Why breast milk?

The Importance of Breastfeeding: More Than Just Nutrition

Breastfeeding has long been recognized as the best option for infant nutrition, but recent research and insights show that its significance goes far beyond mere nourishment. Breastfeeding not only fosters a close bond between mother and child but also plays a crucial role in global public health.

According to an article by Martine Rostadmo, a physician and senior advisor at the Norwegian Directorate of Health, over 800,000 child deaths could be prevented each year if more mothers in low-income countries breastfed instead of using formula. This is because breast milk provides unique protection against illnesses such as diarrhea, respiratory infections, and ear infections, which often affect young children in these regions. If 90% of mothers worldwide breastfed, 823,000 children’s lives could be saved annually.

A Complex Source of Nutrition

Breast milk is more than just food; it is a complex biological substance that adapts to the baby’s needs. Rostadmo emphasizes that breast milk influences gene expression in ways previously unknown. It contains sugars that stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria, strengthening the infant’s immune system and overall health. Additionally, the mother’s gut bacteria are transferred to the baby through the milk, helping to develop the infant’s microbiome.

Mother breastfeeding her baby.

What if the mother cannot breastfeed?

Although breastfeeding is the best option, there are situations where mothers cannot or choose not to breastfeed due to medical reasons, milk supply issues, or personal circumstances. In such cases, donor milk should be considered as a safe and nutritious alternative to formula.

Donor milk provides many of the same health benefits as breast milk, including protection against infections and support for a healthy microbiome. Many countries have established milk banks where mothers who cannot breastfeed can access either raw donor milk or pasteurized breast milk from healthy donors. This donor milk undergoes strict quality control to ensure it is safe and provides the necessary nutrients for the baby.

Research shows that premature infants who receive donor milk instead of formula have a lower risk of developing necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a serious intestinal condition. This highlights the importance of prioritizing donor milk over formula when breastfeeding is not possible.

Environment and Sustainability

In addition to the health benefits, breastfeeding is also a more sustainable choice. The production of infant formula requires significant resources, including large amounts of water and energy. According to Rostadmo, it takes 4,000 liters of water to produce one kilogram of formula, and the packaging and energy needed to prepare it further contribute to environmental impact.

Donor milk, on the other hand, is a natural and sustainable resource that can be distributed locally and requires minimal resources compared to artificial alternatives.

Breastfeeding as a Public Health Measure

Breastfeeding should not be seen merely as a personal choice, but as a public health measure. For many years, the World Health Organization has warned against the aggressive marketing of infant formula in low-income countries, where mothers often lack access to clean water or a reliable electricity supply to safely prepare formula. In extreme cases, such as during the civil war in Yemen, children have suffered from malnutrition because mothers relied on formula but could not access it during crises.

Given the enormous health benefits breastfeeding provides for both mother and child, as well as its environmental advantages, it is clear that more must be done to promote and support breastfeeding. For those who cannot breastfeed, donor milk should be the preferred alternative, ensuring optimal health while minimizing environmental impact.

Sources:
Rostadmo, M. (2018, 28th of May). Amming som globalt folkehelsetiltak. Tidsskrift for Den norske legeforening. Taken from https://tidsskriftet.no/2018/05/fra-redaktoren/amming-som-globalt-folkehelsetiltak

Verdens helseorganisasjon (WHO), UNICEF. Breastfeeding and global health.