A little off topic but . . .

[wvchinacat]

I am a La Leche League leader and a firm Breastfeeding advocate. When I was pregnant with my first child I read and learned that breastfeeding significantly reduces the risk of developing T1 diabetes. Being that my DH and his sister both have T1 - I was determined to BF as long as possible to reduce the risks for my children. 3 weeks ago my oldest (age 7) was diagnosed with T1 - and there is ap art of me that wonders if BF has anything at all to do with protecting my children. We talk about the advantages all the time with new moms - and ususally I add that it reduces the risks of many childhood illnesses, shortens the durnations of colds, and helps decrease the risks of allergies. I was wondering what type of research has been done on the diabetes side to confirm or deny that BF helps with protection toward developing T1 diabetes. Willow (my T1 dd) was BF the least amt of time - about 10 mo and my other children were BF 2yr and 3 yr respectively. I'd like to give accurate information and still help my self believe that I have given some protection to my children. Who knows maybe bc of BF Willow did not develop T1 until now versus as an infant or toddler . . .

Any thoughts or known research would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Vicki

[Amy C.]

I know there are many instances of women reporting they breast fed their child and the child later developed diabetes.

I breastfed my son exclusively for a year. I added food at a year old and weaned him at 15 months.

He developed diabetes at 3 year 10 months.

I wonder how much protection breastfeeding offers. I guess I could be glad he did get it earlier.

[Sandy's mom]

I too breastfed both our kids. The only negative thing I've heard relating that to D is that maybe infant aren't getting enough vitamin D while nursing. I myself drank so much milk and dairy though.:confused: Also babies are not in the sun?

[Nancy in VA]

There is a member here whose child was diagnosed while she breastfed.

Its an autoimmune disorder. You either have a genetic disposition to it or not. Often, you find that its "triggered" by a germ or something, as I believe is the case with my daughter. So, maybe the breastfeeding helps protect them from getting the germ that may be the trigger, but if you are "going" to get diabetes, nothing is going to stop it.

[StillMamamia]

Hi,

I don't have any links, but I know this subject has been discussed in the forums before, and basically, although BF does protect the child from many things, it will not 'prevent' a genetically-predisposed child from having d, IMO.
That's the sad truth.
May I be blunt? Are you feeling guilty about not having BF Willow as long as your other children? If so, it is very hard not to feel like that, but I can honestly say it is not your fault. I'm sure there are others who BF longer, and the children still got d. IMO, until you stop feeling like you could have 'prevented' it, then you will not be as convincing in your La Leche League meetings. I'm sorry to be brutally honest, but it seems you're carrying undue guilt with you, when noone could have stopped d.
I hope someone does have links.

[vitamind]

My wife and I were and are big proponents of breastfeeding. However breastfeeding is most probably a contributing factor to getting D. The reason is that women in general are vitamin D deficient. There is not enough vitamin D in the supplements that women take while pregnant. They then pass this vitamin deficiency unto the child. Please understand that the vitamin d that is in milk is from plant sterls D2 and not the same as the body gets from the sun or is in vitamin D supplements. As I have written in the past, if you check out Scientific American issue from november 2007 you can see how a study done in finland which gave newborns ten times the US recomended dose of vitamin D from birth to one year old prevented 80% of diabetes for their lifetimes (That is equivalent to curing 4 out of 5 cases before they even start). The US is currently reviewing its recommendations of daily vitamin D intake. Also check out Wikipedia and read about Vitamin D and Breastfeeding. There are obviously many factors that contribute to getting Diabetes. I felt guilty that maybe though my intentions were good the net result may have hurt my little buddy Will DX 01/07 age 9. I have posted in the past and People have not been receptive to my posts. I hope you understand that I believe that breastfeeding is great. I encourage people to continue to do so. Friends at work give their babies liquid drops of vitamin D under advice of their doctors.
Every pregnant woman should be tested to check their vitamin D, especially in the northern half of the country where for many months the suns rays aren't strong enough to cause Vitamin D production. I hope You will share this with your la leche friends and ask what info they have on it. I am convinced that we could cure half of D before it starts by just getting enough vitamin D to our babies. My brothers wife also breastfed all of his children and his oldest is T1. I wish you well.

[wvchinacat]

Hi,


May I be blunt? Are you feeling guilty about not having BF Willow as long as your other children? If so, it is very hard not to feel like that, but I can honestly say it is not your fault. I'm sure there are others who BF longer, and the children still got d. IMO, until you stop feeling like you could have 'prevented' it, then you will not be as convincing in your La Leche League meetings. I'm sorry to be brutally honest, but it seems you're carrying undue guilt with you, when noone could have stopped d.
I hope someone does have links.

I am so feeling guilty and my rational side says there is no reason to feel guilty - I guess that is just my mama emotional side that just hopes for someone to take away all my children's pains! I did BF my other children longer - with more support and knowledge - but I still wonder what their chances are of getting D. We have a strong family hx.

Someone posted also about Vit d - and I did give her Vit d supplements - not the other 2 though - but we also do not overuse sunscreen and do provide plenty of exposre to the outdoors and sun. I think all in all like one poster said - if you are going to get D, there is no way to stop it. I am still early in our dx - 3 weeks and am learning as well as coping daily. Thanks for the responses.

