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!