Naturopathic Source

A recent study in the journal Chest is  reporting that broad-spectrum antibiotics used in the first year of life increase asthma risk by the age of 7 (Chest, June 2007). The more antibiotics that were used, the higher the asthma risk. In fact, with 4 or more courses of antibiotics, the risk of asthma rose by 46 percent, as compared to kids who did not have antibiotic use. Although the researchers are planning further research into this area, they recommend staying away from broad-spectrum antibiotics whenever more specific antibiotics are available.

My recommendation is to take your baby for a naturopathic well-child visit before they are having any problems. That way, preventative measures can be taken to make sure your baby's immune system is healthy and strong. Babies don`t have much of their own immune system and their protection comes from their mother`s immune system via her breast milk. So moms with weak immune function, or for babies who are not being breastfed, this is an especially important measure. It is also important to make sure your baby does not have a cold, flu or any other kind of infection when they are vaccinated, (if you choose to vaccinate).

TC