DR JOANNA
Breast milk contains antibodies from the mum that help the baby to foster a good strong immune system ; as a result , breast-fed babies have fewer infections . The microflora that develops in a breast-fed baby is also different to one who has been fed on formula . This impacts on immunity and gut health in infancy and beyond . While the composition of formula is standardised , at least within each stage-specific formulation , breast milk changes within each feed and over time , tailoring the nutrition to the individual baby . Isn ’ t that quite extraordinary ?
One of the major composition differences between formula and breast milk has just been illuminated in research . Formula-fed babies have a higher risk of overweight and obesity . The reason for this has been pin-pointed to the higher protein content of formula .
Protein is usually portrayed as the darling nutrient for weight control , with adults guzzling protein shakes by the bucketload as they leave the gym in an effort to lose weight . But in babies who are developing and growing at a rapid rate , too much protein actually makes them fatter .
Independent intervention studies from Europe , Chile and the USA have all seen the same results ; that babies fed the usual higher protein formulas are fatter at 12 months and are still fatter by the time they are six years old , compared to those who are breast-fed . This greatly increases their risk of being overweight later in life . However , babies fed a specially produced low protein formula ( much closer to the protein levels in breast milk ) were closer to the breast-fed babies in terms of body fatness .
Unfortunately , in Australia , legislation has not caught up with this research and lower protein formulas are not allowed . Hopefully we will see this change . So we know that there are long term benefits to the child from breastfeeding , but there are also health benefits to the mother . Breastfeeding reduces the risk of breast and ovarian cancer , type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis later in life .
So why is it all so controversial ?
The reality is that for many women breastfeeding is a difficult and unpleasant journey , that ultimately causes her to give up . I breast-fed my own two boys and was not one of those women who absolutely loved it . I can attest to many of those difficulties – mastitis , waking up in the middle of the night to a sleeping baby but swollen painful breasts , the terribly practical but very inelegant experience of using an electric breast pump – these are not pleasant memories ! However , I did get through them because I had advice and support .
And this is essentially what the Born to Breastfeed book is all about . Giving women that help , support and badly needed advice to allow them to continue to breastfeed because the reality is that most mums can . So let ’ s lift the lid on this conversation and allow the facts to be told . Allow women to receive the right information , good advice from the experts in the area and the support from their families , but also the public at large from changing attitudes , and avoid making this about ‘ us and them ’. Mums and their babies can only benefit as a result .
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OH ! MAGAZINE ( SEPTEMBER 2016 ) 11