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I got my wife a little present: a beautiful box with 100 CD's that contain the most beautiful classical music from the Middle Ages till 1945. Most of the time when you buy these compilations, they contain average quality recordings by unknown orchestras and second-rate conductors. But this compilation is different. Not only does it give an excellent overview of classical music in all its diversity (Gregorian Chants, Operas, concertos etc.) but they are all by famous recording artists like Callas, Isaac Stern or the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra, and conducted by Yehudi Menuhin, Aldo Ciccolini or Otmar Suitner

We have started listening to the first CDs, putting them on our iPod and cataloguing them. Because iTunes does not recognize the songs, we have to do everything manually. At least the music is beautiful, so filling in the info on iTunes is worthwile.

7. Less atopy

In children who are at risk for atopy (defined as at least one parent or sibling having atopy), atopic syndrome can be prevented or delayed through exclusive breastfeeding for four months, though these benefits may not be present after four months of age. However, the key factor may be the age at which non-breastmilk is introduced rather than duration of breastfeeding. Atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema, can be reduced through exclusive breastfeeding beyond 12 weeks in individuals with a family history of atopy, but when breastfeeding beyond 12 weeks is combined with other foods incidents of eczema rise irrespective of family history.

*Atopy or atopic syndrome is an allergic hypersensitivity affecting parts of the body not in direct contact with the allergen. It may involve eczema (atopic dermatitis), allergic conjunctivitis, allergic rhinitis and asthma. There appears to be a strong hereditary component. One study concludes that "the general risk of developing atopic dermatitis (3%) and atopy (7%) increases by a factor of two with each first-degree family member already suffering from atopy"

6. Fewer infections

Breastfeeding reduced the risk of acquiring urinary tract infections in infants up to seven months post-partum. The protection was strongest immediately after birth, and was ineffective past seven months. Breastfeeding appears to reduce symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections in premature infants up to seven months after release from hospital. Increased duration of certain types of middle ear infections (otitis media with effusion, OME) in the first two years of life is associated with a shorter period of breastfeeding, in addition to feeding while lying down and maternal cigarette smoking. A reduced proportion and duration of any otitis media infection was associated with breastfeeding rather than formula feeding for the first twelve months of life.

With the birth of a new baby, a whole lot of burocracy kicks in. Some very understandable, some quite discouraging. Fortunately for me, all male Belgian employees are entitled to 10 days of Paternal Leave under Belgian law. This is divided up into 3 days paid by my employer, and 7 days paid (partially) by the Health Insurance. I should take these days within the first month following the birth, so my wife and I decided to to take them once she and the baby came back from holiday.

After 4 days we left the hospital and they performed already 2 tests on the baby: U1 (immediately after the birth) and U2 (just before leaving the hospital). Everything is looking fine so far, and Caitlin is getting enough sleep (and his parents also!)

5. Long term health effects

In one study, breastfeeding did not appear to offer protection against allergies. However, another study showed breastfeeding to have lowered the risk of asthma, protect against allergies, and provide improved protection for babies against respiratory and intestinal infections.

Infants exclusively breastfed have less chance of developing diabetes mellitus type 1 than peers with a shorter duration of breastfeeding and an earlier exposure to cow milk and solid foods. Breastfeeding also appears to protect against diabetes mellitus type 2, at least in part due to its effects on the child's weight.

Breastfeeding appears to reduce the risk of extreme obesity in children aged 39 to 42 months. The protective effect of breastfeeding against obesity is consistent, though small, across many studies, and appears to increase with the duration of breastfeeding.

A review of the association between breastfeeding and celiac disease (CD) concluded that breast feeding while introducing gluten to the diet reduced the risk of CD. The study was unable to determine if breastfeeding merely delayed symptoms or offered life-long protection.

A study at the University of Wisconsin found that women who were breast fed in infancy may have a lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who were not breast fed.