IS BREAST MILK BEST FOR YOUR BABY?

New Parents want to give the best to their new babies. In terms of nutrition, the best first

food is breast milk. Bottle-fed infants tend to be fatter than breast-fed babies but they are not necessarily healthier. Over two decades ofresearch have shown that breast milk is best for nourishing infants and protecting them from infections, viruses and diseases. Infants that are breast-fed show lower rates of ear infections, allergies, rashes, diarrhea, hospital admissions one other medical problems when compared to bottle-fed babies (Consumer 19).

Babies fed with breast milk have fewer illnesses because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. Roughly XO% ofbreast milk cells are acrophages, cell that kill fungi, bacteria and viruses. In varying degrees, breast-fed babies are protected from illnesses such as pneumonia, bronchitis, botulism, influenza, staphylococcal infections, ear infections and German Measles. Also, mothers produce antibodies to whatever diseases are currently in the environment (Consumer 22).

Human milk that comes straight from the breast is always sterile and not contaminaled Watts Iby dirty bottles or polluted water which can lead to diarrhea in the infant. A team of researchers found mucin in breast milk. Their data shows that mucin can protect against infectious viruses that cause severe diarrhea. Each year these viruses cause 3.5 million cases of diarrhea in the United States and roughly 100 deaths. In developing countries these diarrhea causing viruses are the second leading cause ofdeath for children under 5 CScience News 390).

Physicians in the infectious-disease division ofJohns Hopkins Children's Center said, "Maternal antibodies - infection-fighting proteins ofthe immune system - accounted for the tendency of breast-fed infants to suffer fewer, less severe bouts of diarrhea". Mucins account for half of the irlfection-fighting proteins in breast milk. Newborns aren't born with intestinal mucjn so they ~II need to get it from breast milk until they get a little older and can start making their own. Cow's milk does contain mucins ;but at a lower concentration than human milk and the mucins usually don't make it into the standard formula cause most of themilk's protein is filtered out during manufacturing (Science News 391). _

In countries with a moderate or high infant mortality rate, formula fed infants are at least 4timesaslikelyto die from diarrhea than brea~t likely tq die from I pneumonia. Even in countries where the infant mortality rate is low, formula fed infants require hospital ~treatment up to 5 times mo~e often than infants that are partly or fully breast fed ( Lancet 1239). Human milk contains at least 100 ingredients that are not found in the standard formula No ba~iy is allergic toit•s moiher's milk, but babies a;e often fll8to know is through trial and error (Consumer 20).

to formulas. The only wa

One of the two primary proteins in breast milk is retinoic acid. This acid fights off

Helicobacter pylori, bacterium that causes stomach ulcers in adults and children. Retinoic acid is to completely destroy the bacterium but with thiS acid in your body it's like fighting ofif an' particles instead of 50,000 or 100,000 (Science Ne 231). Breast milk also contains V1TUS large amou~of interleukin-l0 (IL-10), an immune system molecule tq,t slows or in~jibits inflamrR~ion. Infla~ation is one of the ways the body fights infection. But sometimes the body gets too aggressive and healthy tissue starts getting destroyed. This is one reas~n I Igastrointestinal disease can be very devastating for infants, because the inflammatory process gets carried away. Newborns do not produce IL-I O as effectively as adults but the mother can give it to her child through colostrum, the fluid that precedes breast milk (Science News 231).

Breast-feeding babies for at least four months may reduce their risk of otitis (middle-ear infection) when compared to formula fed babies. In comparing recurrence rates breast fed babie only had an 1 1.9 percent chance of recurrence when non-breast fed babies had a 20.1 percent chance ofrecufi-ence (Parents 28). Human breast milk not only protects infants from infections but also appears to fight cancer. Swedish researchers report that in test-tube experiments, human milk triggered destruction of up to 98% of malignant lung-tumor cells while sparing all normal cells. The killing agent is a common milk protein called alpha-lacta~bumin (Time 25).

