Breastfeeding and Human Milk Essay

Breastfeeding is a tool, gift, and experience that a lot of mothers disregard, overlook and dismiss. This paper is aimed at proving the significance of this vital act of love. Breastfeeding not only provides vital nutrients, it also fosters many health, economic and emotional benefits. The advantages of breast milk will clearly outweigh any inconvenience some may complain of. Breast milk alone can provide all the nutrients a child needs until it is six months old with no other supplements needed. Human milk provides the perfect balance of nutrition, proteins, and hormones needed for a baby. It cannot be replicated by any other substance such as soy milks or formulas. Since breast milk is made specifically for the human infant, mother’s milk is more easily digested than any foreign substances like infant formula, cow’s milk or soy milk. Breast milk is a living substance, it will change as the baby’s nutritional needs change. There is no need to change it with age as you would with a traditional formula. Protein and essential fatty acids, such as DHA, that are found in human breast milk are perfect for assuring the best development for the central nervous system and brain. (llli.org 2007). There is no need for most mothers to introduce formula to their infants in order to assure health to their child. Formula is just an imitation of breast milk. I’m not sure why any mother would want to give their child such a cheap imitation when the best is available. It would be like wearing tennis shoes from Dollar General and throwing away a perfectly good pair of Louis Vuitton red stilettos. Human breast milk also has been proven to increase a child’s intelligence. Research suggests that the IQ’s of breastfed babies were significantly higher than those of formula fed infants. DHA found in human milk has been shown to boost visual acuity and cognitive development. (llli. org 2007) Additional health benefits also include but are not limited to: The brain, higher IQ’s are found in breastfed children. Cholesterol and other types of fat in human milk support the growth of nerve tissue. The eyes are helped. Visual acuity is higher in babies fed human milk. Even the ears stay healthier. Breastfed babies get fewer ear infections. The mouth palate is not disturbed as with some bottles. There is less need for orthodontics in children breastfed more than a year. There is improved muscle development of face from suckling at the breast. Subtle changes in the taste of human milk also prepares babies to accept a variety of solid foods. Throat surgeries are less likely. Children who are breastfed are less likely to require tonsillectomies. Respiratory systems are stronger. Evidence shows that breastfed babies have fewer and less severe upper respiratory infections, less wheezing, less pneumonia and less influenza. The heart and circulatory system reap benefits too. Evidence suggests that breastfed children may have lower cholesterol as adults. Heart rates are lower in breastfed infants. The digestive system sees fewer problems. Babies have less diarrhea, fewer gastrointestinal infections in babies who are breastfeeding. Six months or more of exclusive breastfeeding reduces risk of food allergies. Also, less risk of Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis in adulthood. The immune system is stronger. Breastfed babies respond better to vaccinations. Human milk helps to mature baby’s own immune system. Breastfeeding decreases the risk of childhood cancer. The endocrine system is boosted. There are reduced risk of getting diabetes. Kidneys do not have to work as hard. With less salt and less protein, human milk is easier on a baby’s kidneys. The appendix is healthier. Children with acute appendicitis are less likely to have been breastfed. The urinary tract sees fewer infections in breastfed infants. Joints and muscles hurt less. Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis is less common in children who were breastfed. Skin is smoother. Less allergic eczema is found in breastfed infants. Growth is regulated better. Breastfed babies are leaner at one year of age and less likely to be obese later in life. Bowels are cleaner. Less constipation and stools of breastfed babies have a less-offensive odor. (Sears, 2013) Another major perk of breastfeeding is the reduction in the SIDS rate. SIDS also known as Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is a worry to all mothers of newborns. Research has found that by just the act of breastfeeding, the instances of SIDS is less likely by 60%. (cdc. gov 2011) Sixty percent, that is not a small number. If I said that everyone would be sixty percent more likely to win the lottery if you bought your lottery ticket at Circle K grocery in Mountain View, Arkansas, most people would take off work, jump in their cars and race to get to Circle K. The lines to buy tickets would be out the door, but when you say breastfeeding reduces SIDS risk by 60%, most people just shrug it off. Makes one wonder which is more important to most people, the life of their child or the possibility of a little extra cash. I get that, yes, it is inconvenient at times, but once again the life of my child is more important. Breastfeeding is not fail safe, but can greatly improve the odds of a happy healthy baby. Breastfeeding also has numerous health benefits for the mother that a lot of people overlook or do not know. Nursing seems to reduce the chances of a woman getting breast cancer. The chances of breast cancer are reduced by twenty-five percent