Message #987 - THE_HERBALIST Subject: A QUESTION R.E. BREAST MILK ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PK> What is a mother who has insufficient or no breast milk supposed to do? PK> What is the quality of breast milk like from a mother who is suffering PK> from disease or malnutrition? How about mothers who are drug addicts? PK> What about babies whose mothers die at birth? Answers to your questions: (1) We are not suggesting that no one ever buy any infant formula. However, with proper support, nutrition, etc., only 2-4% of the female population of the WORLD actually has a physical problem that would keep her from making enough milk. Please note that we are not suggesting that infant formula be removed from the market, or anything of the sort. We are only suggesting that boycotting the formula manufacturers who are using irresponsible marketing techniques will force them to change their approach. Also, there are breastmilk banks where safe breastmilk is available to those who cannot, for whatever reason, supply their own milk for their babies. There are also women who will "wet nurse" a child...though most women today are very put off by this idea, it was a very common thing in the past and is still being done on a smaller scale. (2) In laboratory analysis, the breastmilk of women in areas where nutrition is poor (Third World countries, etc.) has proved to be every bit as nutritious for their children as the breastmilk of healthy women. The composition of the milk changes only marginally. This is one of the biggest reasons that women in these areas have breastfed their children almost exclusively for the first several years of life. They may not put it in those terms, but they know that children who are weaned earlier tend to be sicker and to die. (Of course, it also protects them from unwanted pregnancies.) As for disease, you don't say what sort of disease you are referring to. There are few diseases that prevent a woman from breastfeeding. Those that do are usually actually contraindicated to breastfeeding because the medication the mother takes could be harmful to the child. (3) Babies born to drug-addicted mothers can be successfully breastfed. In fact, because of the extreme problems these babies often have at birth, breastfeeding is highly recommended, because of its effects on the immature immune system, nervous system, etc. If a mother is disinterested in breastfeeding, obviously she isn't going to. As I said above, the baby can be given breastmilk from another woman. Or, of course, the baby can have formula. But formula is ALWAYS second best. Especially when a baby is born with several strikes against her, doesn't it only seem right to give her the best that we can of everything? (4) Once again, babies whose mothers die at birth can receive breastmilk. Adoptive mothers can breastfeed, a "surrogate" or "wet nurse" can breastfeed, or breastmilk can be obtained from a generous woman or a breastmilk bank. The final point to make in any discussion of breastfeeding vs. bottle (formula) feeding is simply this: in North America, we have been led to believe by formula manufacturers and medical professionals (who are educated and "bought" by the formula manufacturers) that formula feeding is equal to or almost equal to breastfeeding. Nothing could be further from the truth!!! Infant formulas made from cow's milk are known to cause or otherwise be linked to many physiological problems, including allergies, immune disorders, colic, infections, hormonal problems, and more. Infant formulas made from soy have been shown to put estrogen in the child's system...an amount equal to several contraceptive pills a day. Following the DES tragedy, it is incredibly frightening to think what these hormones could be doing to our children...will we wait to find out until they are adults, like we did with DES? And we cannot overlook the benefits of breastfeeding. First of all, the obvious is that it's so EASY!!! No bottles to sterilize, no powders to mix, no warming, no cooling, it doesn't spoil, it's always available, ready and warm, no waiting while baby screams...you get the picture. However, there are much more profound benefits. Breastfeeding protects a woman against breast cancer...if you nurse a child for one year, you have a 30% less chance of developing breast cancer...if you nurse for two years (one child or two, a total of two years is what's important), you have a 66% less chance of developing breast cancer. If you breastfeed your baby, you have about half the chance of having mild to severe postpartum depression. Breastfeeding also protects babies against diabetes, celiac, crohns, ulcerative colitis, colic, constipation, urinary tract infections, ear infections, auto-immune diseases of the thyroid, respiratory illness of all kinds, diarrhea, tooth decay and malocclusion, necrotising enterocolitis, lymphoid hypertrophy and chronic liver disease. Breastfed babies develop higher IQs than those who receive no human milk, and like all young mammals, do best with milk from their own species. Breastfeeding promotes healthy oral development, satisfies sucking needs, and enhances bonding and skin-to-skin contact between mother and child. Breastfeeding prevents loneliness.