Breast Milk Should be Drunk Right Away
Research Finds That Components in Milk Change Throughout the Day
Oct 10, 2009
The benefits of breast milk over formula have been probed and research for decades now. According to several articles and studies from the World Health Organization's (WHO) forum, Global Data Bank on Breastfeeding, breast milk is simply healthier and the best food for newborns, since it affects a child's subsequent physiological and overall development. It even prevents certain illnesses and conditions that may affect a child early on, such as diarrhea and colds. Although this information seems good and dandy, there are rules that need to be – apparently followed – when breastfeeding.
Breast Milk Through the Years
Motherhood has come a long way since the suffrage movement, and some might even argue, the creation of the breast pump and baby formula. These inventions mobilized the role of a mother and transferred some of its tasks to outside the home.
As more women entered the workforce in the early 1900s, the notion of breastfeeding began to sway. Women began to seriously entertain and build the groundwork around the notion of independence and equal rights. The role of the classic housewife began to transform, and along with it the idea that a woman's responsibilities were interrelated with the home.
Time of The Day Lessens Volume of Nutrients
As the home front began to dwindle with women eagerly entering the working world and developing careers, the idea and approach of breastfeeding began to also wither. Companies developed lactation rooms into their design plans, pumps got fancier and smaller (cheaper too), and formulas were developed and constantly improved to cater to the needs of newborns. However, breastfeeding continued to be the preferred mode of feeding.
The many benefits and advantages of breastfeeding have been documented for years. From the nourishment that it provides both newborn and mom, to weight loss for moms wanting to get rid of the excess pregnancy weight. There aren't too many negative associated with breastfeeding. There is, however, something apparently linked to the time that breast milk is administered to newborns.
There isn't a how-to book on how to best feed the child. It is more of a mother's know best and should just know what's best mentality. However, studies are now showing that maybe there is more to just knowing when to feed a newborn.
According to a recent study entitled, "The possible role of human milk nucleotides as sleep inducers," conducted by the University of Extremadura via the Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology in the October 2009 issue, the components in breast milk does decline after a certain amount of time. This means that there's indeed a time clock to feeding time, and that maybe pumping doesn't provide the elixir potion-like qualities that previous research demonstrates. The lead author of the article, Cristina L. Sanchez of the Chrononutrition Laboratory at the university, states that there are "specific nutrients and ingredients in the milk that stimulate activity in the infant" while there are others that help them rest. This means that for the baby to receive the proper types of nutrients, the milk needs to be administered at same time that the milk is expressed.
Breast Vs. Bottle
Although this argument only adds more pressure to the breastfeeding moms, there are some that support the alternatives – such as bottle feeding.
First, it is good to remember that formula-feeding is not of lesser quality. On the contrary, formula ingredients have advanced throughout the years, thus allowing moms to have that peace of mind when feeding their child. Then there's also the advantage of being able to time the meals, versus having to feed with an on-demand schedule. Others can assist with the feeding as well, giving the mom ample time to bathe and relax (activities that often cease and disappear once the baby has arrived).
But as all mothers come to learn, there are always those nagging doubts and ideas, as government organizations – such as the WHO and American Medical Association (AMA) – and nonprofits continue to proclaim the idea that breast is best. Although to an extent it is, mothers should rest assure with the decision that best suits them and their family members. As long as the new mom is eating right and enjoying the time being a mom, then there is no use in crying over spilt milk.
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