Researchers in Scotland have come to the conclusion that Mother's milk contains a substance vital to the development of a baby's brain. Breast fed babies show higher levels ofDHA, a polyunsaturated fatty acid that is known to be an important nutrient for the development of the cerebral cortex (Omni 30). The apparent shortage ofDHA in formula-fed babies may prove to be important. As a baby's brain grows, its cerebral cortex takes in DHA hungrily as well as other polyunsaturated fatty acids. These DHA or fatty acids act as building blocks that become part ofthe tissue that makes up one-quarter ofthe brain's solid mass. Do higher concentrations ofDHA lead to better, smarter baby brains? Researchers decline to draw any firm conclusions about this but they will state "Failure to maintain an intake of fatty acids similar to that provided by mature human milk may cause permanent adverse effects" (Science News 271).

Breast fed children perform better on intelligence tests and tend to talk earlier than average (Environment 21).

Bottle feeding contributes to dental decay and malocclusion (Lancet 1239) while breast feeding contributes to good jaw development through sucking, and since it's harder to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of healthy, straight teeth. Also the baby can control the flow of milk at the breast by sucking and stopping but with a bottle, the baby must constantly suck (Consumer 20).

Breast feeding also contributes to mother-baby bonding and may have psychological

benefits for the infant. At birth, infants see only 12 to 15 inches away, the same distance

between a nursing baby and its mother's face. Many Psychologists believe that the nursing baby

enjoys a sense of security from the warmth and presence of the mother, especially when there is

skin on skin contact during feeding. The mother of a bottle-fed baby may be tempted to prop

bottle up in the baby's mouth to free herselfto do other things, with no human contact during

feeding. While a nursing mother must cuddle her baby closely many times a day. Nursing

becomes more than a way to feed a baby, it becomes a time of love, warmth and comfort.

Nursing mothers often state that feeding time is more of ajoy instead of a chore (Consumer 21).

Nursing also forces a mother to get the rest she needs. She is forced to sit down and

put her feet up every couple of hours to nurse. Also, nursing at night is easy as well. Instead of

getting up and going to the kitchen to fix a bottle while the baby cries, a mother can lay down

with the baby and doze a little while nursing. Even when she is ill, a mother can still nurse.

Most common illnesses, such as colds, skin infections, flu, or diarrhea cannot be passed through

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breast milk. In fact, if a mother has an illness, her breast milk will provide the antibodies needed

to protect her baby form those same illnesses (Consumer 22).

A mother should start breast feeding within an hour after delivery if possible, when the

infant is awake and the sucking instinct is strong. Even though the mother won't be producing

milk yet, her breasts contain colostrum, a thin fluid containing antibodies to disease. It is

recommended that babies be breast-fed for six to twelve months. While nursing mothers need to

eat right, get rest, eat a balanced diet that includes 500 extra calories a day and drink six to eight

glasses of fluid. She will also need to rest as often as possible to prevent breast infections, whic~

are brought on by fatigue (Consumer 25).

Nursing your child saves money. The average cost spent on formula per month is aroune

$75.00 (Kiplinger 78). Studies also show that less money is spent on health care. On the

average breast-fed babies need medical attention 5 times less than formula fed babies (Consumer

Breast-feeding is good for new mothers as well as for their babies. There are no bottles te

sterilize and no formula to buy, measure and mix. It is easier for a nursing mother to lose pownd~

from the pregnancy as well, since nursing uses up extra calories (Consumer 21). In fact, a study

of 85 new mothers~who weren't dieting to lose weight and who breast-fed their babies for more

than six months lost about 10 pounds during the baby's first year, while those mothers using

formula lost a little more than 5 pounds. 'It takes an extra 500 or more calories a day just to

produce breast milk," says Kathryn G. Dewey, Ph.D. "So you'd have to eat that much more not

to lose weight" (Prevention 22).

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For nursing mothers that exercise studies show that exercising 4 to 5 times a week had ne

effect on breast-milk volume, milk composition or infant weight gain (Runner's World 22). But

exercise may increase the level oflactic acid in breast milk, giving it a sour taste that many

babies dislike. This level remains high for at least 90 minutes so ifyou are unable to breast-feed

before exercising, you may want to pump pre-exercise breast milk to feed your baby later

(Parents 22).

