Breast milk contains unique elements that are not found in any baby formulas. It consists of the perfect combination of proteins, fats, vitamins, carbohydrates, and minerals. (Pray).
One of the components of breast milk is protein. Protein is the most important factor in ensuring proper growth and development of the infant. There are two types of proteins: whey is 60 percent and casein is 40 percent. This balance of the proteins allows for quick and easy digestion. Formula has a greater percentage of casein. It will be more difficult for the baby to digest. 60-80% of all protein in human milk is whey protein. These proteins have great infection-protection properties. (Riordan, 106). The protein in human milk has a balance of essential amino acids more suited to human growth and development (Shier, 921-925).
Next component of human milk is fat. Fat is significant for the baby’s health. It is necessary for the brain, retina, and nervous system development, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and is a primary calorie source. Long chain fatty acids deposited in the brain during the last three months of pregnancy and are also found in breast milk. Two essential fatty acids vital to infants’ development are DHA and Arachidonic acid. DHA can be derived from the omega-3 fatty acid found in flax seed oil or eaten directly in the form of fish oil. Arachidonic acid can be derived from omega-6 acid from sunflower oil, butter, and eggs. A nursing mother who consumes these healthful fats makes breast milk containing sufficient amounts of omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. A 2001 study in Acta Pediatrica found that higher blood levels of DHA and Arachidonic acid were associated with better visual and cognitive development in infants. These special fats collect in the brain and retina. If they are absent in the diet, the child is likely to suffer from learning disabilities and vision problems (Riordan, 103).
Compositions of breast milk include different types and amount of vitamins. It depends on the mother vitamin intake. That is why healthcare providers prescribe to pregnant and nursing mothers prenatal vitamins. It is essential that the mother gets nutrition, including vitamins. Vitamin A is needed for healthy skin and eyes. It also helps to prevent infection. Vitamin D develops strong bones in a baby. Breast milk is an excellent source of vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and provides protection against damaging substances in the body. (Riordan, 106).
Carbohydrates are essential components of breast milk. Their most important function is a source of energy. While infants can use protein and fat for energy, using carbohydrates for energy spares protein and fat to be used as building blocks for muscles, nerves and other vital structures. Lactose is the primary carbohydrate in human milk. It helps to fight disease and promotes the growth of healthy bacteria in the stomach (Lawrence, 117).
For the first few days after giving birth, a new mother’s breasts produce colostrum (the first milk that a mother’s body produces), which has less sugar and fat than mature milk but more protein, and rich in antibodies. When the milk matures by a week to ten days, it has antibodies, enzymes and white blood cells called leukocytes from the mother that continue infection protection (Williams). Breastfed babies have fewer illnesses such as ear infections, diarrhea, and lower respiratory allergies because human milk transfers to the infant a mother's antibodies to disease. About 80 percent of the cells in breast milk are macrophages, cells that kill bacteria, fungi and viruses. Breast milk provides everything most babies need to build a healthy brain and grow properly for the first six months of life (Riordan, 111).
Different studies have found that breastfeeding for six months or more makes it less likely that baby will go on to develop food or respiratory allergies (Riordan, 116). Scientists believe that the fatty acids and immune factors in breast milk prevent allergic reactions by stopping large foreign proteins from getting into a baby's system.
A breastfed babies nurses until he or she is full, not until a certain number of ounces have been drunk. That may explain why breastfed babies are less likely to be obese than bottle-fed infants. Breast milk also contains less insulin than formula. Insulin stimulates the creation of fat (Shier, 925).
Sucking at the breast promotes good jaw development as well. It’s harder work to get milk out of a breast than a bottle, and the exercise strengthens the jaws and encourages the growth of straight, healthy teeth. The baby at the breast also can control the flow of milk by sucking and stopping. With a bottle, the baby must constantly suck or react to the pressure of the nipple placed in the mouth (BabyCenter).
Breastfeeding also reduces a child's risk of developing insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes (MotherFriendly.com). Most children with diabetes have type 1 diabetes. With this condition, the pancreas loses its ability to produce any or enough insulin. Avoiding early introduction of solid foods, and other factors may play a role in lowering the risk of developing the disease.
Breastfeeding may help boost a child's intelligence. Experts from Canada's McGill University have found a possible connection between breast feeding an infant and a higher IQ. They found that those who were breastfed exclusively for the first three months, with many also continuing to 12 months, scored an average of 5.9 points higher on IQ tests in their childhood. "Long-term, exclusive breastfeeding appears to improve children's cognitive development."- said lead researcher Professor Michael Kramer. The researchers also suggested breastfeeding may increase verbal interaction between mother and child, which in turn could aid their development. (BBC News). Fatty acids are a combination of several different nutrients. Some of these nutrients are produced by human body. Others are not, and need to be brought into the body through food sources (Price).
