“ Ask the Chiropractor” Article for 4/18/01

Breast Feeding Helps Infant Eczema-April 18, 2001

Q: I take my two infants, ages 2 ½ months and 13 months to a chiropractor and it has helped with their colic but now I notice eczema starting on my younger child.

What can I do to help this condition?

A: It’s wonderful to hear of more and more parents reaching out for natural solutions and healing approaches for their children’s health and well being. Your solution to your child’s eczema is closer than you may expect. Breastfeeding your child is the best way to reduce not only eczema, but also gastrointestinal infections in newborns and infants. If you already are nursing you should make a careful evaluation of your own personal diet. Make sure you are eating natural wholesome foods that are low on the allergy profile.

An article in the Journal of the American Medical Association supports previous evidence indicating that breastfeeding minimizes a newborn’s odds of gastrointestinal infection and eczema.

The study polled data on 16,491 women and their newborns. The women received either traditional infant feeding or more extensive education aimed at maximizing the duration of breastfeeding. Babies whose mother’s received more intense education about breastfeeding were more likely to be exclusively breastfed and breastfed for longer duration compared with women who did not receive special support. Youngsters who were breastfed for 12 months were 40 % less likely to experience gastrointestinal tract infections and 46% less likely to develop a-topic eczema, compared with babies who were breastfed for fewer months.

Breastfeeding coupled with chiropractic adjustments of your children will enhance their immune system and maintain a strong resistance to invading organisms.