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ESSAY 45
THE "BREAST FEEDING IS YUCKY" MYTH
Having taught Marriage and the Home in two colleges
required considerable research. I was convinced back then and
am more convinced today that breast feeding is the right
thing to do. There are relatively few women who cannot breast
feed. Even ADOPTIVE mothers can breastfeed.
First, let's look at some common myths of breast
feeding:
1. Not enough milk.
2. Milk not rich enough.
3. Milk supply dries up in one day.
4. Milk does not agree with the baby.
5. Baby suddenly decided he wanted a bottle
instead.
6. Breasts too small.
7. "Nervous Types" of mothers cannot nurse.
8. Nursing makes breasts look bad.
9. Breast feeding will tie mothers down.
10. Breast feeding is a reliable form of birth
control.
11. Breast feeding ruins your sex life.
12. Breast feeding will leave out the father.
(Burck, pp. 23-24; Huggins, p. 5)
13. Those who have had breast surgery cannot
nurse.
14. Mothers cannot nurse adopted babies.
15. Diseased mothers cannot nurse.
16. Mothers who have stopped nursing and have
"dried-up" cannot restart.
Now, let us examine the facts.
Biological Reasons to Breast Feed
Two female hormones, estradiol and progesterone, are
produced in large amounts during puberty, causing the breasts
to develop. Pregnancy--not breast feeding--increases the
production of these hormones, which produces breast enlarge-
ment. Milk secretion is controlled by a third hormone, pro-
lactin, which is produced by the pituitary gland during late
pregnancy.
About 15-25 milk-producing lobes are located in each
breast. Milk is held here, until the infant sucks the breast.
Nerve impulses from the nipple travel through the spinal cord
to the hypothalamus, which produces the hormone oxytocin.
Oxytocin causes the lobes to contract, forcing milk into
ducts which can be suckled. This whole process of milk
"letdown" takes about 30 seconds. (Greenhill).
"Except in unusual circumstances, it is exceedingly
advisable to breast-feed." (Atwood). Some biological reasons
to breast feed are:
1. Colostrum, the first "Liquid Gold" to come
from the mother's breast should be given the baby
within 6-12 hours to relieve delivery stress. It
is literally "alive," containing living white cells
that attack harmful bacteria in the infant. It also
contains antibodies that attack disease. It is high
in protein and fat, low in sugar and digests
easily. It also coats and protects the infant's
intestine. In addition, it stimulates the first
bowel govement, removing bilirubin, which can cause
jaundice if unremoved.
2. Later, milk arrives. This milk changes in
composition as the infant nurses. At first, it has
less fat, then fat content increases. This process
insures that the infant gets the nutrition he
needs. Then the fat satisfies the baby's appetite.
Milk also has antibodies. It is easy to digest. It
does not constipate, and does not cause weight
gain. It contains cholesterol, which the baby needs
at this time. Cholesterol is important for myelin--
nerve covering. (Adults who have been breast fed
do not have the cholesterol problem that bottle-fed
babies have. It is also easier for adults who have
been breast-fed to stop smoking). Human milk con-
tains lactalbumin, a highly-digestible whey pro-
tein. (Formulas contain casein, which is harder to
digest). It contains more of the amino acids
cysteine and taurine, which are necessary in the
development of the nervous system, brain, and
visual system. It contains more nucleotides, which
help the body to make proteins. It also contains
anti-allergens. It contains all the vitamins and
minerals needed, if the mother has a proper diet.
Generally, mothers will produce all the milk that
is demanded regardless of the size of her breasts.
If there are problems, the mother should con-
sult her physician. Women who have never been
pregnant can nurse adopted babies. Relactation is
possible, even if the mother has been medically
"dried-up." Nursing can actually reduce the need
for insulin--however this must be carefully moni-
tored. (Higgins, pp. 64-65).
In 1979, the American Academy of Pediatrics
and the Canadian Pediatric Society issued the
following statement: "We believe human milk is
nutritionally superior to formula." (Burck, p. 25).
3. Those babies on formulas experience a
greater risk for illness and hospitalization. They
experience more of the following diseases:
diarrhea, respiratory and ear infection, colic,
constipation, allergies, learning disorders, tooth
decay malocclusion (improper alignment of upper
and lower teeth), and distortion of the facial
muscles. In addition, there is general overfeeding,
which may carry over into childhood obesity.