Nursing moms who are really on the go can actually fi•eeze their breast milk. Researcher

at the University of Guelph have found that short-term freezing does not affect folate content,

Mothers who properly freeze their breast milk for less that one month can be assured that their

baby is getting as much folate fiom the frozen milk as he would get from fresh breast milk. Afte

one month, frozen breast milk begins to lose folate. But as long as your baby gets folate from

other sources, he can drink breast milk that has been frozen for up to three months (Parents 24).

Breast-feeding helps protect nursing mothers against breast cancer. Researchers found

that women who breast-fed their first child when they were under 20, and for at least six months,

were roughly half as likely to suffer from breast cancer before menopause as those who had not

(Maclean's 48), Another study done in Nottingham, England shows that women who breast-feed

before the age of 36 reduce their risk for breast cancer - even when breast-feeding lasts for only a

few months. In fact, women who breast-fed forjust three months reduced their risk of breast

cancer by 6 percent. Researchers can't explain yet why breast-feeding seems to benefit younger

women. But because high levels ofestrogen are linked to breast cancer, they suspect that the

drop in estrogen during breast-feeding prevents tumors from developing (Health 16). Another

researcher at the University of Wisconsin Comprehensive Cancer Center did a study and her

results showed a 20 percent lower risk of getting breast cancer before menopause than mothers

who had not nursed (Science News 38). And yet another study shows that women who breast-

fed for 6 to 24 months - no matter what their age - had a 30 percent decrease in risk. And you

don't have to make a long-term commitment in order to benefit. The most helpful information

from all these studies is that even women who breast-feed for as little as four to six months can

achieve at least a 20 percent reduction in risk. Finally, the time spent breast-feeding can be

divided among babies. So you can nurse one child for four months and another for three months

and still benefit (Parents 36). Although the numbers may be different, each study shows a

significant decrease in risk for breast cancer in those women who breast fed.

There are some common concerns women have about breast feeding. One concern is;

Does a women with small breasts have problems with being able to produce enough milk for her

baby? No, breast size is really only a matter of how much fat tissue is present, and fat tissue ha~

nothing to do with milk production. The parts of the body that do affect milk production are the

milk-secreting glands in the breasts. These glands automatically enlarge during pregnancy in

response to signals from various hormones (Tufts 8).

Another concern is women who breast-feed lose bone, especially in the spine. A new

study shows that they generally regain the bone within six months of weaning their babies.

Experts used to think that breast-feeding drained calcium from bones but researchers at

Children's Hospital Medical Center found otherwise. "Most ofthe bone loss occurs within the

first 14 weeks postpar-turn (after the baby is born), when babies aren't taking in as much milk,"

says Bonny Specker, Ph.D. She believes the bone loss is due to the sudden dip in estrogen that

occurs immediately after delivery. But once a women stops nursing and menstruation starts

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again, her estrogen levels return to normal and she regains the lost bone. While eating caldum-

rich foods or taking supplements won't stop this bone loss, a nursing woman should make sure

she gets at least 1.2 milligrams of calcium daily to prevent further bone loss and to provide vital

nutrients to her baby (Parents 46),

There are very few medical reasons why a mother shouldn't breast feed. A few viruses

can pass through breast milk. HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, is one ofthem. Women ~yho are

HIV positive should not breast-feed. A few other illnesses such as herpes, hepatitis, and beta

streptococcus infections can also be transmitted through breast milk. Mothers with these

diseases also should not Breast feed (Consumer 21).

Even mothers who must take daily medication for conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes,

or high blood pressure can usually breast-feed. They should check first with the baby's

pediatrician. To minimize the baby's exposure, the mother can take the drugjust after nursing or

before the child sleeps. Pediatrics give the following list of drugs that are usually compatible

with breast-feeding:

* acetaminophen

" many antibiotics

* antiepileptics (although one, Primi-done, should be given with caution)

* most antihistamines

* alcohol in moderation (large amounts of alcohol can cause drowsiness, weakness, and

abnormal weight gain in an infant)

* aspirin (should be used with caution)

* caffeine (moderate amounts in drinks or food)

" codeine

* decongestants

* ibuprofen

* insulin

* quinine

" thyroid medications

(Consumer 25).

