Breastfeeding in These Modern Times

Breastfeeding was the best we could offer him. Some might say the act was an impossible standard to achieve; for others, a sacrifice, that placed an undue burden on mothers.  For us, it would be the signal that would spell the difference between life and health for our infant's very early beginnings. The year was 1979. The medical staff understood and seemed to agree. There was no disputing what we had to do. At 3-pound, 2-ounce, our three-month-premature infant, dropping to two-pound-12-ounces, days later, began his life-and-death struggle in a world he'd entered too soon. Mother's milk, our gift of life, would follow within hours of his birth.

He'd arrived home one month ahead of his expected due date dispelling any notion that breastfeeding had not assisted in his remarkable recovery. Even the doctors were pleased that the effort of 'milk deliveries' had been undertaken. They had not expected this gift from parents of an 'absent' infant who'd lost out on the third trimester and a part of the second as he began life in an incubator. We were so grateful that the level 3 medical team would ensure his survival, somehow. We would do our part, however. So it began, in earnest: hot cloths upon the 'vessel' to facilitate the manual expression of the liquid gold that lay deep inside the 'well'. We were on a mission to save a life, after all. But it took the herculean effort of two parents plus the rental of two pieces of equipment, for two different purposes, many weeks apart, to accomplish what Mother Nature and others seemed to think came natural for all women lucky enough to give birth. Women's bodies were designed for the job, many said. Alas, I knew, but some of us were unable to conceive, carry or nurse, very easily or at all. Baby formula, my ally in this family crisis, spelled the difference between life and death when my on-site factory could no longer deliver 'the goods'.

Breastfeeding was a chore, from beginning to end, but we did what we had to do. A baby born severely premature in 1979 had poor chances of survival. (Male infants are more at risk for early birth and more fragile than females.) But breastfeeding was not just about nutrition, anymore. ... In "More Than Just a Superfood For Babies!", August, 2013, extensive scientific research had determined that mother's milk to be alive with an incredible arsenal of pathogenic fighters, lying in wait, within the cavity of the preterm baby. The disease known as necrotizing enterocolitis - NEC - killed 25% of all preterm babies (mostly males) who had it. ... Preterm mother's milk fought this terrible scourge with the help of its frontline soldiers known as oligosaccharides, (milk sugars found in mother's milk) by ridding the body of NEC. Some would say there is not enough scientific research on the advantages of breastfeeding. I would strongly disagree. It was early 1979, when scientific studies supported the superiority of 'fresh' preterm milk versus frozen.  The female body, having just given birth to a preterm infant, understood the crisis and was now producing an 'enriched formula' food to help the preemie survive. The body just knew! Wow! The pediatrician doubled our son's chances of survival, from 5 to 10%, two days after his birth, when he learned of our intention to deliver milk daily, fresh or frozen. He was delighted.

The female body is cleverly designed, with an 'onsite' factory, which begins milk production, soon after birth. Some might consider nursing an intrusive, sometimes 'painful' act of relinquishing power and losing control over one's body and life. Perhaps. But at some point, we must give priority to the rights of the fragile human life, hours old, born too soon and ill-equipped to breathe, feed and maintain core body temperature in a brave new 'world'. Breastfeeding was painful, an act of unselfish love, at times, but also a freeing experience, allowing for the instant gratification of both mom and baby with no bottles in attendance, 'custom-made baby formula' ready at all times, at the right temperature and in sufficient quantity. (The more the baby feeds, the more milk is produced. How cool is that?) I could not have done it alone, however! In the weeks after our son's early birth, scientific literature clearly concluded the superiority of 'preterm' milk to 'full term' milk simply because of higher levels of the' growth' chemical/hormone?, nitrogen, produced when baby arrives too soon. ... (My husband made early morning deliveries for weeks.) My incompetent cervix had been the main culprit in presenting us a baby too soon. In some instances, a pregnancy resulting from such a condition cannot be supported. It did not help that severe morning sickness was a non-stop 'morning' event. I was fearful of foods and their consequential 'side-effects'. Could a malnourished baby survive anywhere? I had a defective body that was making our lives a living nightmare. Then the unimaginable happened.  

Disputing the notion that feeding a baby the 'natural way' bestows no health advantages upon him, as many have said, is as ridiculous as saying commercial formula is not real food. I could not keep up with the demands of feeding our growing preemie. By five months of age, he'd begun formula feeding. (The 'natural way' had ceased to meet his nutritional demands.) We were now expecting our second child. Three boys would arrive within a span of four years. ... To debate the merits of breastfeeding is such a complete waste of a precious commodity called time. In this modern world, it seems plausible that everything we do is now being scrutinized. The online community can be a confusing place where nothing seems right and everything else might be wrong. We find an unending supply of real or imagined experts, stating the facts of the 'case' while we second guess our decisions, time and time again. ...

