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Breastfeeding: Best for Moms, Babies and the Environment
Is breast truly best? Deciding how to nourish their baby is
one of the first of many important decisions parents will make
regarding the health of their infant. Parents can either choose to
feed their baby with commercially manufactured baby formula, or
they can do what humans have been doing for thousands of years
and breastfeed their infant. Up until the twentieth century, there
wasn’t much of a decision to be made. Babies were either
breastfed by their mothers or wet nurses or they would starve to
death. In 1869, the first commercially produced infant formula
was invented by Justus von Leibig. Infant formula was originally
intended to provide babies with nutrition when their mother’s
could not. By 1950, due to convenience, low price and apparent
nutritional superiority, over half of all American babies were being
fed infant formula and by 1970 over 75 percent were being
formula fed (Warner). Recently, though, breastfeeding has been
making a slow comeback. Parents are re-learning what mothers
have known for thousands of years: that breastfeeding is the
healthiest way to feed their babies.
Although the composition of infant formula has come a
long way since its invention in the late 1800’s, breast milk is still
far superior for many reasons. First and most important, breast
milk is specially formulated by a mother for her individual
baby. It contains properties which protect the child from illness
and disease, boosts IQ and promotes emotional growth (Spangler
3). Breastfeeding also has advantages for the mother. It reduces
the risk of certain cancers and increases bone thickness which
reduces the risk of osteoporosis (Spangler 1). Breastfeeding is also
costs nothing and reduces the strain on our already stressed earth.
One of the biggest advantages of breastfeeding is the breast
milk produced by each mother is specifically designed to nourish
her own infant. It is easily digested so breastfed babies have less
stomach upsets and it changes to meet the needs of the baby as it
grows (Spangler 3). Breast milk contains 100 ingredients that
formula manufacturers are unable to reproduce (Perkins). The
most important of these ingredients are antibodies, or
immunoglobulins. In his article “How Breast Milk Protects
Newborns,” Dr. Jack Newman explains how antibodies actively
protect newborns from various infections. As the baby
breastfeeds, the antibodies produced by the mother in response to
her environment are passed to the baby. Some of the cells attach
themselves to the intestines and block harmful microbes from
entering the baby’s system. Other cells stimulate the baby’s own
immune system so that he will be better equipped to fight the ear
infections, colds and stomach bugs that infants are so often
exposed to. The result is a healthier infant who is less likely to
contract many of the illnesses he is exposed to on a daily basis
(Newman).
Breastfeeding has also been shown to reduce other diseases
which usually occur later in life. According to the article
“Breastfeeding May Help Prevent Obesity, Diabetes,” a study
conducted at the University of South Carolina compared 80
children diagnosed with type 2 Diabetes. The results of the study
suggest that breastfeeding lowers the risk of childhood obesity and
therefore lowers the risk of developing type 2 Diabetes later in life
(Babycenter). Other studies have been conducted that strongly
suggest that breastfeeding protects children against Crohn’s
disease, Hodgkin’s disease and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis
(Disease). More recent studies of older children and adults have
led experts to believe that breastfeeding offers some protection
against heart disease, stroke, hypertension and auto-immune
disease (Wight).
Not only are breastfed babies healthier as children and
adults, but they may also be smarter, as several recent studies have
indicated breastfeeding increases a child’s IQ score. In a study of
3,000 children, breastfeeding was shown to produce an IQ score of
about 7 points above average if the child has a certain variation of
the FADS2 gene. According to Julia Kim-Cohen, assistant
professor of psychology at Yale University, the gene is the crucial
factor in determining how a child’s body processes the fatty acids
contained in breast milk. In children where the gene variation is
present, the body processes the fatty acid more efficiently and
promotes better brain development (IQ). Some researchers also
suspect the higher IQ scores are related to the increased interaction
between breast fed babies and their mothers. Since breast milk is
digested so easily, breast fed babies must be fed more often and
therefore they receive more direct human contact which is thought
to increase intelligence (Sears).
