toddlers reflects these dynamics. It cannot be "wrong" for a baby to continue receiving emotional, nutritional and immunological benefits so it is a decision only those involved should make. If people do not have knowledge of the many benefits they may answer this question without enough information.

With Question 12 - What age should a woman stop breastfeeding? - this is not something that can have a hard and fast rule. It's a natural process for children to outgrow breastfeeding on their own and allows for differences in children. Some will be ready to wean earlier than others. We do not expect all children to get teeth at the same age, to talk or walk at the same time or to be out of nappies by a set date. In the same way there cannot be a set age for breastfeeding to stop. Children mature at varying rates and will wean at different times. The aim is to finish when both mother and child feel good about it.

In conclusion we feel that the way this survey is worded could lead to results which will be heavily skewed against breastfeeding in public and extended breastfeeding, which goes against efforts to support women to breastfeed. Nine out of ten women who want to breastfeed give up in the early weeks, and many of them say that feeling unable to breastfeed in public spaces was a factor in this. Yet just a 10% increase in breastfeeding in the UK could lead to 3900 fewer cases of sickness and diarrhoea in babies which would save the health service £2.6 million. For the health of mothers, babies and their babies we should be encouraging breastfeeding not making it into something unacceptable.

Yours sincerely,

Anna Burbidge
Chair, Council of Directors, La Leche League GB

FURTHER RESEARCH ON CO-SLEEPING AND SIDS
BMJ 2009;339:b3666

A new study has investigated the factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and the specific circumstances in which SIDS occurs while cosleeping (infant sharing the same bed or sofa with an adult or child). A control group considered at high risk of SIDS (young, socially deprived, multiparous mothers who smoked) was compared with a randomly selected control group.

The study concluded that many of the SIDS infants had coslept in a hazardous environment but that the major influences on risk, regardless of markers for socioeconomic deprivation, are amenable to change and specific advice needs to be given, particularly on use of alcohol or drugs before cosleeping and cosleeping on a sofa.
Read the research.

RUGBY BREASTFEEDING CAFE CALENDAR

This suppport group for mums in Rugby is raising funds and promoting breastfeeding through a calendar featuring local mothers. The RBC is using the calendar to promote other breastfeeding friendly organisations and companies too. See the calendar here

NEW LLL LOCAL GROUP ON ISLE OF MAN

We are delighted to announce the formation of a new LLL Local Group on the Isle of Man. It has been some years since there was last an LLL group on the island, so we are particularly pleased that Manx mothers will, once again, be able to access LLL support close to home. For contact details go to groups and scroll down to ISLE OF MAN.

Note: we are aware that the IOM is a separate entity to the UK, and hope that you won't be offended at our putting it on the English Counties page!

BREASTFEEDING AND SWINE FLU

With the publicity surrounding the Swine Flu Outbreak, La Leche League GB offers information which may answer some of the questions which will arise regarding protection of babies from infection.

Guidance from medical experts states that pregnant women should be encouraged to initiate breastfeeding early after birth and feed frequently. Breastfeeding provides a safe, reliable food source, full of disease-fighting cells and antibodies that help protect infants from germs and illnesses.

Mothers exposed to influenza produce specific protection for infants which is transmitted through breastmilk. Infant formula does not provide these specific infection fighting properties and formula fed babies are particularly vulnerable to respiratory illness.

Women can continue to breastfeed while receiving antiviral medications and if a woman is ill she should continue to breastfeed and increase frequency. The risk of H1N1 (swine) flu transmission through breastmilk is unknown but reports of seasonal flu being transmitted are rare. By the time a mother begins showing symptoms of the flu her infant has already been exposed. Her milk can provide additional protection for the infant from complications of the flu, such as severe respiratory symptoms, diarrhoea, other gastrointestinal infections and dehydration (alongside other measures such as hand washing).

If the mother or infant is too ill to breastfeed directly at the breast a mother can pump and feed her breast milk to her baby.

This statement from the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action calls upon everyone involved in improving the health and development of infants and young children to take steps to ensure that continued breastfeeding 6-24+ months is protected, promoted and supported as the precondition for, and foundation of, appropriate complementary feeding. Twenty steps for action encompassing communication, education and promotion; practical support; breastfeeding as part of complementary feeding; definitions and monitoring; addressing misinformation through marketing and special circumstances are described.

Read the full statement

After the recent sad deaths of two of La Leche League's founders, the NY Times publishes a moving obituary of Edwina Froehlich and traces the history of LLL from the time when it was seen as a radical, feminist organisation through the period when breastfeeding was seen as a hippie thing to do (even though "those of us who started it were staid middle-class ladies,” ) through to the 21st century when almost all of LLL's ideas are now considered to be mainstream.

GUARDIAN ARTICLE ASKS
"Why isn't there more research into parenting regimes for infants?"

The article quotes from a recent study into how different parenting styles affect babies. The study shows, amongst other things, that rigid routines for young babies lead to an early cessation of breastfeeding.

See our information sheet Rhythms and Routines for ideas of how to develop and adapt gentle daily routines to match your own and your baby's natural rhythms.

We are pleased to share with the LLL community that on December 4th, in Buenos Aires, the Congress of Argentina approved a law that requires all public offices to provide a special pumping room for breastfeeding mothers.

Monica Tesone, a Leader of LLL Argentina for over 20 years and DPLA (PL Administrator for the International Division) had a crucial role in the passing of this law. Monica works part-time as advisor to congresswoman Victoria Morales Gorleri, who proposed the law drafted by Monica.

Before the session began, Congresswoman Morales and her team placed in each of the lawmakers' desks, taped to the buttons with which laws are voted on, a small card with the LLL logo and two chocolates and a text that read "One of these chocolates was wrapped in a public toilet, which one would you eat?"

Nobody understood what was going on; they were all looking around wondering who had placed the chocolates on their desks. When it was Congresswoman's Morales turn to speak, she began by asking her colleagues "Would you eat in the restroom (toilet)?" Her objective was to show them the situation that thousands of babies experience every day, when they drink the milk their mothers have expressed in a public restroom , the most contaminated room in a workplace. She also publicly thanked LLLI for the support to breastfeeding mothers and the "chocolate initiative". Her colleagues were deeply touched by her speech and she received thunderous applause and cheers when she finished.

Hours later, the law was approved.

A new free DVD entitled 'From Bump to Breastfeeding' has been launched by a fellow breastfeeding charity BEST BEGINNINGS. The DVD follows real mothers' stories... Read our press release

Read about our achievements in the financial year 2007-08
Annual Review and Financial Statement for Year Ended 31 March 2008.
(Note: these links lead to PDF documents, which may take a little time to open).