Saturday, May 03, 2003

HealthCentral.com - News - Unknown 0/0/0 Why Overweight Women Face Breast-feeding Problems

They don't produce enough prolactin, a key hormone, new research says.

By Colette Bouchez
HealthScoutNews Reporter

"SATURDAY, May 3 (HealthScoutNews) -- There's no question that breast-feeding has important health benefits for both women and their babies.

Now a new study offers important hope for at least one group of women who traditionally have met with lactation failure.

The research focused on overweight women, many of whom can have difficulty making enough milk for successful breast-feeding. Researchers say the study, presented May 3 at the Pediatric Academic Societies' annual meeting in Seattle, is the first to document a physical problem as a potential cause.

"The most important finding is that we have discovered a biological reason -- as opposed to a psychological or sociological reason -- for lactation failure," says study author Dr. Chris Kjolhede..."
BBC NEWS | Health | Supplemented feed can cut heart risk Thursday, 1 May, 2003, 23:01 GMT 00:01 UK
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Supplemented feed can cut heart risk
Bottled milk
Bottled milk may not be a good as breast milk

"Adding fatty acids to formula milk for babies may cut heart disease in later life, a study suggests.

Researchers found blood pressure levels were lower in children who had been given supplemented formula milk as babies.

The work began in 1992 when 111 newborn babies were fed with formula milk a containing long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and 126 were fed with unsupplemented formula.

Both groups were compared with babies who were breastfed. Breast milk is naturally rich in fatty acids.

Breast is best

Six years later, the children's blood pressure was measured in a follow up study.

Average blood pressure was similar in the babies who were breastfed and those given the supplemented formula..."

Archives: Story State Senate OKs breastfeeding bill
By Charles E. Beggs, Associated Press Writer

SALEM
"Employers would be required to give women unpaid breaks to breast feed infants or allow them to use a breast pump at work under a bill easily approved by the Senate on Wednesday.

The measure passed 22-6 and now goes to the House.

The sponsor of the bill, Democrat Ginny Burdick of Portland, said making breast feeding easier for women at work is good for business as well as for employees.

Burdick said breast-fed babies are ill less often than formula-fed infants, so mothers would have fewer job interruptions to care for children...."