We already know how breast milk provides for the baby’s nutritional needs, but we are only just beginning to understand that it probably performs many other functions.

Journalist Catherine Madden sums up Dr. Cregan’s theory on the “developmental guidance” that he believes breast milk provides:

He says that, in essence, a new mother’s mammary glands take over from the placenta to provide the development guidance to ensure a baby’s genetic destiny is fulfilled.

Dr. Cregan explains:

The point is that many mothers see milks as identical – formula milk and breast milk look the same so they must be the same. But we know now that they are quite different and a lot of the effects of breast milk versus formula don’t become apparent for decades. Formula companies have focused on matching breast milk’s nutritional qualities but formula can never provide the developmental guidance.

In the coming years scientists will attempt to harvest the stem cells from breast milk for research, thereby avoiding the ethical dilemma of harvesting stem cells from human embryos. Then it will be seen whether the stem cells in breast milk can be “reprogrammed” to form different types of human tissue.

Thanks so much to Kelley for the tip on this amazing story!

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

In anticipation of this crazy week, I have lined up some fantastic guest bloggers. First up is Kendra, a nurse who shares her knowledge about diabetes and the breastfeeding mother. And in addition to the guest posts, stay tuned later in the week for my entry in the “This I Believe” essay collection for this month’s Carnival of Breastfeeding!

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What are they you ask? Let me give you a few…

1. Babies that are breastfed have a reduced risk for developing diabetes later on in life.

2. Prolonging the introduction of cow’s milk in genetically at risk babies may also give them a “leg up.”

3. Moms who are insulin dependent will most likely use less insulin while breastfeeding and it is absolutely compatible and safe in conjunction with breast milk. The insulin molecule is very large and does not pass through to the breast milk.

Now, there are some considerations that go along with breastfeeding while diabetic. For one, you are at risk for developing skin infections and mastitis. Newborn jaundice is also more common in breastfed babies, but that is easily treated. And I absolutely advise any diabetic mother to coordinate her breastfeeding efforts with her OB/Gyn, PCP and endocrinologist. Medications, hormone levels and blood sugars need to be closely monitored.

But by all means… go ahead and put that baby to breast. Living with a chronic disease like diabetes should not inhibit you from enjoying all that comes with “mommyhood”!

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Public health leaders say the weight of the scientific evidence for breast-feeding has grown so overwhelming that it is appropriate to recast their message to make clear that it is risky not to breast-feed.

Breast-Feed or Else By Roni Rabin
The New York Times, June 13, 2006

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

Post from: Breastfeeding 1-2-3

“With Father’s Day approaching, I pondered how breastfeeding has influenced my life, and I keep coming back to so many instances where the general perceptions diverge from reality. Here are a few of my favorites.

#1 F*rmula (word changed to protect innocent blogs from ads by the evil empire ): I was breastfed until 2 ½, and my younger brother until 5. I even remember my aunt tandem nursing my then 2-year-old brother with his same age cousin one time when my parents were away on a trip. I knew about La Leche League by the time I was 5. Despite all that great modeling, flash forward to the birth of our first daughter. My wife and I agreed that she would breastfeed, and I fully expected that this meant breastfeeding no more than a few months and then starting f*rmula until our baby could eat baby food from a jar. After all, that’s why it was called baby f*rmula and baby food.

Looking back, I cringe at the thought! How could I be so blind? The human race got along just fine for thousands of years without f*rmula or baby food jars, and so did our kids! I chalk up my mental lapse to years of brainwashing media created in typical Hollywood fashion by people who either don’t have kids or shouldn’t.

#2 Convenience: For some reason, I thought that having kids was all about digestive issues and being tethered to home like a ball and chain. I secretly dreaded the thought of giving up my independence. Woohoo, turns out that was just my friends who were f*rmula-feeding with all the required paraphernalia including shoulder-shaped towels for the constant spit-up, the 80 lb pack of supplies, and an unwillingness to leave home with kids in tow.

Breastfeeding = no indigestion, highly portable food supply, instant soothing, and no crying in public places. Our kids get to enjoy many of the same things we do thanks in no small part to breastfeeding.

#3 Outrage: I had no idea we lived in such a puritanical society. How is it possible that some people believe that a child should be denied nourishment and comfort just because they’re afraid God might frown on them catching a glimpse of a lactating mammary! For pete’s sake people, Jesus and all the prophets were nursed as kids. Get over it.

#4 Amazement: Breastfeeding and attachment parenting have formed such a strong bond for my wife, my daughters and myself. It never ceases to amaze me. Forging such a bond is one of the few truly human endeavors, and I’m so glad to have discovered it. Sharing this love makes me proud to be a father this Father’s Day.”

(He’s an excellent father, by the way! And an excellent husband for taking the time to contribute his thoughts on breastfeeding!)

Keep checking for more carnival contributions from the following bloggers as they are added throughout the day:

BreastfeedingMums: My Hubby, My Best Breastfeeding Buddy
Mama Knows Breast: My Husband, My Co-Author
Motherwear Breastfeeding Blog: Proud to Be the Father of a Breastfed Baby
The Lactivist: The Importance of Seconds

And our guest bloggers:

Crunchy Domestic Goddess: My Hubby, the Lactivist
Down with the Kids: Mother’s Milk: A Dad’s Perspective
Hepatitis_epi: A Father’s Support
Nursing Your Kids: Partnership

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As long as you can – breastfeed! And get that protection into your child.

Dr. David Rose, Deputy Director, Maternal and Primary Care Administration, DC Department of Health. “Asthma and Allergies in Children” The Kojo Nnamdi Show, WAMU American University Radio, April 5, 2007.

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