Within
the first week of birth, breastfeeding
produces colostrum—a liquid high in protein, fat-soluble vitamins, minerals and
immunoglobins (antibodies from the mother that help to immunize the infant). For
the next two-weeks transitional milk is produced—a milk high in fat, lactose,
water-soluble vitamins. For the remainder of the time that the infant
breastfeeds, mature milk is produced which is mostly water along with
carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Additionally, breast milk produces various
trophic hormones that are essential for the maturation of the digestive tract,
and peptides that aid in the development of the immune system (Al-Farsi et al., 2012). Breastfeeding itself
stimulates the release of the hormone oxytocin within the mother. Oxytocin can enhance
feelings of affection and emotional bonding between the mother and infant; this
something that cannot be substituted by formula-feeding.
A study focused on the antioxidant power of breast milk compared to formula by evaluating the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total peroxide (TP) level and oxidative stress index (OSI) of plasma in 3 to 6 month old infants. These researchers determined that breastfed infants had significantly higher TAC and vitamin C concentrations of the plasma than the formula-fed group. Additionally, the TP levels and OSI were higher in the formula-fed infants compared to the breastfed group (Aycicek et al., 2006). This information indicates that breastfed infants have lower oxidative stress than formula-fed infants.
Although
there are baby formulas out there, such as Similac®, that claim to be very
similar to actual breast milk with the nutrient and immune benefits include, I
find it difficult to believe that they cover all the bases that breastfeeding
provides.
References
Al-Farsi,
Y. M., Al-Sharbati, M. M., Waly, M. I., Al-Farsi, O. A., Al-Shafaee, M. A., Al-Khaduri,
M. M., Trivedi, M. S., & Deth, R. C. (2012). Effect of suboptimal
breast-feeding on occurrence of autism: A case-control study. Nutrition, 28, e27-e32. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2012.01.007
Aycicek,
A., Erel, O., Kocyigit, A., Selek, S., & Demirkol, M. R. (2006). Breast
milk provides better antioxidant power than does formula. Nutrition, 22, 616-619. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2005.12.011
I found this post interesting. I looked into additional benefits that breast milk and breast feeding can provide to the infant long term. I found that not breastfeeding your infant can be a risk factor for developing type 1 and 2 diabetes (1). As Kalina mentioned, human breast milk contains substances that promote the maturation of the immune system and thus can protect against the onset of type 1 diabetes (1). In addition, the human breast milk also contains substances that promote satiety and energy balance. These help to prevent over eating and excess weight gain during childhood which helps prevent against the onset of type 2 diabetes (1).
ReplyDeleteThis post emphasizes that fact that it is important for healthcare providers to educate their patient's on the differences between human breast milk and other alternatives and the risk and benefits for each.
1. Pereira PF, Alfenas RD, Araujo RM. Oct 2013. Does breastfeeding influence the risk of developing diabetes mellitus in children? A review of current evidence. J Pediatr (Rio J). 7(13)00178-2.
I had to read this blog when I saw the title. I was always told/have heard that breast feeding is great for a baby. Breast milk gives them the immunoglobulins they need for their immune system, and it's free! I've not only heard how nutritionally beneficial breast milk was for infants, but I have also heard that it can help mother's shed the baby weight quicker.
ReplyDeleteIn a study of 68 women to determine the effects of breast feeding on weight loss, 65% of the women who breast fed lost weight quicker than those who did not (Samano et al. 2013).
Given this knowledge, I don't know why any mother wouldn't want to breast feed. There is an overwhelming amount of benefit from breast milk, it helps mother's shed the baby weight, it's great for the bond between mother and infant, and it's free!
Reference:
Sámano R, Martínez-Rojano H, Godínez Martínez E, Sánchez Jiménez B, Villeda Rodríguez GP, Pérez Zamora J, Casanueva E. 2013. Effects of breastfeeding on weight loss and recovery of pregestational weight in adolescent and adult mothers. 34(2):123-30. Retrieved from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23964385
If the WHO suggests breastfeeding for 6-12 months, how many mothers are actually doing this? I know women who stop breastfeeding due to pain, inability to produce milk, and for inconvenience issues (ie they have to work). Do women really know and understand the importance of breastfeeding? Are doctors educating their patients correctly? And what about the mothers that cannot produce- I have heard of "milk banks" to help share milk with mothers that cannot produce. Did you find anything in your research that discussed these gaps in health care?
ReplyDeleteMia,
ReplyDeleteThere was very little mentioned on the gaps in health care regarding proper education on the importance of breastfeeding in my research on this topic. One study that focused on the relationship between early breastfeeding termination and autism stated in their discussion, “The primary factors that generally lead to the discontinuation of breast-feeding in Oman are employment, maternal education, availability of breast-milk substitutes, and inadequate guidance from health care providers concerning appropriate breast-feeding practices during the first days after delivery.” (Al-Farsi et al., 2012, e31). These factors are translatable to many countries including the U.S., like you had mentioned about the people you know.
I do believe that a large reason as to why mothers do not breastfeed as long as is recommended is due to the of lack of education and support from health care providers. Personally, my sister-in-law is one of the mothers who dropped breast-feeding within the first couple of days. She was all for breast-feeding, but after talking with her lactation consultant she was told that her infants’ jaw was set-back and that it would be really difficult for her to breast-feed. So instead of helping her overcome this issue and promote breastfeeding, her consultant drove her away from it. I had a bit of a freak out over this because there is such a high correlation between breast-feeding and numerous health benefits to both the mother and her infant, some of which Christine and Elizabeth mentioned above, and others that are still being researched on. Also, as Elizabeth said, it’s free! It may take more effort and time, but the health benefits are more important in my opinion.
In addition, you mentioned milk banks. Donor breast milk is typically dispensed according to prescriptions by physicians. It is most frequently given to pre-term infants because their mothers are not able to make large quantities of breast milk that are essential to the health of the pre-term infant in the first few days. Also, mothers of preterm infants are highly encouraged to breastfeed their infants. Two other infant populations that often receive donor breast milk are term-infants with gastrointestinal disorders and babies for adoption (Tudehope, 2013).
References:
Al-Farsi, Y. M., Al-Sharbati, M. M., Waly, M. I., Al-Farsi, O. A., Al-Shafaee, M. A., Al-Khaduri, M. M., Trivedi, M. S., & Deth, R. C. (2012). Effect of suboptimal breast-feeding on occurrence of autism: A case-control study. Nutrition, 28, e27-e32. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2012.01.007
Tudehope, D. I. (2013). Human milk and the nutritional needs of preterm infants. The Journal of Pediatrics, 162,S17-S25. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2012.11.049