Some drugs can be taken by a nursing mother if she stops breast-feeding for a few days o

weeks. She can pump her milk and discard it during this time to keep up her supply, while the

baby drinks previously frozen milk.

Finally, some women just don't feel comfortable with the idea of nursing. They don't

want to handle their breasts, or they want to think of them as sexual, not functional. They may

be concerned about modesty and the possibility ofhaving to nurse in public. For all these

reasons and more a support group has been formed for nursing mothers. It's called La Leche

League with chapters in many cities that meet regularly to discuss breast-feeding problems and

offer support. League leaders offer advice by phone as well. To find a convenient La Leche

League call 1-800-LA-LECHE (Consumer 26).

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Last of all, here are ten mom-tested ways to get off to a good start:

1. Get comfortable. Many mothers find that they're spending up to six hours a day nursing thej

newborns. To avoid an aching back and sore arms, put your feet up and use pillows under the

baby to bring him closer to the breast.

2. Hold the breast well behind well behind the areola. To get perfect positioning, try putting

your right hand on your abdomen below the right breast. Slide the hand up until your fingers are

undemeath the breast and your thumb is on top. Keep this position as you guide the nipple to

your baby's mouth.

3. "Open wide." Your baby's mouth needs to be open as ifhe were yawning. Try tickling his

lower lip with your nipple. When he opens his mouth, pull him high onto the breast fast. This

can take dozens of tries in the beginning.

4. Hold the baby tummy to tummy when using the cradle hold. This will help keep the breast

properly positioned in the baby's mouth, which in turn will help prevent sore nipples. To get the

hold right, keep the baby's lower arm curled around your side and not between the two ofyou.

5. Don't be tied to the cradle hold. Some women find it the most difficult to master. The

football hold is a good starting position.

6. Eat and drink enough. For a lot of exhausted new moms, this can be tough, but taking care of

yourself needs to be a priority now. Bring along a glass of liquid every time you sit down to

nurse. And keep a box of crackers, some fruit, or a bowl of dry cereal next to where you nurse.

7. Don't use nursing time to play catch-up. Let the answering machine pick up, put the bills

aside and turn offthe television. This is time for you and your baby. Talk, coo, sing, or read

aloud to him.

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8. Don't worry if the baby falls asleep after the first breast. The composition of breast milk

changes during the course of a feeding and it's more important for the baby to get the rich milk

the end than to nurse on both breasts. Just start the next feeding with the breast that wasn't

suckled.

9. Change the baby's diaper between breasts. This way, ifyour baby drifts offto sleep while o~

the second breast, you won't have to break the mood. It has the added benefit of encouraging

sleepy babies to wake and finish their meals.

10. Keep in contact with other nursing mothers. Whether it's an occasional chat with a nursing

friend or an organized support group, talking with peers is important (Parents 22).

Works Cited

"Ask The Experts." Tufts Apr. 1994: 8.

Benson, Jessica R. "Nursing Made Easy." Parents Feb. 1995: 22-23.

Bradford, Tina C. "Exercise and Breast-Feeding do Mix." Runner's World Sept. 1994: 22.

"Brains of Fonnula-Feed Babies Differ." Science News Oct. 1992: 271.

"Breast-Feeding and Cancer." Maclean's Jan. 1994: 48.

Chen, Ingfei, and Katherine Griffin. "Breast-Feeding's Other Benefit." Health Nov.-Dec.

1993: 16.

Cunningham, Jelliffe. "A Warm Chain for Breast-Feeding." Cancer Nov. 1994: 1239-1242.

Fackelmann, K.A. "Nursing Protects Moms From Breast Cancer." Science News Jan. 1994:

38-39.

Gibney, Katherine T. "Does It Do Your Body Good' Environment Mar. 1996: 21.

"The Good News." Time Aug. 1995: 25.

Lawren, Bill. "Breasts, Bottles, and Babies' Brains." Omni Mar. 1994: 30.

Munson, Marty, and Greg Gutfeld. "The Milk Diet." Prevention Apr. 1994: 22.

"Nursing Women Can Regain Lost Bone." Parents Dec. 1995: 46.

