Mother's Milk is Best for Infant Gut Flora

We recently ran across an article and research by the husband of one of our very own Idaho Leaders explaining why the bacteria in your baby's gut is superiorly supported  by mommy milk.

Here is a brief blurb from the site:

The newborn gut and brain are only partially developed.  Mother’s milk is needed to supply growth factors to close and differentiate the gut epithelium, and long chain omega-3 fatty acids for brain growth.  Formula may eventually be supplemented with the needed fatty acids, but the growth factors/hormones present in mother’s milk will not be provided in formula.  Recent studies have shown that hundreds of different genes are activated in gut cells from infants fed either breast milk or formula.  Formula leaves the gut leaky and fails to stimulate the development of the immune system that is dependent on interaction with normal infant gut flora.  These dysfunctions partially explain the increased (10X to 100X) gut and respiratory infections resulting from formula use.  The reduced brain development with formula explains the five point reduction in IQ of formula fed infants.

You really need to visit Dr Art Ayers' website and read the full article for yourself.

Celebrating 55 Years of Mother-to-mother Support

Celebrating 55 Years of Mother-to-mother Support                                

For 55 years La Leche League International (LLLI) has provided breastfeeding information and mother-to-mother support to thousands of women worldwide.
                                
Because of the generosity of our donors, we have been able to expand our outreach into more communities around the world and deliver practical breastfeeding materials and mother-to-mother support to pregnant and nursing mothers at no cost to them. 
                                
Especially in these challenging times, your contribution to the mission of LLLI makes a difference!                                                                                                    
 
For families with limited financial resources, savings from breastfeeding can go toward other family needs.                                    
 
For babies, breastfeeding provides for a healthy immune system with lifelong benefits.                                    
 
For mothers and babies who are at risk due to a natural disaster, an epidemic, or war, LLL can quickly mobilize its Leader base to provide practical hands-on support so breastfeeding can continue during the worst of conditions.                                                                 

Through the generosity of key LLLI supporters, any gift you make to LLLI between now and December 31, 2011 will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000. You enable us to continue helping mothers to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support, encouragement, information, and education.
                                
Donate Now http://www.llli.org/2011yec 
                                                                
Thank you for helping mothers and babies!                                
                                
                                
                              

Mailing Address:
La Leche League International
957 N. Plum Grove Road
Schaumburg, IL  60173     
US 

Contact Name: LLLI Development Department
Telephone Number: (847) 519-7730, x240

Our mission is to help mothers worldwide to breastfeed through mother-to-mother support and information, and to promote an understanding of breastfeeding as an important element in the healthy development of the baby and mother.