Breastfeeding 'could protect babies from autism', claim scientists behind new study

[AGXStarseed]

(Not written by me. Personally, I think it's rubbish but I'll put it here anyway and let you guys decide for yourselves).

Research found babies with a gene mutation that put them at risk of the disorder were more sociable if they were suckled





Breastfeeding could boost pro-social behaviour in children who have a genetic predisposition to autism, a study suggests.

A study found babies with a gene mutation that put them at risk of the disorder were more sociable if they were suckled.

Children with autism are often self-absorbed and seem to exist in a private world where they are unable to successfully communicate and interact with others.

Breast milk contains “love hormone” oxytocin, which promotes trust and confidence, and reduces fear.

Researchers found infants nursed naturally for longer had a raised preference for looking at happy eyes and disliking angry eyes.

But the effect was only significant for those with autism variant gene CD38, which is linked with reduced release of oxytocin.

The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest breastfeeding might enhance pro-social tendencies in infants who are genetically at risk for autism.

Kathleen Krol of the Max Planck Institute in Germany said: “This genotype has been associated with higher rates of autism.

“These findings underline the importance of maternal care and oxytocin in early development of responding to social eye cues.”

Breastfeeding has also been found to boost babies’ IQ and reduce the risk of infections, obesity - and even cancer.


SOURCE: http://www.mirror.co.uk/lifestyle/health/breastfeeding-could-protect-babies-autism-6442409

 

[Ylva]

The title says something different from what the article says.

Doubtlessly there'd be more social autistics if socialness weren't made so forced and painful for us early on.

 

[AsheSkyler]

Nursing is a pretty intimate act meant to both nourish the baby and strengthen familial bonds. I've always been social and friendly, whether or not it was due to how I was fed. At least until I started kindergarten and had to deal with those little brats at school, then I wasn't so friendly anymore.

I have to say WELL DUH to the last sentence in the article. Mothers produce a bunch of antibodies and are designed to be a natural defense for children until their bodies are strong enough to start doing it on their own, so of course there are going to be less infections and diseases on most naturally fed babies. My kid was a little butterball on milk, but not as bad as some babies we knew who were forcefed by bottle-feeding mothers to make them go to sleep at night.

 

[AspieOtaku]

Lol i was breastfed as a baby and im still autistic. I call bunk science there.

 

[Astroganga]

Hmm not sure about this one. As someone else has mentioned the article states different to the headline. I was breastfed, and maybe it helped, maybe I would have been worse if not. My sister who was mainly formula fed, I have found recently she also suspects she is on the spectrum but is not interested in seeking a diagnosis. Overall her symptoms/traits are milder than mine but socially she struggled more than I did growing up. My second eldest son also may be on the spectrum and was breastfed for a year, not sure whether it helped with him, or made no difference.

 

[Häxan]

I breastfed all three of my children and all of them are autistic.
I am autistic and my mother was schizophrenic, it is common for parents who have schizophrenia to have children who are autistic so my autism is genetic. She actually had "Schizoaffective disorder"

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/247663.php

 

[Laconic]

I was breastfed and am autistic. I was not able to breastfeed my daughter and she is not. I breastfed my son and we are pretty sure he is.

 

[Crossbreed]

She actually had "Schizoaffective disorder"

That was a common diagnosis given to Aspies/auties before they knew better. It is still debated here in northern Wisconsin, USA.

 

[Crossbreed]

Lol i was breastfed as a baby and im still autistic.

Can't hoit!

 

[lilyb1991]

If that was the case then how can they say that people are born with autism/aspergers. I was breastfed and ive got aspergers

 

[Astroganga]

If you read the article and others about the study, in full, they clearly state that breastfeeding does not prevent autism but according to this study may mean a person has better social abilities than if not breastfed.