Breastfeeding protective against Autism

[womblesofwestminster]

What do you guys make of this news:

"Breastfed children have higher oxytocin levels, boosting their chances of evading Autism. Medical researchers have further confirmed that breastfeeding significantly strengthens the nervous system of both the child and its mother."

www.ameinfo.com/blog/automotive/sharjah-baby-friendly-emirate-campaign/uaes-first-ever-session-on-reducing-autism-cases-via-breastfeeding-shifts-autism-fight-from-therapy-to-prevention/

[ouryve]

In the effect of suboptimal breastfeeding summary (which was pretty sparse, to be honest, particularly where methods were concerned) no mention was made what the adjustment was made for. Were the parents in both cohorts screened for ASD, themselves? If not, what's to rule out that, actually, more of the non-breastfeeding mothers had undiagnosed ASD, with the double effect that they might find breastfeeding more difficult than NT mothers as well as passing on genes predisposing to autism?

My youngest is 7.5. He has severe autism. He breastfed for 29 months. Exclusively for the first 8. My eldest is 10, with autism and ADHD. He self weaned at 18 months, after several months of waning interest. He found it hard to tolerate the prolonged contact involved. If we hadn't already taken steps to ensure more future siblings, I have no idea what you would expect me to do to prevent them from having autism, wombles.

[queryremelatonin]

I love the way that the "compelling evidence" is so compelling that they decide against actually including it in the article.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

I think there is an discussion to be had about the role of breastfeeding in neurological conditions (as there is for other health/development issues), both the biological aspect and the relationship aspect, but not like this.

I'm very pro-bfing but am appalled at the way it has been presented here.

[VesuviusPoovius]

In my small, personal sample of 4 (BF) DC, I could argue that syntocin induction caused ASD, or ventouse delivery, or having paracetamol at 6 hours old, or being born on a Monday, or having brown eyes. Or not. Because only one of my 4 had those and he has a diagnosis of ASD.

[womblesofwestminster]

The reason why a person has autism is far deeper than whether the mum breastfeeds or not.

I agree, but bf could be part of the jigsaw. Or do the parents of autistic children not want to understand what created it? I can understand this stance (the horse has bolted) but, surely open discussion is beneficial for society as a whole.

I'm very pro-bfing but am appalled at the way it has been presented here.

How should it be presented? Can you go ahead and do so, so we can have a discussion which is deemed acceptable.

[ouryve]

How should it be presented?

Not as a mother blaming exercise. Not as a warning that autism in future siblings would be prevented by breastfeeding them. With a bit of basic tact.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

Not as if Autism is some kind of brain parasite caused by the mother's inability to do something in a culture and context that makes it rarely possible.

There IS a discussion to be had, but I'd rather not do it with people so narrow-minded and ill-informed it could cause harm, not least by the assumption that anyone OUGHT to behave in a way to minimise autism.

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

I wish the horse bloody well would bolt.........

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

How is not having autism in our society a benefit?

Do you live in Hertfordshire by any chance?

[autumnsmum]

According to mumsnet hq these horrible statements by op can stand as they believe in free speech .my feelings don't seem to matter .all of us on here live with our children's and sometime our own disabilities every day .we are all helping each other the suggestion that I could have caused done something I did has caused two of my Dcs issues makes me feel awful .ds and dd2 are amazing .i am interested in the causes of autism but tbh tonight I feel like leaving mumsnet

[hazeyjane]

I have asked whether MNHQ would at least move this to the feeding section.

It seems an odd thing to do to start this 'discussion' here, where it could understandably cause a lot of pain.

Don't go Autumnsmum.

[autumnsmum]

Thank you hazey and zzzz I had good reasons for ff Dcs .also dd2 had concert today so feeling v emotional .hazey hope your ds gets bettersoon

[StarlightMcKingsThree]

AIBU to think that if more mothers breastfed then society wouldn't have to face the consequence of autism.

[ouryve]