Does Breastfeeding lower the risk of autism? Can we detect breast cancer thru markers in breastmilk?
There are several theoretic reasons why breastfeeding may alter the expression of autism spectrum disorder, but what does a recent study suggest? Learn about status of research on detection of pregnancy associated breast cancer. Would you agree with our discussion on management of a breast mass? Oh, and what do you think about fenugreek? Hear some research and of course our own opinions!
Listen to Karen and Anne discuss a clinical case of a breast mass, before we finish up with a discussion on the merits of fenugreek.
Jenny
Hello! I’m an IBCLC and Mom of a child on the autism spectrum. I wanted to comment on your podcast regarding the research done on kids with autism and their siblings. I’m in total agreement with your assumption that first born children are breastfed for a shorter duration than their younger siblings. My son with autism is my only child that was breastfed for 13 months and we never given infant formula. His 2 older, typically developed half sisters were only breastfed for 2 and 6 months respectively. So we are definitely the alternative in that he received the benefits of breastfeeding the longest and he is the 1 of 3 siblings with an autism diagnosis. I think that it was an interesting research design, however, I’m not certain that I am in complete agreement with the findings of the research. Additionally, most infants don’t often have signs of autism, delays usually start to become apparent somewhere between 15 and 24 months. Many kids with autism tend to develop normally during the newborn and infant stages, so I don’t know that autism would contribute to breastfeeding difficulties or early weaning.