Raloff, J. "Breast Milk: Can It Slime Away Disease?" Science News Dec. 1992: 390-391.

- - -, "More Ways Mother's Milk Fights Disease." Science News Apr. 1995: 231-232.

Schneider, Phyllis. "Nursing Reduces Risk ofEarly Breast Cancer." Parents June 1994: 36.

- - -, "Frozen Milk Is Fine For Baby." May 1995: 24.

Schultz, Dodi. "Nursing Morns' Exercise Tip." Parents Jan. 1993: 22.

- - -, "Nursing Vs. Ear Infections." Parents Feb. 1993: 28.

Williams, Rebecca D. "Breast-Feeding Best Bet For Babies." FDA Consumer Oct. 1995:19-26.

Annotated Bibliography

"Ask The Experts." Tufts Apr. 1994: 8.

This article discusses whether breast size makes a difference when breast-feeding.

Benson, Jessica R. "Nursing Made Easy." Parents Feb. 1995: 22-23.

This article discusses in detail 10 easy ways to begin breast-feeding.

Bradford, Tina C. "Exercise and Breast-Feeding do Mix." Runner's World Sept. 1994: 22.

This article advises that exercise does not affect the quality ofbreast milk.

"Brains ofFormula-Feed Babies Differ." Science News Oct. 1992: 271.

This article discusses the many ways breast milk helps the brain to develop.

"Breast-Feeding and Cancer." Maclean's Jan. 1994: 48.

This article advises that breast-feeding can help prevent breast cancer.

Chen, Ingfei, and Katherine Griffin. "Breast-Feeding's Other Benefit." Health Nov.-Dec.

1993: 16.

This article discusses how breast-feeding can help prevent breast cancer.

Cunningham, Jelliffe. "A Warm Chain for Breast-Feeding." Lancet Nov. 1994: 1239-1242.

This article advises that breast milk helps protect babies against disease and how it helps

them to fully develop.

Fackelmann, K.A. "Nursing Protects Moms From Breast Cancer." Science News Jan. 1994:

38-39.

This article advises that breast-feeding can help prevent breast cancer and also gives

detailed statistics as proof.

Gibney, Katherine T. "Does It Do Your Body Good?" Environment Mar. 1996: 21.

This article advises that breast milk helps protect babies against illnesses.

"The Good News." Time Aug. 1995: 25.

This article advises that breast-feeding can help prevent breast cancer.

Lawren, Bill. "Breasts, Bottles, and Babies' Brains." Omni Mar. 1994: 30.

This article discusses the many ways breast milk helps babies to develop.

Munson, Marty, and Greg Gutfeld. "The Milk Diet." Prevention Apr. 1994: 22.

This article advises that breast-feeding helps new mothers loose weight faster.

"Nursing Women Can Regain Lost Bone." Parents Dec. 1995: 46.

This article advises that after nursing women can regain lost bone due to pregnancy.

Raloff, J. "Breast Milk: Can It Slime Away DiseaseT Science News Dec. 1992: 390-391.

This article advises that breast milk can help protect infants against diarrhea.

- - -, "More Ways Mother's Milk Fights Disease." Science News Apr. 1995: 231-232.

This article discusses how breast-feeding can help prevent breast cancer.

Schneider, Phyllis. "Nursing Reduces Risk ofEarly Breast Cancer." Parents June 1994: 36.

This article gives detailed studies done to prove that breast-feeding helps prevent breast

cancer.

- - -, "Frozen Milk Is Fine For Baby." May 1995: 24.

This article discusses how morns on the go can freeze their breast milk without losing

important nutrients.

Schultz, Dodi. "Nursing Moms' Exercise Tip." Parents Jan. 1993: 22.

This article discusses how mothers who exercise can avoid producing sour tasting breast

milk.

- - -, "Nursing Vs. Ear Infections." Parents Feb. 1993: 28.

This article advises that breast milk can help protect babies against ear infections.

Williams, Rebecca D. "Breast-Feeding Best Bet For Babies." FDA Consumer Oct. 1995:19-26.

This article discusses how breast feeding protects babies, helps them to develop, saves

money, helps prevent breast cancer, is good for the mother and when to start breast

feeding.