Home > Health Information > All Categories > Nature Nurtures

Nature Nurtures
By: Laura Weidenfeld, M.D., Wesley J. Robertson, M.D. Amish Bhakta, M.D., Daniel Columbo, M.D., Joy Hall, M.D.

The Magic of Mother's Milk

Last month, this article focused on recent studies on links between breastfeeding and children's I.Q. scores, and I cautioned mothers not to overreact: No, you have not spoiled your child's intellectual future by bottle-feeding her. However, it is also worthwhile to discuss some of the better-known benefits of breastfeeding, benefits worth thinking about when deciding how to feed your own baby.

One of the most important advantages of breastfeeding, one that will never be duplicated with formula, is the transference of antibodies from mother to child. They serve to boost the baby's immune system, preventing many illnesses. Even when the breastfed do get sick, they seem to recover more quickly.

Babies tolerate breast milk better than commercially prepared formulas. For starters, babies better handle the protein balance in breast milk; it is more easily broken down by both the kidneys and intestines, making breast milk more easily digestible. The better balance of ingredients also make problems like constipation and diarrhea virtually non-existent.

Infants are also unlikely to be allergic to breast milk. However, they can have problems with certain foods in the mother's diet. While mild sensitivities to food that the mother ingests occur, true allergies necessitating complete removal of the item from the diet is rare.

As far as cost and convenience, you can't beat breast milk. Except for the few extra calories ingested by the lactating mother, breast milk is free. Also, there is no cleaning, preparing and heating bottles involved. The milk is ready to go, anytime, anywhere. This is certainly helpful at midnight, 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., when just finding the kitchen is difficult, let alone preparing a meal.

Let's not forget the advantages to the mother, such as quicker recovery time to that pre-pregnant figure. Breastfeeding helps shrink the uterus and burns about 500 extra calories a day. It also helps build a strong bond between baby and mother. While this unique role as meal-giver may be wonderful for some, others may find they need a reprieve from time to time. This is why some mothers choose to bottle-feed; it allows moms to rest, but gives dads an opportunity to be involved with the feeding process as well. Some fathers feel left out when mothers breastfeed exclusively.

Formula is generally "heavier" than breast milk, so it tends to stay in the stomach longer, prolonging the time between feedings. For weary new parents, even one extra hour of sleep can be wonderful. If formula is used, there are also no dietary restrictions on the mother. She can eat or drink what she wants and take any medication needed without concern that it might be passed into the milk and affect the baby.

Bottle-feeding also allows you to more easily monitor your baby's intake. Many new parents wonder if their baby is getting enough to eat and find the visualization of exact amounts reassuring. Of course, a mom also can pump breast milk into a bottle and get the same information, so this doesn't necessarily support one feeding method over the other.

Many mothers both bottle and breastfeed. This way they give their babies the nutritional and immune advantages of breast milk and still enjoy some of the freedom of bottle-feeding. Breastfeeding is not an all or nothing matter, and if you choose or need to supplement with formula, you still get all the advantages of breast milk. Many people worry about starting supplementation too early, before the breastfeeding is really going well. The fear is that the baby may not go back to the breast after he or she has taken milk from a bottle. This is a real concern, as it is much easier to drink from a bottle than a breast. However, most babies don't have a problem switching back and forth. Even if your baby does refuse the breast, one can always pump and give him all the advantages of breast milk. As you can see, there are many choices when it comes to feeding your baby. While breastfeeding is recommended, you need to make the choice that's right for you and your infant. A happy mother usually makes for a happy baby, so you need to be comfortable with your choice.

Laura Weidenfeld, M.D., Wesley J. Robertson, M.D. Amish Bhakta, M.D., Daniel Columbo, M.D., Joy Hall, M.D.