in breastfeeding moms. There is also a correlation in the length of time breastfed. The longer the child nurses the less the chance of the woman developing breast cancer. (Sears 2007) Another reward to the mother is the decrease in instances of osteoporosis. Non breastfeeding mothers are four times more likely to get a fracture from osteoporosis. (Sears, 2007) Ovarian cancer and uterine cancer risk are also slightly diminished by choosing to nurse. As per personal experience, I can vouch for the next benefit. I have six children and have had friends that were pregnant at the same time as me. Some of them breastfed and some of them did not. I have noted through the past few years that the mothers that breastfed consistently lost their pregnancy weight far faster than those that chose to formula feed. Breastfeeding burns many extra calories. Mothers that breastfeed tend to return to their pre pregnancy weights faster and have a smaller hip circumference one month postpartum. (WebMD, 2012) So, not only can I possibly increase my lifespan by nursing, I can look good doing it. The next benefit of nursing is financial. Breast milk is free! As with the economy being less than desirable, finances can be a bit tight. The cost of feeding an infant until age one is staggering. The cost to formula feed an infant is around $1200 per year. (kellymom. com 2012) Even with factoring in the cost of extra food for the nursing mom, the savings would be huge. Many low-income families have a very hard time affording the cost of formula, so the government ends up picking up the tab. If more moms would decide to nurse, the savings annually would be massive. Call me old fashioned or just plain hard, but I believe if a woman can breastfeed she should. There is no since in a woman sitting around sucking up government assistance when she could easily provide the nutrients herself for her child. Yes, I do understand some woman physically cannot breastfeed, but I believe most of it comes down to pure laziness and lack of effort. The emotional bond of nursing a child is also fostered by breastfeeding. Since physical contact is important for newborns, breastfeeding is perfect. It helps them feel more secure, comforted and warm. Moms also tend to relax and enjoy some quiet close times with their children. (womenshealth. gov, 2013) Having a newborn can be quite stressful and slowing down to take the time to hold your baby close and nurse skin to skin has quite the soothing effect for mothers. Nursing stimulates the production of Oxytocin, which lets the milk flow and calms the mother. While formula feeding moms still bond with their children, the closeness that mother and baby receive while nursing is far more than any bottle can provide. We have been the product of an on the go society. Everything is made to go fast fast fast. Unfortunately, our children have fell victim to this phenomena also. A lot of mothers sacrifice the bonds provided by breastfeeding for the convenience of a bottle. As mentioned earlier, breastfeeding can also benefit society. A nation could avoid 1000 deaths per year if 90 percent of mothers chose to breastfeed exclusively for at least six months. Also, we could save approximately $13 billion per year with less medical cost because breastfed babies tend to be healthier. (womenshealth.gov, 2013). With healthier children, moms would have to miss less work because of taking off for sick children. Society also can reap the rewards of less waste if more mothers breastfed. There would be less plastic waste from bottles and bottle liners. I really do not see why anyone would not want to at least attempt to feed their child naturally. The milk never has to be mixed, heated, or measured. Bottles do not have to be sterilized, washed, or bought. The milk will not expire or cost you a dime. The bond with the child will last a lifetime and the time will not be wasted. The immunity and health benefits are extensive. I do know that not all moms get the privilege of staying home with their children, but pumping is still a viable option. The milk itself is the real goal. The colostrum â€Å"first milk† has been deemed as liquid gold. Just a few weeks of colostrum can boost the child’s immunity greatly. If a woman can just give it a chance, it would be a choice she would never regret. There are no harmful effects for the mother from breastfeeding. The only time a mother should not breastfeed is when she has HIV or advanced cases of tuberculosis. (Medlineplus. gov, 2013) Also, another consideration would be if the mother is using illegal drugs. The drugs would be harmful if passed through the milk and ingested by the infant. All in all I believe breastfeeding is the best start any mom can give her child. We give our children shots in order to avoid diseases, why not give them the liquid gold that only a mommy can make? With just a little effort and selflessness, a mother can provide her baby with a lifetime of betterment. Bibliography Breastfeeding. April 5, 2013. Women’sHealth. gov. September 2013 www. womenshealth. gov/breastfeeding Breastfeeding. August 26, 2013. CDC. gov. September 2013 www. cdc. gov/breastfeeding Breastfeeding Answers. March 25, 2013. La Leche League. September 2013 www. llli. org Breastfeeding vs Formula. February 2012. WebMd. September 2013 http://www. webmd. com/baby/breastfeeding-vs-formula-feeding-twins? Common Newborn Concerns. October 26, 2011. KellyMom. September 2013 http://www. kellymom. com MedlinePlus. August 15, 2013. National Institutes of Health. September 2013 www. nlm. nih. gov.