Mothers and babies enjoy breastfeeding a lot and it is recommended for at least six month. After that they can complete this enjoyable relationship as long as it comfortable for both of them. "Parents and health professionals need to recognize that the benefits of breastfeeding (nutritional, immunological, cognitive, emotional) continue as long as breastfeeding itself does, and that there never comes a point when you can replace breast milk with infant formula, cows' milk or any other food, or breastfeeding with a pacifier or teddy bear, without some costs to the child." –Katherine A. Dettwyler (Kellymom. Breastfeeding and Parenting). I have continued breastfeeding my fourteen month old baby girl. I think that the most important part of nursing a toddler is the special relationship between child and mother. Breastfeeding is a life-affirming act of love.
After a year breast milk still contains protein, fat, and other nutritionally important elements which children need. Some immune factors in breast milk that protect the baby against infection are present in greater amounts in the second year of life than in the first. Breast milk still contains factors that help the brain, gut, and other organs to develop.
Breast milk provides a lot of benefits for baby and mother too. Health benefits to mothers who breastfeed including reduced risk of breast cancers, reduced risk of osteoporosis, faster return of the uterus to its pre-pregnant state, steady weight loss (WomensHealth.gov).
Every woman wants to lose weight after delivery. Breastfeeding can burn from 500-1500 calories a day (Mothering from the heart). It happens because the body burns calories while it makes breast milk. Mother does not need to be on diet, she needs just to eat healthy food. It helps the uterus to get back to its original size and lessens bleeding a woman may have after giving birth (CBS News). Breastfeeding can help a mother bond with her baby. Physical contact is important to newborns and can help them feel more secure, warm and comforted. Women that breastfeed can save time, money and makes life easier. Bottles must be washed. Formula has to be prepared and warmed before use. All these activities take time.
Also breastfeeding it is not only a natural resource, which prevent diseases to infant and mother, it is also saves money for family and society. For families, the purchase of infant formula can amount to $1,200–$1,500 or more for the baby’s first year (Riordan, 17). If specialized formula is required, the cost doubles. Many women return to work before a child is 1 year old. When these women miss work, it often is because their children are ill. As breastfed infants have been shown to be less likely to catch common infectious illnesses than formula-fed infants, it is possible that mothers who breastfeed may miss fewer days from work to care for a sick child than mothers who feed formula.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) is the largest purchaser of infant formula. They
buy approximately 40 percent of all formula sold in the United States. $578 million per year in federal funds is spent by WIC to buy formula for families who could be breastfeeding. Every 10 percent increase in breastfeeding rates among WIC recipients would save WIC $750,000 per year (U.S. Breastfeeding Committee).
Very few illnesses require the mother to stop breastfeeding. Women with medical conditions such as colds, flu, skin infections, or diarrhea can still breastfeed, because these illnesses cannot be passed through breast milk. When a mother has an illness, her breast milk will contain antibodies to it that will help protect her baby from those same illnesses. Breast cancer is not passed through breast milk. Women who have had breast cancer can usually breastfeed from the unaffected breast. Studies have shown that breastfeeding a child reduces a woman's chance of developing breast cancer later.
However, a few viruses can pass through breast milk. One of them is HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Women who are HIV positive should not breastfeed. Other illnesses such as herpes and hepatitis infections can also be transmitted through breast milk. But that doesn't always mean a mother with those diseases shouldn't breast-feed (Lawrence, 476-484). If a mother has any health problems it is better to discuss with a doctor before breastfeeding.
In conclusion, one of the hardest decisions that a new mother will have to make is how she would feed her newborn. I think it depends on the situation and lifestyle. Breastfeeding is definitely great. It’s healthier for babies, less doctor visits and help to save family budget. But some women have a hard time doing it or are really uncomfortable with it. If the mother is a stay-at-home mom obviously it will be easier to breastfeed. But for a working mother it would be more difficult. Personally, I think breastfeeding is the best way to go. It is as nature intended and provides all the proper balance in nutrition. Women who nurse get their figures back faster and have lower chances of breast cancer. For the babies they have fewer illnesses and get a better jaw development. But the real reason to breastfeed is when the mother and the child will look into each others eyes while breastfeeding, mother realizes what love is.