Aside from being the best way to feed infants,
breastfeeding also has immediate advantages for
mothers. Breastfeeding signals the brain to release oxytocin, a
hormone that causes the uterus to contract after birth which
prevents excessive bleeding and helps the uterus return to its
normal size. Breastfeeding also signals the brain to release
prolactin. This hormone produces a calming effect in the mother
which helps her nurture and bond with her baby (Spangler
2). Breastfeeding also burns calories, helping new moms lose the
weight they gained during pregnancy. A bottle feeding mom
would have to swim 30 laps or bike uphill for one hour to burn the
calories that a breastfeeding mom uses just while sitting and
feeding her baby (Dermer).
In addition to the immediate benefits of breastfeeding,
nursing moms also enjoy many long term effects. Breastfeeding
reduces a mother’s risk of developing cancer of the breast, uterus
and ovaries (Spangler 1). In fact, by breastfeeding a total of 6 to
24 months during her life a woman can reduce her chance of breast
cancer by almost 25 percent (Dermer). A study conducted at Yale
University suggests that breastfeeding for longer than 24 months
could reduce a mother’s risk of breast cancer by 50 percent
(Breastfeeding). In addition to offering protection against cancer,
breastfeeding also reduces the risk of osteoporosis and hip
fractures by improving bone thickness. While a breastfeeding
mother may lose calcium while nursing, her bone density will rise
to her pre pregnancy level or even higher after the baby is weaned
(Dermer).
Breastfeeding also offers families an economic
advantage. The average formula fed infant consumes at least
$1000.00 worth of infant formula during the first year of
life. Since breastfed babies tend to get sick less frequently, they
will save their parents about $400.00 a year in healthcare
costs. Fewer illnesses also mean that the parents will miss fewer
days of work therefore lessening the amount of wages a parent will
lose (Spangler 2).
Breastfeeding is great for babies and mothers but
breastfeeding can also impact our environment. The production of
infant formula requires the use of many natural resources such as
coal, gas and oil. Infant formula production also requires cow’s
milk, paper, aluminum and other materials. Manufacturing infant
formula puts unnecessary strain on our environment. Breast milk
doesn’t need to be manufactured and shipped to consumers. There
are no byproducts and there is no packaging to end up in a landfill
(Spangler 2). Breastfeeding is the most eco-friendly way to feed a
baby.
For many years mothers have used their breasts to feed
their babies. Only recently have women started to abandon their
maternal instincts and rely on breast milk substitutes to feed their
infants. Infant formula manufacturers have been trying to
duplicate breast milk for over 100 years with little success. Breast
milk contains antibodies to protect against illness and just the right
nutrition to help babies thrive. Although infant formula can
sustain babies and help them grow, it should by no means be the
standard. Though the saying may seem cliché, breast is truly best.
Works Cited
“Breastfeeding Boosts IQ In Infants With 'Helpful' Genetic
Variant.” Science Daily. 6 Nov.
2007. Duke University. 26 Apr. 2008
.
“Breastfeeding May Help Prevent Obesity, Diabetes.” Babycenter.
13 Mar. 2008. 26 Apr.
2008 < http://www.babycenter.com/204_breastfeedingmay-help-prevent-obesitydiabetes_5229805.bc>.
“Disease Prevention.” Breastfeeding.com. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008
.
Dermer, Alicia. “A Well-Kept Secret: Breastfeeding's Benefits to
Mothers.” La Leche League
International Webpage. 14 Oct. 2007. La Leche League
International. 26 Apr. 2008
.
“Less Chance of Breast Cancer and Other Cancers.”
Breastfeeding.com. 2008. 26 Apr. 2008
.
Newman, Jack. “How Breastfeeding Protects Newborns.”
Breastfeeding Online. 2006. Cindy
Curtis. 26 April 2008.
.
Perkins, Sharon. “Comparing Formula and Breastmilk.”
Breastfeeding for Dummies. 2008. 26
Apr. 2008
.
Sears, William. “Breastfeeding Builds Brighter Brains.”
AskDrSears Homepage. 2006. 26 Apr.
2008 .
Spangler, Amy. Breastfeeding: A Parent’s Guide. Cincinatti:
Specialty Lithographing Co,
2006.
Warner, Detlef. “The History of Baby Formula.” EzineArticles. 9
Feb. 2008. 26 Apr.
2008 .
Wight, Nancy A. The Benefits of Breastfeeding. Oct. 1997. San
Diego County Breastfeeding
Coalition. 26 Apr. 2008
.