01. Is formula more nutritious than breast milk?
The survey shows that the exclusive breastfeeding rate of infants in the mainland at six months is only 29.2%, which is still far from the goal of reaching 50% exclusive breastfeeding rate by 2020 set by the China Child Development Program (2011-2020) and the National Nutrition Plan (2017-2030), and is far below the world average of 43%.
Distribution of infant feeding patterns within six months
The results of a survey on breastfeeding are lamentable: more than half of mothers believe that infant formula is more nutritious than breast milk, because formula often contains nutrients such as vitamin D and DHA.
The author believes that the reasons for this result are insufficient doctor education, lack of mother awareness, and misleading propaganda of milk powder promoters. So today we have to correct everyone's concept!
02. Species specificity of human milk
Mammalian milk is species-specific, and the milk of each mammal is suitable for the growth and development needs of the species's cubs. Walruses that live in cold areas, breastfeed once every four days, contain a lot of fat in their milk, helping baby walruses resist the cold. Calves need rapid development of bones and muscles to adapt to survival, so milk is high in protein.
As can be seen from the above table, the fat and protein content of human milk is lower than that of other species, and the lactose content is higher than that of other species. High levels of lactose are associated with humans having the highest levels of cognition. The differences in the composition of milk are matched to the needs of the species.
Human babies, unlike other mammalian pups, develop their brains faster than other systems of the body. The brain volume of human babies is about 1/3 of that of adults at birth, rapidly increasing to half of adult brain volume in the first 90 days of life. By the age of two, it can reach 80% to 90% of the adult brain volume, and the structures of the brain such as gray matter, white matter, lateral ventricles, and cerebellum are extremely active in the first two years. It can be seen that human brain development in infancy is very rapid and important.
More than a thousand ingredients have been identified in human milk, which not only provide essential nutrients to babies, but also have considerable biological activity.
There is a wealth of evidence that nutrients in breast milk are appropriate for the physiological development and growth needs of infants in terms of quantity, proportion and biologically active forms, and they are extremely important in maintaining the health of newborns. Therefore, human milk is a very unique, species-specific, very complex composition of the nutrient liquid, many ingredients have multiple roles, in the right proportion of each other to achieve the most effective digestion and absorption, the best bioavailability, is the most perfect source of nutrition for human infants.
03, infant formula is a helpless choice when you cannot breastfeed exclusively
No infant formula can match breast milk and can only be used as a helpless choice after breastfeeding failure, or as a supplement to breast milk when breast milk is insufficient.
In the case of normal breastfeeding, the composition of milk changes significantly in the early postpartum period, and then relatively stable, but in different periods, in order to meet the needs of the growth and development of the baby at various stages, the composition of the milk will change slightly in a relatively narrow range, breastfeeding is a process of interaction between mother and baby, and the infant state also plays an important role in determining the milk composition, such as the protein in breast milk will be adjusted according to the infant growth pattern and growth needs to meet the various needs of infants and young children. That is to say, the composition of breast milk is always in a relatively dynamic change.
Milk, soy and other products are usually processed into infant formula (milk powder), and the nutrient content is adjusted with reference to the composition of breast milk, and a variety of micronutrients (such as minerals and vitamins) are added. However, compared with breast milk, the difference in the quality of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in breast milk substitutes cannot be changed, the components in formula milk powder are relatively fixed, and the natural anti-infection factors and bioactive factors present in breast milk are also lacking. There may also be safety issues in the production of infant formula.
Breast milk substitutes can be used when the mother is unable to breastfeed her baby due to illness, etc.; after 6 months of age, the child can drink boiled whole milk, but animal milk is never as good as breast milk.
04, how to ensure the quality and quantity of breast milk
Studies have shown that the nutritional status of lactating mothers is the basis of lactation, and malnutrition is one of the important factors causing postpartum lactation deficiency. Both the 2013 Edition of the Reference Dietary Nutrient Intake for Chinese Residents and the 2016 Edition of the Dietary Guidelines for Lactating Women emphasize that nursing mothers should increase their protein intake to ensure the quality of milk.
√ Drink plenty of water or light soup to supplement the nursing mother's special compound nutrients.
√ Maintain a good night's sleep and mood.
√ There is no limit to breastfeeding.
√ Correct latching and breastfeeding posture.
√ Insist on breastfeeding at night.
√ Do not use formula or pacifiers lightly.
05. It is not suitable for breastfeeding
Breastfeeding or conventional breastfeeding is likely to be inappropriate and requires appropriate feeding methods such as formula feeding (consult a professional physician or dietitian for specific conditions, breastfeeding contraindications, and applicable feeding regimens):
a. Infant illness;
b. Illness of the mother;
c. Mothers ingest drugs and chemicals for various reasons;
d. After professional guidance and efforts, milk production is still insufficient.
Warm tips: When breastfeeding is not possible or breastfeeding is insufficient, you should choose professional infant formula purchased through formal channels, and it is not appropriate to directly feed infants within 6 months of age with ordinary liquid milk, adult milk powder, protein powder, soy milk powder, etc.