Conference to Reveal New Evidence on Extended Breastfeeding on Autism

Online, April 16, 2011 (Newswire.com) - The Birthing, Bonding, and Breastfeeding conference will bring together health care professionals including Lactation Consultants, Physicians, Registered Nurses, Registered Dietitians, students and parents to learn about the latest research from leaders in the field of breastfeeding and pediatrics. The conference will be held in May 7 at Desert Regional Medical Center, 1150 North Indian Canyon Road, Palm Springs, California 92262.

"The topic of breastfeeding is particularly relevant," said Christy Jo Hendricks, IBCLC, Doula and author of Mommy Feeds Baby. "This conference is timely with the recent announcements from the Surgeon General and Mrs. Obama calling for promotion of breastfeeding."
According to Dr. Regina M. Benjamin, United States Surgeon General's 2011 "Call to Action," breastfeeding can protect babies from a variety of infections and illnesses that include diarrhea, ear infections, and pneumonia. Breastfed babies are less likely to develop asthma, and those who are breastfed for six months are less likely to become obese. Mothers who breastfeed have a decreased risk of breast and ovarian cancers.

Seventy-five percent of US babies initiate breastfeeding, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says; however, only 13% are exclusively breastfed at the end of six months. Breastfeeding rates are particularly low among African-American infants.
In 2010, a study published in the journal Pediatrics estimated that the United States would save $13 billion per year in health care and other costs if 90% of US babies were exclusively breastfed for six months.

The conference will cover topics relevant to breastfeeding such as the effect of breastfeeding on autism, the business of breastfeeding and postpartum childcare. An Expo will include a range of businesses and nonprofit agencies that support maternal and child health.

Keynote speaker Dr. Touraj Shafai is a Pediatrician, American Academy of Pediatrics Chairman of the Committee on Breastfeeding, Board Member of the Inland Empire Breastfeeding Coalition, the Children's Spine Foundation, and the Advisory Committee of the First 5 Proposition 10 Commission. Dr. Shafai has recently conducted studies and research in the area of breastfeeding and its effects on autism. His soon to be published work will be presented at the conference.

Keynote speaker Dr. Bob Sears is a Pediatrician, co-author of the Sears Parenting Library, and solo author of The Vaccine Book: Making the Right Decision for Your Child. Dr. Sears has appeared on the Dr. Phil show, the Ellen DeGeneris show, CNN's House Calls with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, The CBS Early Show, and PBS's "A Place of Our Own." Dr. Sears is a frequent speaker at La Leche League conferences nationwide as well as various parenting expos. Dr. Sears is also an active contributor to AskDrSears.com and Working Mother Magazine.

The conference is presented with collaboration from Riverside County's Grow Your Own lactation consultant training program, Healthy Beginnings of Desert Regional Hospital and For Moms and Babies, Inc.

For more information and to register for this conference, visit www.aboutfamiliesinc.com.
For more information on breastfeeding, visit www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding.