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Breastfeeding reduces
the risk of cot death
30th April 2008 |
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New advice launches Save a Baby Month
The Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths (FSID) today
announces its latest advice that breastfeeding your baby can reduce
the risk of cot death. The advice, released to launch FSID’s cot
death awareness drive Save a Baby Month which runs from 1-31 May, is
based on research which showed that babies who were at least partly
breastfed were one-third less likely to die as a cot death than
babies who were never breastfed (1).
FSID Director, Joyce Epstein, says: “There are so many reasons why
breast is best, but there are none that can be stronger than
potentially saving your child’s life. We encourage every new mum to
breastfeed.”
Angela Griffin, FSID’s celebrity patron, breastfed both of her
daughters and says: “Realising you’re the only person in the world
who can give your child exactly what they need is such a great
feeling.”
Sally Inch, infant feeding specialist at Oxford Radcliffe National
Health Service Trust, says: “The more we discover about
breastfeeding, the more important it becomes. Not only does
breastfeeding provide the baby with all the nutrients needed, in a
form that cannot be replicated artificially, but a baby who is
breastfed is at reduced risk of infections (particularly gut, ear,
chest and urine infections) and less likely to be hospitalised as a
result.” (2)
Any breastfeeding, even a few days, is better than none, but most
authorities including the Department of Health now recommend that
babies be exclusively breastfed for at least six months and that
breastfeeding is continued, with the addition of appropriate weaning
foods, for as long as the mother and baby want.
If you need breastfeeding advice or support, please contact your
midwife, lactation consultant or or ring the Australian
Breastfeeding Association Helpline:
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ACT/Southern New South Wales |
(02) 6258 8928
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| New
South Wales |
(02) 8853 4999
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Queensland |
(07) 3844 8977 or
(07) 3844 8166 |
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Townsville |
(07) 4723 5566 |
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Cairns |
(07) 4058 0007 |
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Toowoomba |
(07) 4639 2401 |
| South
Australia and NT |
(08) 8411 0050
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Northern Territory counsellor contact line |
(08) 8411 0301 |
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Tasmania |
(03) 6223 2609
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Tasmania - North |
(03) 6331 2799
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Victoria |
(03) 9885 0653
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Western Australia |
(08) 9340 1200 |
Cot death is still the biggest killer of babies over one month old
in the UK today, claiming the lives of around 300 infants every
year.
Source:
http://www.fsid.org.uk/breastfeeding-news.html
References:
(i)
McVea KL, Turner PD, Peppler DK. The role of breastfeeding in sudden
infant death syndrome. J Hum Lact. 2000; 16: 13-20.
(ii) Ip S, Chung M, Raman G, Chew P, Magula N, DeVine D, et al.
Breastfeeding and maternal and infant health outcomes in developed
countries. Evidence report/technology assessment No. 153 (prepared
by Tufts-New England Medical Center Evidence-based Practice Center,
under contract No. 290-02-0022) Agency for Healthcare Research
and Quality; 2007. p. 1-186.
http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/tp/brfouttp.htm
(iii) Quigley MA, Kelly YJ and Sacker A. Breastfeeding and
Hospitalization for Diarrheal and Respiratory Infection in the
United Kingdom Millennium Cohort Study, Pediatrics
2007;119;e837-e842
http://www.pediatrics.org/cgi/content/full/119/4/e837
Disclaimer
The
information contained on this website is of a general nature and is
designed for educational purposes only. The information is not meant
to replace the recommendations or advise of your midwife or doctor.
Please consult your midwife or doctor regarding your health care.
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