Earlier this month, I appeared on Global morning news for the Calgary’s Child segment, to talk about nutrition for breastfeeding. You can watch it online here. I can never fit everything in the during 3 minutes clips, so will expand on that brief segment here.

Except in extreme cases, breast milk will be nutritious for baby no matter what mom eats, as her bodies’ main priority is producing that breast milk. But mom needs to take care of her own nutrient stores too. For example, I mentioned calcium: if a breastfeeding mom does not get about 1000mg per day through diet/supplements, her body will draw from her stores (bones!) to give to the milk. And lost bone mass can likely be made up once breastfeeding is finished, may as well prevent it to begin with!

I discussed the importance of omega 3 fats, as fats transfer into the breastfeeding mom’s milk. Especially DHA, found in fatty fish, as it is needed for baby’s brain and eye development. On the other hand, it is especially important to avoid trans fats, as these also transfer into breast milk. While many food manufacturers have taken trans fat out of packaged products, prepared cake icing, hydrogenated (brick) margarine and probably some fried restaurant foods still contain the harmful trans fat.

It may also be beneficial to avoid pesticides found in foods- mostly produce. We don’t really know if they affect infant’s development, but they certainly can’t help! Buy organic when you can, especially those fruits and veggies that are more likely to be contaminated: http://www.organic.org/articles/showarticle/article-214

For most breastfeeding moms, there is no need to avoid spices. In fact, these tastes get transferred to breast milk and your baby will get a wide variety of flavours. This may make him/her more willing to accept different flavours in solid foods and make them less picky!

Most babies will be fine with anything mom eats. Some may be bothered by spicy or gassy foods or dairy. If you have a colicky baby, it is important to note that it will not help to switch him/her to formula, as the incidence of colic is no lower in formula-fed babies. However, you can keep a food record along with nursing times, and times babe is fussy. A small amount of fussy babies will improve if mom removes the offending foods from her diet. Try for at least a week, making sure you still have a balanced diet. You can try re-introducing problem foods again in a few weeks, once your baby’s intestines are more developed.

I also had the opportunity to talk briefly about the benefits of breastfeeding, many of which are not well known. For example, did you know that breastfeeding can reduce the risk of SIDS and childhood leukemia for your baby? And what about benefits to you as a the mother? The longer you breastfeed, the lower your risk of breast cancer. You will also have a lower risk of ovarian cancer, diabetes and postpartum depression than women who do not breastfeed. On top of that, it can help with postpartum weight loss, breast milk is free, always warm, and a good choice for the environment!

Calgary Breastfeeding Matters Group Foundation
161 Chapalina Court SE
Calgary, AB
T2X 3X1
www.cbmg.ca

Motherhood Maternity
456 North 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123

February 10, 2011

Dear Motherhood Maternity Marketing Department;

I am writing on behalf of the Calgary Breastfeeding Matters Group Foundation, to take issue with Motherhood Maternity’s partnership with Mead Johnson’s Enfamil infant formula.

By providing pregnant women with formula samples, your current partnership threatens the mom and baby breastfeeding relationship . Having a jar of formula easily available during the first days of breastfeeding makes it easy for a new mom to quit breastfeeding and offer the formula instead. Formula companies know this, and attempt to get the formula into the homes of pregnant women. Formula feeding can harm the baby and produce substandard development.

By providing Enfamil through your customer contact information and promoting Enfamil, Motherhood Maternity is violating the World Health Organization endorsed International Code of Marketing of Breastfeeding Substitutes. This Code states that: “(infant formula) should not be marketed or distributed in ways that may interfere with the protection and promotion of breast-feeding.” More specifically regarding the general public and mothers:
5.1 There should be no advertising or other form of promotion to the general public
of products within the scope of this Code.
5.2 Manufacturers and distributors should not provide, directly or indirectly, to
pregnant women, mothers or members of their families, samples of products within
the scope of this Code.

We request that you respond to this letter, and discontinue your marketing relationship with all infant formula companies.

Sincerely,

Jennifer House, MSc, RD
Board Member CGMGF
On behalf of CBMGF

cc: Elisabeth Sterken, INFACT Canada
Yeong Joo Kean, Legal Council IBFAN
Members, Calgary Breastfeeding Matters Group
Managers of Motherhood Maternity stores in Calgary, Sunridge, Crossiron Mills, Northland
Birth Unlimited
Calgary Attachment Parenting Society
Gene Zwozdesky Alberta Minister of Health
Dr. David Swann, Leader of the Official Opposition and Executive Council Critic
Dietitians of Canada

Breastfeeding does not often come “naturally” to a new mom, as we think it should. In fact, I remember myself being an upset new mom because I was in pain due to engorged breasts and had a baby not latching properly (and now my ‘baby’ is 2 years old, and still nursing!). But breast milk IS the most natural food for your baby.
(And to note, I am not writing this to make moms who are formula feeding feel guilty. There is enough guilt we already put on ourselves being moms, and formula is certainly an adequate alternative.)

On to the benefits of breastfeeding:

1) Cost: Formula can cost thousands of dollars a year. Breastmilk is free.

2) Convenience: No bottles or nipples to sterilize. No formula to measure, mix and pack. Your baby has access to warm milk anywhere the two of you are – no “hooter hider” required!

3) Health of Mom: Breast feeding moms have a decreased risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, diabetes and osteoporosis. The longer you breastfeed, the better. Breastfeeding a newborn also causes the mother’s uterus to contact faster leading to quicker recovery and less postpartum bleeding. And potentially the benefit you are concerned with most at present: breast feeding may help postpartum weight loss for mom!

4) Health of Baby: Breastmilk provides changing antibodies, which may account for the decreased risk of ear infections, asthma, and perhaps some viruses and allergies in breastfed babies. The benefits of breastmilk have even been shown to extend into adulthood by decreasing risks of obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure.

5) Breastmilk changes to meet the growing needs of your baby: Depending on the baby’s age, the proportion of fat, carb, protein and water change to meet their nutritional needs best.

6) Bonding: Breastfeeding allows quiet relaxing time to bond . Endorphins are release in the mom – this is the “love” hormone and can help mom de-stress (or get back to sleep!). Of course you can also bond with bottle-fed babes. Just cuddle them while they feed, rather than “propping” up the bottle with some new-fangled device.

7) Environmental: No processing, packaging, shipping, advertising and waste from formula manufacturing.

Easier to digest: Breast milk is easier to digest for the baby. Leading to another benefit well-known to most moms: better smelling baby poos!

If you are having difficulties breastfeeding, ask your doctor for a referral to a lactation consultant, look up a private Lactation Consultant or contact your local La Leche League (http://www.lllc.ca/).