Feeding Baby Nature and Nurture

Breast Milk Is Best

Usually a manufacturer won't announce that the competition's product is a better choice. But when the competition is breast milk, infant formula manufacturers concede--right on the label-that breast milk is best.

Human breast milk is the ideal nourishment for human babies. Its protein content is particularly suited to a baby's metabolism, and the fat content is more easily absorbed and digested than the fats in cow's milk.

Breast milk also may protect the infant against certain diseases, infections and allergies. A mother's milk contains cells from her immune system and antibodies against diseases to which she has been exposed. Antibodies she develops after the baby is born are also passed to the baby through the breast milk.

For example, if Mom catches the flu, she develops antibodies to that strain of flu virus. Richard Schanler, M.D., associate professor of pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, explains, "The baby will get some protection. [The baby] might not get the flu at all, or the case may be milder... than if he or she wasn't breast-fed to begin with."

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However, risks of breast milk may outweigh advantages if a nursing mother takes certain medications or abuses drugs. The quality and quantity of the mother's diet may affect the quality and quantity of breast milk. (See "Good Nutrition for Breast-Feeding Mothers" in the December 1986-January 1987 FDA Consumer.)

Breast-Feeding Success

"Learn about breast-feeding before the baby is born," says Julie Stock of the La Leche League, an international breast-feeding support and educational organization. "If you know a lot beforehand, you start to build a sense of confidence. Many attempts at breast-feeding fail because of wrong information."

Once the baby is born, breast-feeding as soon as possible after delivery and often is the first of three essential keys for success, says Stock.

The second key is no artificial nipples--that includes pacifiers as well as bottles of water or formula--during the first few weeks. Stock explains that some babies can become very confused by the different feel and the different way of sucking needed with a bottle or pacifier, and they may not be able to switch back to the breast.

Finally, it is important to make sure that the baby "latches on" to the mother's nipple correctly. "If [a mother] has those three things going for her, in general that will eliminate about 90 percent of the common problems that mothers have," says Stock.

The La Leche League has local chapter meetings throughout the country where expectant and new mothers can learn about breast-feeding, nutrition, and other aspects of child care. For the number of your local chapter, call the La Leche League at 1-708-455-7730 or write to La Leche League International, 9616 Minneapolis Ave., P.O. Box 1209, Franklin Park, Ill. 6013 1-8209.

KidSource Editor's Note: Contact Info Update (9/98)
1400 N. Meacham Rd.
Schaumburg, IL 60173-4048
phone: (847) 519-7730
website: http://www.lalecheleague.org

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