Formulas also produce a more foul smelling bowel
movement and "spit-up," tend to stain clothing and
it has an unpleasant smell before ingested.
(Huggins, pp. 2-6).
4. Mothers who breast feed also profit. They
burn 500 calories per day, 300 of which come from
fat gained during pregnancy. (Burck, p. 21).
Nursing stimulates hormones that cause the
uterus to contract and remain firm after delivery.
The mother may produce hormones that promote a
physiologic bonding between mother and child.
(Higgins, p. 3).
In addition, it is less expensive, more con-
venient and easy to do after learning how.
Psychological Reasons to Breast Feed
An important argument for breast feeding is for the psy-
chological need of the child. A nursing infant is held
close to the mother and she has time to show love by her
actions and voice. It is also emotionally fulfilling and
pleasurable for the mother.
A study done by Dr. Rene Spitz in a South American
foundling home demonstrates the need for affection in devel-
oping infants. Ninety-seven babies ranging from three months
to three years were given adequate food, clothing and medical
care. However, due to lack of personnel, the nurses could
not give the babies the affection they needed. Within three
months, symptoms began to develop. Within five months, "Most
of the babies became shrunken beyond recognition." In their
first year of life, twenty-seven children died; seven more in
their second year. Twenty-one who remained in the institution
were classified as "hopeless neurotics or worse." (Blanton,
pp. 39-40. Psychiatrist Smiley Blanton was the famous
psychiatrist who teamed-up with the late Norman Vincent
Peale).
A breast-fed child is held more and shown more affec-
tion, therefore he feels more secure, loved and wanted.
Both our children were breast-fed. Both are well-
adjusted and now have their own families. They also breast-
fed their children, who are in turn developing well.
Logical Reasons to Breast Feed
Given all the scientific data, it is rational to breast
feed. (Burck, p.21).
Natural law says that it is logical to give our children
the best start in life and illogical to do anything less.
There is no excuse for ignorance in our enlightened
scientific age. To ignore truth that will help our most
prized assets--our children--is morally illogical and patho-
logical.
Spiritual Reasons to Breast Feed
God designed human beings to reproduce themselves. The
human reproduction system is amazing in its engineering. The
breast is part of the reproductive system. God created the
female breast primarily to feed babies and aid in their
psychological development. Let us not be so arrogant as to
say by our actions, "I'm smarter than God!"
What do the scriptures say about children? Here are a
few key scriptures:
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD:
and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
As arrows are in the hand of a mighty
man; so are children of the youth. Happy
is the man that hath his quiver full of
them: they shall not be ashamed, but they
shall speak with the enemies in the gate.
(Psalm 127:3-5).
And they brought young children to him,
that he should touch them: and his dis-
ciples rebuked those that brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, he was much dis-
pleased, and said unto them, Suffer the
little children to come unto me, and for-
bid them not: for of such is the kingdom
of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever
shall not receive the kingdom of God as
a little child, he shall not enter there-
in. And he took them up in his arms, put
his hands upon them, and blessed them.
(Mark 10:13-16).
I will therefore that the younger women
marry, bear children, guide the house,
give none occasion to the adversary to
speak reproachfully. (1 Timothy 5:14).
The aged women likewise, that they be in
behaviour as becometh holiness, not false
accusers, not given to much wine,
teachers of good things; That they may
teach the young women to be sober, to
love their husbands, to love their child-
ren, (Titus 2:3-4).
If a baby has received love from its parents, then it
will later be able to see God as a loving Heavenly Father
and love him.
Resources
THE KING JAMES VERSION OF THE HOLY BIBLE.
Blanton, Smiley. LOVE OR PERISH. New York: Simon and
Schuster, 1956.
Burck, Frances Wells. BABYSENSE. New York: St. Martin's
Press, 1991.
ENCYCLOPEDIA AMERICANA, Library ed.(1990), S.v. "Breast," by
J. P. Greenhill, MD.
Huggins, Kathleen, RN, MS. THE NURSING MOTHER'S COMPANION.
Boston: The Harvard Common Press, 1986.
Subak-Sharpe, Genell J, gen. ed. THE COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS COMPLETE HOME MEDICAL GUIDE. New
York: Crown Publishers, Inc., 1989. S.v. "Infancy and
the Early Years." by Stephen J. Atwood, MD.
END
