Mother’s milk from a pediatrician’s perspective – truths and myths

Research shows that women are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of breastfeeding and that it is the best way to feed babies. However, young mothers often feel lost in the maze of information and good advice on this topic. Know which claims about breastfeeding and breast milk are true and which are just misrepresented myths.

Mother’s milk helps to prevent future diseases of the baby – TRUE

Feminine food is a treasury of all the nutritional values ​​needed by the developing organism of an infant. The ingredients found in breast milk protect the baby and reduce the risk of many diseases in adulthood, incl. obesity or diabetes.

When only breastfeeding, the infant should be refined – FALSE

The main ingredient of mum’s milk is water – it accounts for as much as 88 percent. female food. This is why babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first six months of life do not need to be refilled. Even on hot days, mum’s milk provides full hydration and nourishment, because the water and other nutrients it contains comprehensively support the functioning of the young organism. Older children – those who already have an extended diet – are best quenched with water.

Breast milk contains all the key nutrients for an infant – FALSE

Feminine food is an unrivaled role model in infant nutrition – it contains almost everything a young body needs to grow harmoniously. Vitamins D and K are an exception. Mother’s milk contains insufficient amounts of them, therefore, breastfed infants are recommended to receive additional supplementation (vitamin K is given after birth, and vitamin D in a 0-6 month old child should be given a dose of 400 international units of the vitamin. D, and between 6 and 12 months of age – 400-600 IU). Vitamin doses should always be agreed with the pediatrician in advance.

Feminine milk is an inspiration for manufacturers of formula milk – TRUE

Mother’s milk is a unique complex composition of ingredients that has an exceptionally beneficial effect on the baby’s body. If, for justified reasons, mother cannot breastfeed, to support the proper development of the baby, she should choose the next milk. This decision to change the infant’s nutrition should be consulted with the pediatrician in advance. After talking to a doctor, and before buying formula milk, mom should pay special attention to the composition of ingredients in such a product. The fact that a given formula has a composition adjusted to the child’s needs is not confirmed by one ingredient, but by the entire composition.

Breastfeeding with the eye of a pediatrician

Bow. Julita Chądzyńska, a pediatrician, an expert at BebiProgram.pl, explains:

– It is often said that mum’s milk is a comprehensive composition of ingredients tailored to the needs of a child. This statement is 100 percent. true and right. As a child grows, his needs change, and each woman’s milk changes its composition depending on the age of the child. Until the 6th day of life of the infant, the so-called «Colostrum» – milk with lower calories, lower in lipids and lactose compared to mature milk, but rich in leukocytes, IgA immunoglobulin and protein. Gradually, in the following days after delivery, an increase in caloric content, lipid and lactose content is observed, with a simultaneous decrease in the concentration of proteins and immunoglobulins.

A woman’s body is phenomenally prepared to meet specific nutritional needs, including premature babies. The food secreted in preterm labor contains long-lasting, high concentrations of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, which condition the proper development of the central nervous system and the organ of vision. Preterm milk also has more calories, protein, growth factors, IgA, lactoferrin, and many important macro- and micronutrients.

Interestingly, the composition of breast milk is also determined by the sex of the child. It has been observed that baby food contains more fat, but is less caloric than that produced for boys. The hormonal composition of milk is also different.

This may interest you:

1. The seven most common health problems associated with breastfeeding
2. What preventive examinations should a young mother perform?
3. How can I cope with a food load?