Taking care of our children requires a village. That is an indisputable fact. Within that real place called home, we derive the confidence, knowledge and resolve to do what is required to be the best parent we can be, one day at a time. Breastfeeding or formula? Stop the derision. What's best for baby is all that really matters!

The Doctors' Dietary Merry-Go-Round

While watching a PBS show recently, I stopped to hear him speak. I was leaving the room when his message of healthy dieting caught my attention. Who was this man and what new diet approach was now being touted, I wondered? I was curious. I thought I'd heard it all. In the past few years, the diet manifesto has included the vilification of wheat, the grain that has fed the earth for centuries yet is now responsible for fat production and storage, in our bodies. Grains harm the human brain, too and should not be consumed says another doctor, in his best selling book. Now doctor #3 was sounding the alarm on yet another new dietary twist: the eating of healthy fats for health and lower weight. For the Momsey, all three authors were saying the same thing. It was the food paradigm they were presenting that was different.

What we should be eating has not changed. The food pyramid, in its familiar isosceles triangle shape, has dominated the food guide in directing us to eat the required servings per day from all food groups: meats, fruits, vegetables, dairy and grains for health and longevity. Little has changed there. What has changed is our practice to deceive ourselves, perhaps! We need to use our common sense. We are foolish if we think eating a steady diet of processed foods, 'loaded' hot-cold beverages and other convenience foods is a part of a healthy diet. The placement and the allotted quantity of the food groups within the food pyramid exists to help us think and choose wisely. The food pyramid is a fluid gauge to our body's health needs. In one version of the food pyramid, at the very top, sweets were linked in the same, albeit smallest category, as fats and oils. Whose idea was that? Both 'food' groups are diametrically opposed, nutritionally. The published authors/doctors would not be amused here. Today's food pyramid 'model' better reflects the current updated bias towards healthier foods: leaner meats/nuts, varied fruits and vegetables, grains and dairy. (Desserts are not included.) Over the years, the food pyramid, of which there are many versions, seems to have changed to include foods created for our convenience. That is troubling. ... In one version, it is recommended we eat 11 servings of grains per day. A bit too much, TheMomsey would say. Not all starches are created equal. Let us not fool ourselves there.

Mother nature, in her infinite wisdom, has always been the secret to health and longevity, not the food companies or the fast food industry whose profit motives help drive their marketing machines. We think we can eat anything as long as the 'numbers' adds up. Calories count, in a fashion. If we are minimally processing our foods or eating them raw as in fruits and vegetables, the calorie counter - our bodies - will register the total and tell us when to stop. There is little to 'gum' up the 'machinery'(our bodies). If we are in charge of food choices, preparation and 'processing', then there is a certain element of integrity to what we are cooking in the kitchen and our bodies recognize that. We feel it deep inside as long as we eat 'clean' food. The calories assigned any food is calculated in its 'naked' state without the addition of sugar syrups, high salt, 'low calorie' sweeteners, trans fats, heavy duty processing and other additives whose inclusion into these foods we love to eat sometimes sets us up to fail. These food triggers lie in wait, deep within our bodies, to push us towards  ill health and unhealthy weight gain. The body is always struggling to adapt when we eat highly processed foods.

The guardians of our health are those featured on the food guide of the food pyramid. Any food not in its 'original' package is considered processed, to some degree. Some foods need processing or heating to access their nutrient content. Others do not. Minimally altered foods include steamed vegetables, grilled meats and fish. 'Off the tree' is great unless it's a branch that Mr. Wiggles has found while running and considers it a part of his diet.

The medical authors of 'Wheat Belly', 'Grain Brain' and now, 'Eat Fat/Get Thin' are luminaries in their own right. ... One is a respected cardiologist; another, a neurologist while the third is a doctor of functional medicine. These medical practitioners cannot be easily dismissed because they all make sense, virtually saying the same thing. We are filling up on the wrong foods and wonder why we have low energy, joint pain, weight gain and in many cases, disease. We have unleashed a trigger to eat more. We have strayed from the food guide/pyramid. Diets based upon sound nutritional practices are the same, regardless of the catchy phrase designed to get our attention, on a show or in a book. The mission statement is always the same. Only the path is different. 

World trade has given the global marketplace a cornucopia of fresh foods of all shapes, sizes and types. The bounty is accessible. But we've changed our eating habits, in part, to appeal to today's trendy world of convenience and hot/cold fast foods. All of us should be eating better. The bears have it right. (Hopefully, though, we are not on their menu! ) Minimal processing, low carb, an abundance of fresh fruits, vegetables, berries, lean proteins and fish can remodel a sluggish body into a healthy one. When something really matters making time must be a top priority. Good health falls into that category!

Under a new book title and with a new and different diet approach, the message does not change. The three medical authors are trying to tell us what we need to understand: Mother Nature knows best. Let us heed her infinite wisdom. It should always supersede ours! Where's that yummy apple or is it a slice of cheesecake? Can't tell right now!