What Every Mama Should Know About Breast Milk

Earlier this week, Jill shared with us The Importance of Breastfeeding.  Today, she gives us a rather in-depth look at the manifold health benefits of Mother’s Milk.  Even after breastfeeding four babies, I was amazed by the wealth of information Jill shares in this article… God’s design is truly amazing!  ~Kristy

image courtesy- Nursing Cover from The Modest Mom

From Jill:

A few breastmilk facts:

*Protects against infection

*Protects against inflammation

*Babies are 26 times less likely to develop diabetes

*Babies are 21% less likely to develop childhood leukemia

*Less likely for eczema

*Less likely for obesity

Here is a comparison of breast milk and formula taken from Circle of Moms.

BREASTMILK FATS

Fats Rich in brain-building omega 3′s, namely DHA and AA.

Automatically adjusts to infant’s needs; levels decline as baby gets older

Rich in cholesterol

Nearly completely absorbed

Contains fat-digesting enzyme, lipase

FORMULA FATS

No DHA

Doesn’t change for baby’s needs

No Cholesterol

Not completely absorbed

No lipase

Fat is the most important nutrient in breast milk; absence of  cholesterol  and DHA, vital nutrients for growing brains and bodies, may  predispose  child to adult heart and central nervous system diseases.  Leftover  unabsorbed fat accounts for unpleasant stools in formula-fed  babies.

BREASTMILK PROTEIN

Protein  Soft, easily-digestible whey

More completely absorbed

Lactoferrin for intestinal health

Lysozyme, an antimicrobial

Rich in brain and body-building protein components

Rich in growth factors

Contains sleep-inducing proteins

FORMULA PROTEIN

Harder to digest casein curds

Less completely absorbed, more waste, harder on kidneys

None or trace lactoferrin

No lysozyme

Deficient or lower in some proteins

Deficient in growth factors

image courtesy

BREASTMILK CARBOHYDRATES

Carbohydrates Rich in lactose

Rich in oligosaccharides that promote intestinal health

FORMULA CARBOHYDRATES

Some formulas contain no lactose.

Deficient in oligosaccaharides

Lactose is considered an important carbohydrate for brain development.  Studies show the level of lactose in the milk of a species correlates  with the size of the brain of that species.

BREASTMILK IMMUNE BOOSTERS

Immune Boosters Rich in living white blood cells, millions per feeding

Rich in immunoglobulins

When mother is exposed to a germ, she makes antibodies to that germ and gives these antibodies to her infant via her milk.

FORMULA IMMUNE BOOSTERS

No live white blood cells.

“Dead” food has less immunological benefit.

Few immunoglubulins and mostly the wrong kind.

BREASTMILK VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Vitamins and minerals Better absorbed, especially iron, zinc, and calcium.

Iron is 50-75% absorbed

Contains more selenium (an antioxidant) than formula

FORMULA VITAMINS AND MINERALS

Less absorbed

Iron 5-10 percent absorbed

Vitamins and minerals in breast milk enjoy a higher bioavailability; a  greater  percentage is absorbed. To compensate, more is added to formula,  which  makes it harder to digest.

image courtesy

BREASTMILK ENZYMES AND HORMONES

Enzymes and Hormones Rich in digestive enzymes, such as lipase and amylase.

Rich in many hormones: thyroid, prolactin, oxytocin, and over fifteen others.

Digestive enzymes promote intestinal health. Hormones contribute to the overall biochemical balance and well-being of baby.

FORMULA ENZYMES AND HORMONES

Processing kills digestive enzymes

Processing kills hormones

BREASTMILK COST

Cost $600 a year, extra food for mother

FORMULA COST

Around  $1,200 per year for formula; up to $2,500 a year for hypoallergenic formulas; plus cost of bottles, etc. 

Breastfeeding families save $600  to $2,000 a year, and often much  more in medical bills since baby tends to stay healthier.

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If you have a problem with producing enough milk or having milk  of  good quality, you CAN have success! 

Some herbs that will  increase your milk supply:

blessed thistle, fenugreek, fennel,  nettle, red raspberry, alfalfa. 

You can combine some or all of these herbs and drink 3-8 cups of tea a day, or take it in capsule form.  What I really enjoy is making a gallon of tea that I keep in the fridge and  drink all day long (my combination was red raspberry leaf, fennel seed,  nettle leaf, fenugreek seed, dandelion leaf, blessed thistle).

Mama’s Milk Tea from Bulk Herb Store contains a powerful combination of organic herbs for stimulating and enriching milk production!

Don’t let the fact that your mother, grandmother and great-grandmother  didn’t have success breastfeeding, for one reason or another, stop you from having success yourself.  Adding herbs to your diet will help you  produce milk of great quality and quantity.  Ask a friend or family member that has had  breastfeeding success be your mentor, and know that you can do it!

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{Kristy adds}  I have breastfed four children, for an average of 18 months each (our youngest is still not completely weaned).  Due to a few minor health “issues”, as well as digestive issues with our children, I found it necessary to supplement three of our babies, at least temporarily, while I continued to nurse.  I supplemented our first baby with formula and regretted it.

I highly recommend raw goat’s milk as an infant supplement (along with breast feeding).

For mothers who struggle with low milk supply- I feel your pain!  I relied heavily on Mama’s Milk Tea, from Bulk Herb Store, and  Maxi Milk, a wonderful herbal tincture from Mountain Meadow Herbs.  Herbs truly made a world of difference in my milk supply!

Jill  is a  Christian and has been married to her dear husband for 11 years.   She’s a homeschool mom of 4 and is thankful for the grace and mercy God   bestows on her moment by moment of her daily life.  One of her passions  is reading and researching about health and home remedies, and sharing  with others the knowledge she gains.  You can find her blogging at Jill’s Home Remedies.

 

 

This post is linked at Woman Living Well, Encouraging One Another, The Better Mom, Titus 2sDays, Raising Homemakers.