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Breastfeeding Breakthroughs New 411 By Sandra McKinney
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sk a woman who has given birth and they will tell you that it is the most amazing thing our bodies can do. But, the wonder of what a woman’s body can do in motherhood doesn’t end there. New research is proving that being able to nourish that child with proper nutrients via breast milk is more than a wonderful feeling - it can be uniquely beneficial to both mother and child. Many mothers today are choosing to breastfeed, and there are many new reasons why they should (if they are able). Recent research is being released that shows breast milk gives a newborn unique and distinct microbes developed for that child. This design is a special language that is, incredibly, transmitted between mother and baby. Katie Hinde, also known as “The Milk Maven,” does a beautiful job of describing this process in her Ted Talk titled “What We Don’t Know About Mother’s Milk.”
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Evidence also suggests that a baby’s saliva, when mixed with breast milk, increases the growth of commensal bacteria while inhibiting pathogenic bacteria at the same time. This forms hydrogen peroxide, which keeps bacteria from growing, such as salmonella. Breastmilk also encourages the growth of a baby’s digestive system, which provides extra benefits for pre-term babies. Some hospitals are now even giving preemies and sick infants breast milk via intubation to increase their growth of commensal bacteria. Building a newborn’s immunity is important, and these discoveries are just the latest factors to help moms everywhere make informed decisions about what is in the best interest of their baby’s health. Babies deserve the best, and there is nothing more precious between mother and child than the time spent giving an infant everything they need. For many moms that may mean breastfeeding. But, it’s important for every mother, regardless of whether their child is formula fed, breastfed or a combination of the two, to monitor the health of their baby. If mothers, for example, do not produce enough milk or their milk is not nutritionally sound, formula could be a healthier option to ensure babies gain the proper amount of weight and develop properly.
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