tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246768555161890193.post127583728819738834..comments2023-08-11T18:07:06.632-04:00Comments on Racing on the Road Called Life: About that breastmilkStephanie H.http://www.blogger.com/profile/06743280376092087866noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4246768555161890193.post-61580556916399428252013-10-23T07:58:58.459-04:002013-10-23T07:58:58.459-04:00Ethan was sick a lot as an infant, though 95% of h...Ethan was sick a lot as an infant, though 95% of his illnesses were asthma related after he contracted RSV at 5 months. The only non-asthma related illness he ever had was strep. Actually, he did have two ear infections including a double ear infection, but the doctor said it was a drainage issue from the congestion caused by his treatments so I think that counts as asthma related. Either way, he was formula fed which wasn't my choice. I wanted to breastfeed because of the nutrients and health aspect. I was breastfed for almost two years and still had pediatric asthma, my sister was breastfed for a year and had pediatric asthma, my mom was breastfed and still has asthma -- so at some point, we've just got to chalk it up to genetics - ha. My dad on the other hand was formula fed AND his mother smoked while pregnant with him and he's the healthiest guy I know. In almost 30 years on this planet, I never recall my dad being sick ever -- and he travels like a lunatic on virtually no sleep. At some point, I knew I had to stop blaming myself for the formula thing and Ethan's asthma because of it!<br /><br />I will say, though, I DO believe in the power of proper nutrition and that we are what we eat. I have seen a drastic DECREASE in Ethan's time spent being sick now that he's old enough to eat "real" foods (I mean that in a literal sense and a not-a-bottle sense). He's never had juice, he doesn't eat processed foods, he doesn't eat junk food, and I think it truly reflects in his health and development. If he DOES get the sniffles from teething or a little cold from another sick kiddo, he fights it off in a day or two without the use of his breathing treatment unlike in the past when each cold would be a 2 week respiratory hell. So, who knows, maybe if Ethan was able to be breastfed he wouldn't have gotten RSV and wouldn't have had such a low immune system as an infant -- though his best friend who is still being breastfed at 28 months also caught RSV around the same time and is probably sick even more than Ethan is even now. Which is why I try not to dwell on that kind of stuff and just know my kid is as healthy as can be now that I have a choice what he eats!Lindsayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18101932639543215210noreply@blogger.com