Determine if breastfeeding compared to formula feeding of infants decreases MS-related symptoms, exacerbation rate, level of ADL functioning of mothers with MS during the first six months post birth. Lower exacerbation rates during pregnancy of women with MS are thought to be due to the naturally occurring immune suppression of pregnancy related in part to the presence of higher blood levels of cortisol and prolactin compared to non-pregnancy periods. Following delivery blood cortisol and prolactin levels rapidly return to pre-pregnant levels unless full breastfeeding is maintained. A decrease in suppressor cell activity has been shown to occur in MS patients during both exacerbations and chronic progression of the illness suggesting that lowered levels of suppressor cell activity may permit activation of an immune response. Similar levels of emotional and tangible support were given both groups of mothers.
All instruments have satisfactory reliability and validity.
MS exacerbation is defined as the occurrence of a symptom or symptoms or worsening of existing symptoms attributable to MS lasting at least 24 hours and confirmed by their physician. The weekly diaries will be returned on a monthly basis. Analysis of data will include descriptive statistics for all study variables, analysis of variance with repeated measures, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. If statistically significant differences exist between the groups for MS duration, age of mother, number of children, and immunosuppressant drugs, these extraneous variables will be controlled statistically. Approximately 150 breastfeeding and 100 formula feeding mothers will be recruited.