Vicki
But still if anyone has links -

Thanks

[StillMamamia]

Me again:o

Just wanted to post a few links to other threads where BF and Type 1 were mentioned. Please read the posts...and hopefully you will realize that you didn't do anything to cause T1 in your child.
I hope it helps calm your guilt:cwds:

http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=17054&highlight=Breast+feeding

http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=6934&highlight=Breast+feeding

http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=4413&highlight=Breast+feeding

ETA: One more thing. In Sardinia, I think, there is also a high-incidence of T1 diabetes...and I believe they catch a lot of sun there, so even if Vit. D is one issue to take into account, there are so many others too to consider.

[Amy C.]

If I had only known! I breast fed my son for over a year and withheld milk until he was 12 months. I was a fanatic about keeping him out of the sun and did not take vitamin pills.

My family has a genetic predisposition to autoimmune conditions, so the genetic aspect was there. I wish I had picked something else to be fanatic about rather than withholding cow's milk for so long and keeping my son out of the sunlight -- and not taking vitamin pills.

It makes me think twice about strong opinions about things like this.

I don't feel guilty. I did what I thought was best for my son at the time.

[vitamind]

There is no rational reason to feel guilty. We make the best decisions we can from the knowledge we have at the time. We all love our kids and our doing our best for them. I don't want people to think that their kids getting D is anyones fault. This is just not the case. I do feel that knowing what I have learned. I have an obligation to try and spread the word. If you know of anyone with a family history autoimmune issues you should urge them to look into the studies done on vitamin D. Results from different studies show it reduced all types of cancer in women in Kansas by 75%. Studies done on twins show that it reduces the incidence of MS and Crones Disease. All of these are autoimmune issues. All of these Reductions were seen with much higher doses of Vitamin D than the government recommends. However I would never take advice from some random guy on the internet. Please research it yourself and talk it over with your doctor.

[Ellen]

I breastfed my son until he was 18 months old...he was diagnosed at 15 months. However, he did receive some cows milk based formula in the NICU and a bit at home. I made sure not to give my daughter any food or cows milk for at least 6 months or longer ...and I nursed her until age 3. However, I consumed dairy products.

Reducing risk does not mean eliminating risk. There are environmental triggers that result in type 1 diabetes that have not yet been identified, Each day, we mother the best we can. Life happens. Unfortunately illness happens too.

I think there's evidence that breastfeeding may help protect against type 2 diabetes also...you may want to search Entrez PubMed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?CMD=search&DB=pubmed)

[OSUMom]

My son with D was only breastfed for alittle over a week (second child breastfed for one year). Son with diabetes was not diagnosed until 18 years old. We gave him a soy based formula as an infant. I don't feel guilty for not breastfeeding my son with diabetes (it hurt like he**). We all do the best we can, and for now we don't have any concrete answers it seems.

[easytr5]

I just want to say I am crying with all of you parents out there who are still trying to answer the why and how questions. So many variables, but the bottom line is... we can't turn back the hands of time and we are not in control of everything although we hallucinate that we are with our children. I would ask all of you to focus your energy in one positive direction. GOD CAN DO ALL THINGS! Jesus said "Your faith has healed you." Let us BELIEVE GOD for the healing. Pray with others and thank Him for healing our children. It will be done for His glory. EVERY DAY, LIFT UP YOUR CHILDREN TO GOD IN PRAYER. You know that deep down drive you have to protect your child, to fix the problems, to make the boo boos go away? Let us unite and pursue a cure with that energy. I am pasting my letter to JDRF here because after our WALK for Diabetes today I left disallusioned. My daughter was just diagnosed July 2008, this past summer. This is all still new to me. I thought JDRF was the ticket but maybe I still have a lot to learn.

May God have mercy on us and our families and may we find favor in His eyes,

Melissa

Dear Sir,

I would like to know why JDRF does not support Denise Faustman's research. She
is in Phase 1 Human Clinical Trials testing one of two drugs that cured NOD
mice. At the Columbia Walk today I spoke to a volunteer at one of the booths
and she said JDRF does not support any research that could actually lead to a
cure. My oldest daughter was diagnosed in July 08 and her little sister was
pounding the pavement to get donations for this walk and just knowing her sister
would not have to suffer anymore, a cure was on the way. I was very discouraged
to hear this volunteer's opinion and I would like concrete reasons why research
to find a CURE is not being funded. These little children do not want another
gadget to manage this disease! I will be feverishly spreading the word to all
parents and friends through the internet to investigate how donated funds are
being spent! It is common sense at this point that there is no reason to replace
or regenerate beta cells if T cells are not controlled or destroyed. I do not
believe spending millions and billions of dollars, and spitting on the hopes of
little children by funding many different approaches to managing diabetes is
wise. Being a jack of all trades and a master of none IS NOT THE ANSWER! A
CURE. THAT is the goal. We don't need alternative testing and insulin delivery
systems. We need to know our little girls and boys will be alive in the morning
WITHOUT insulin. We know all too well that insulin is the only thing keeping
them alive.

Please consider funding researchers actively pursuing a cure, such as Denise
Faustman.

Melissa Lovelady

[AaronsMom]

My son with D was not breast-fed. He was adopted and therefor not breast-fed. I became pregnant with my younger son and was able to breast-feed him. He does not have D.