We’ve all heard the sentence tagged at the end of all the milk ads: “Breast Milk is best for babies up to two years.” Beyond just breast milk, though, it’s also breastfeeding itself that is best for babies. But why exactly? We sit down with Abbie Yabot, lactation and breastfeeding expert and coach, to learn the basics behind that well known statement.
Why breastfeed vs formula feed
“I always start with the statement that cows have four stomachs whereas babies only have one,” Abbie says. The main reason why breastfeeding trumps formula is because breastmilk is built for humans. Cow’s milk (where most formula milk is made from) is meant to be digested by an animal with four stomachs, that’s four times the processing a little baby can do with their one stomach. Breast milk has nutrients made for a human baby’s needs, with no waste or toxins.
“Even if milk is fortified, if the baby doesn’t need it, then it becomes a toxin or waste in your baby’s body,” Abbie continues. “Breast milk is bioavailable, meaning it is ready for use by the body within 30 minutes. It will perfectly match your baby. No need for extra fortification.”
It is the extra fortification found in formula that may be one of the reasons why it is often recommended that formula fed babies be given water after each feeding. This is to aid in the digestion of the formula milk. Breast milk, which is naturally 70% water, does not need any digestive aid, which is why breastfed babies have soft stool that is easy for the baby to pass, whereas formula fed babies end up with hard poop.
“Breastfed babies also rarely get sick,” Abbie says. She explains by saying that though they can become ill, they probably won’t have extreme ailments because of the vitamins and nutrients and antibodies found in breast milk.
Finally, Abbie shares that breastfed babies save their parents roughly Php250,000.00 in the course of two years. That figure being what a parent would typically spend on formula.
In a nutshell: Breast milk is perfectly made for humans; benefiting them so that they have a comfortable infancy, rarely become ill, and save their parents money!
Why direct latch vs bottle feeding
“The baby’s direct suckling has a different stimulation, and the milk adjusts to what they need (depending on time of day, necessary antibodies, etc.) because the baby’s saliva sends signals through the Montgomery glands so that the mom’s body can adapt and give the baby the antibodies or nutrients that they need at that time. It’s highly specialised milk,” she shares.
Apart from being extremely specialised, a direct latch helps a mm stabilise supply. Oversupply or undersupply are common issues among moms that pump, and Abbie recommends not to pump before the baby’s 7th week so that supply issues do not occur. Hyperlactation (a very fast flow) can also happen if a mother pumps before the 7th week, and this could lead to the baby choking because they are unable to handle the flow, which could then lead them to choose not to breastfeed.
Beyond this, a direct latch helps a child’s oral development. Because direct breastfeeding forces children to exercise all the muscles in their mouth, it is a natural precursor to speaking. “Breastfed babies can speak clearer because of all the practice in the mouth muscles,” Abbie explains.
Finally, direct latching means you can take your baby anywhere without having to bring the entire kitchen with you. Meaning the steriliser, the bottle wash, the scrubber, and all the bottles, etc. etc.
Successful breastfeeding
“In all breastfeeding, regardless of supply, positioning and latch are the keys to success,” Abbie says. At the end of the day, both mommy and baby have to be comfortable for breastfeeding to be successful, so moms need to aim for both their comfort and the baby’s comfort. For moms this means making sure the baby has a good latch. For babies this means practicing the different breastfeeding positions (there are 4 basic ones), until the baby finds the ones that they really enjoy and are relaxed. Once these are found, moms can gear up to breastfeed for up to two years.
“Breast milk is best continued until two years of age. After that most nutrients should come from healthy and nutritious foods,” says Abbie. “Breast milk can be a supplement because its nutrient composition is still perfect for the age of the child as they grow, but I encourage moms to try and complete the two years. Studies have shown that a lot of brain development happens in the first four years of a child’s life, and breastfeeding can play a big role in that.”
“Furthermore, breastfeeding and breast milk are the beginning of good nutrition,” says Abbie. “If you can breastfeed your child and feed them healthily in those first few years, then they will continue to eat healthy all of their life, even in a world of junk.”
August is breastfeeding month, and Mommy Mundo is gearing up for a session with Abbie Yabot! Ask all your breastfeeding questions in our online webinar! Register here for free!
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