Sally
Myer
Nebraska
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 23 No. 2, March-April 2006, pp. 82-83
From: NEW BEGINNINGS, Vol. 23 No. 2, March-April 2006, pp. 82-83
The most common reason mothers probably choose to
breastfeed is the knowledge that human milk is the superior infant food. It
contains live cells, like those in blood. Some components of human milk also
enhance the effects of others, so the ingredients of human milk work together.
In contrast, only a small percentage of some ingredients of formula are
absorbed; mixing ingredients in formula does not guarantee they will act
together the way they do in human milk.
Human Milk Is Designed for
Babies
Human milk is species-specific. The milk of each
mammal species has adapted to supply its offspring with what is needed for optimal
growth and survival. Some species' milks are relatively high in fat to lay down
a thick layer of body fat, while those with high protein use it for rapid
growth and maturation. Those species that need readily available sources of
sugar to meet the needs of their rapidly growing brains have milk that is
higher in carbohydrates. Humans are the slowest growing and maturing mammals,
but also have the most advanced brains. So it makes sense that the protein
content of human milk is relatively low while the level of carbohydrates is
high.
Human milk contains levels of vitamins and minerals
appropriate for the healthy, full-term, human infant. It is ever-changing --
from the beginning of the feeding to the end, from feeding to feeding, and from
day to day. The infant provides many signals that stimulate some of the changes
in his mother's milk. When following her infant's feeding cues, a mother can be
assured that her child will benefit from those changes. For instance, if the
milk taken at a particular feeding is lower in fat (fat is the most variable
constituent of mother's milk), the infant will become hungry again sooner. If
his cues are followed and he receives the next few feedings close together
(cluster feeds), the higher fat milk he receives (fat content goes up when the
breast is less full) will ensure his overall fat intake is adequate.
Human Milk Has
Anti-Infective Properties
Breastfeeding mothers often notice that their
children are sick less often than children who aren't breastfed. Human milk provides
different kinds of defense against disease, including secretory antibodies
against specific pathogens. It also contains lactoferrin, which not only is the
source of iron for breastfed infants, but also appears to have antibacterial
and antiviral properties. Other components in human milk protect infants on a
molecular level because their actual shape hinders certain pathogen's access to
the infant.
Because human milk has protective qualities,
infants who are not breastfed have more emergency room visits,
hospitalizations, and treatments with antibiotics. The protective effects
extend beyond weaning. (See the table below.)
Human milk offers immunological protection against
many chronic diseases. According to Outcomes
of Breastfeeding versus Formula Feeding, compiled by Ginna Wall, MN,
IBCLC, and Jon Ahrendsen, MD, FAAFP, human milk feeding is associated with less
risk of the following diseases: celiac disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis,
sudden infant death syndrome, childhood cancer, autoimmune thyroid disease,
appendicitis, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, helicobacter pylori
infection (associated with gastric ulcers), Crohn's disease, colitis, juvenile
rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, tonsillitis, allergies, atopic disease, and
asthma. (This comprehensive report can be found
The mechanism of these apparent long-term
immunologic benefits remains unclear, although theories abound. Human milk
contains bioactive components that enhance the growth and development of the
human infant.
One gastrointestinal hormone, cholecystokinine (CCK)
signals sedation and a feeling of satiation and well-being. During suckling,
CCK release in both mother and infant produces a sleepy feeling. The infant's
CCK level peaks twice after suckling. The first peak occurs immediately after
the feeding. It peaks again 30 to 60 minutes later. The first CCK rise is
probably induced by suckling; the second by the presence of milk in the GI
tract. The drop of infant CCK levels 10 minutes after a feeding implies a
"window" within which the infant can be awakened to feed from the
second breast or to reattach to the first side for additional fat-rich milk.
Waiting 30 minutes after the feeding before laying the baby down takes
advantage of the second CCK peak to help the infant to stay asleep.
Human Milk Contains Essential
Fatty Acids
The essential fatty acids in human milk optimize
cognitive function and vision. Studies have found that premature infants who
received human milk via feeding tube were more advanced developmentally at 18
months and at seven to eight years of age than those of comparable gestational
age and birth weight who had received formula by tube. Such observations
suggest that human milk has a significant impact on the growth of the central
nervous system. Also, breastfed infants have higher visual acuity. These
benefits of human milk can be attributed to the presence of long-chain
polyunsaturated fatty acids, docosahexanoic acid (DHA) and arachidonic acid
(AA). Although some formulas have recently added these ingredients, it is
unknown if they will have similar effects long-term.
The hormones, live antibacterial and antiviral
cells, and essential fatty acids are just some of the reasons why human milk is
the vastly superior infant food. It is a truly unique substance that cannot be
copied artificially.
Editor's
Note: This article originally appeared in the Nebraska Area Leader's Letter.
*
This link updated in May, 2007
Resources
Lawrence, R. and Lawrence, R. Breastfeeding; A Guide for the Medical
Professional. St. Louis: Mosby. 2005.
Riordan, J. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett
2005.
Composition of milk of
various mammals
|
|
Page last edited 2007-10-14 09:29:46 UTC.
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario
Hola, si leíste el post, seguro tenés algo que comentar, pues hacelo!!!