The December, 2011 issue of the peer-reviewed scientific journal
Current Allergy and Asthma Reports (Dec;11(6):508-12) includes a
review of the current evidence regarding the etiology of
earaches in infants. The authors (Abrahams SW, Labbok MH) wrote:
"Human milk provides infants with antimicrobial, anti-
inflammatory, and immunomodulatory agents that contribute to
optimal immune system function. The act of breastfeeding allows
important bacterial and hormonal interactions between the mother
and baby and impacts the mouth, tongue, swallow, and eustachian
tubes. "Previous meta-analyses have shown that lack of
breastfeeding and less intensive patterns of breastfeeding are
associated with increased risk of acute otitis media, one of the
most common infections of childhood. "A review of epidemiologic
studies indicates that the introduction of infant formula in the
first 6 months of life is associated with increased incidence of
acute otitis media in early-childhood." Dr. Benjamin Spock sold
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