Monday, March 10, 2008

The March 4 front-page article "Immune Systems Increasingly on Attack" noted that allergies and diseases of the immune system have tripled in the last few decades and that respected scientists suspect trends in modern living such as "super hygiene" are the cause. These physicians are researching remedies such as feeding high-risk children gradually larger amounts of allergy-inducing foods or even using parasitic worms.

Nowhere was it mentioned that an increasing number of newborns are not being breast-fed or are only partially breast-fed.

As a lactation consultant, I can attest that breast milk provides the perfect foundation for developing the immune system. Studies show a decreased incidence of childhood allergies with breast-feeding, in addition to other benefits too numerous to name here.

But new mothers don't stand a chance, as baby formula is so aggressively marketed. Infant formula is a growth industry in the United States, and a majority of hospitals readily accept free formula. We need to get our hospitals, physicians and scientists to support the ideal nutritional start for babies -- breastfeeding -- the ultimate preventive medicine.

MARION LAMB

Fairfax