Breastfeeding has enormous benefits for the mom and the baby. But it is challenging specially for new moms because of the lack of information about the importance and the benefits. Knowing the benefits will help moms to remain calm while learning new skills. The most common difficulties during breastfeeding are poor attachment, sore or cracked nipples, mastitis or delay with milk let down. Moms ask themselves ‘’is my baby eating enough’’ or ‘’how often they should feed’’ these are some of the most common questions moms have during the first months of a baby. Breastfeeding is an emotional process and is important to have good guidance and support during this time. Most of this difficulty could be resolved through correct advice and technique.
The body is perfectly designed to produce breast milk that will change to meet your baby needs. Breast milk is made of living cells. Your milk will change depending on the time of the day that you feed your baby, if your baby is sick and the age of your baby, all to suit their needs perfectly.Breast milk has three major changes. These are colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk.
The colostrum is the first breast milk that your body produces. This will last for around 7 days. This has a yellow color and is thick. This colostrum lines in the gut and slows the assimilation of nutrients helping immature organs to have the time to function correctly. It’s high in beta-carotene, helps to establish a healthy bowel flora, contains vitamin E, trace elements, amino acids, cysteine and taurine. All of these elements are important for your baby’s physical and mental development. This milk is also high in proteins to satisfy the baby hunger and the fast growth during the first days. Also contains antibodies to help passively immunize your baby. Prior to birth moms develop bifidus bacteria in her nipples (this is healthy bacteria) that you pass to your baby that help to colonize healthy bacteria in the baby’s gut.
The transitional milk will be around 7-14 days following colostrum. This is high in lactose and fats to help your baby gain weight. During this time the lactose levels in your baby’s gut are being established. That’s why it is recommended for moms to reduce the lactose intake in their diet to prevent the build up of lactose and prevent the colic like symptoms in your baby.
Mature milk will start around day 14 and will last until you stop breastfeeding. This milk has zinc, iron and iodine that help in a healthy development of the thymus gland and the brain. Mature milk also has specific antibodies that are changing constantly based on your baby’s need to help them fight colds, ailments and life threatening infections until your baby’s own individual immunity matures. We also found essential fatty acids that are vital for a proper brain, cell and eye function. Infants that are breastfeeding are less likely to experience celiac disease, juvenile diabetes, otitis media, childhood cancer, heart disease, SIDS, eczema, asthma, urinary tract infections, allergies and multiple sclerosis later in life. Most babies that are formula fed have excessive amounts of iron in the ingredients that are not easily assimilated. For that reason they
are 17 times more likely to suffer from gastrointestinal conditions like colic symptoms than breastfeeding babies.
We have already learned the general benefits of the ingredients of breast milk and how those have an impact on the development and function of your baby. But the act of breastfeeding is also important during this time. The act of sharing time and changing your baby from one breast to the other enhances the development of the brain. Particularly the pons and homo lateral function of the brain. Breastfeeding your baby you are also creating skin stimulation and maternal bonding and this enhances brain development and reduces cortisol (stress) levels. Studies have shown that breastfed babies are more intelligent, more coordinated, may walk earlier, less dental problems, more alert and more easily aroused than formula-fed babies. Breastfeeding babies are more frequently feeding therefore results in more frequent suckling. Suckling at the nipples stimulates a baby’s pleasure receptors in his mouth , encouraging a
calmer and happier baby.
If you want to know more about breastfeeding, call us or visit our office today. Stay tuned to learn the benefits of breastfeeding for the mother.
By: Dr. Valerie Nazario
Well Aligned Family Chiropractic 