The number of people saying that breastfeeding is new age has shocked me. Breastfeeding is the original source of nutrition for infants. Until conventional formula became popular, breastfeeding was completely normal. Some photographic examples if necessary…
Chattanooga bus terminal in 1943 – Esther Bubley
Southern Tenant Farmers Union Meeting in 1937 – Louise Boyle
Part of Social Hour audience at Shafter Camp (handwritten on reverse) b) Todd’s favorite picture of an “Okie Family” in Shafter F.S.A. Camp. Nursing babies was the usual thing at camp “Socials.” (typed and attached to reverse)
Woman in Granada, Spain 1951 – Jean Dieuzaide
Paris Doctor’s Waiting Room 1946
So why did breastfeeding become so offensive? Wet nursing (a practice where a lactating woman breastfeeds a child other than her own) was the first option for mothers who could not breastfeed or, in higher society, mothers who did not want to, as well as for widowed fathers and orphans. Secondly was offering animal milk, either straight from the animals’ udders or teats, or from inventions made of wood, ceramics, rags, metal, and even cow horns.
An article from the NIH states
“Clay feeding vessels dating from 2000 BC onwards have been found in graves of newborn infants (Wickes, 1953a). The vessels are oblong with a nipple-shaped spout (Osborn, 1979a). At first, the objects were thought to be containers for filling oil lamps. However, chemical analysis revealed casein from animal’s milk in the containers’ residue (Weinberg, 1993), which suggests that animal’s milk was used in ancient times as an alternative to breastmilk (Wickes, 1953a).
In the early 19th century, the use of dirty feeding devices, combined with the lack of proper milk storage and sterilization, led to the death of one third of all artificially fed infants during their first year of life (Weinberg, 1993).”
Citation
Stevens, E. E., Patrick, T. E., & Pickler, R. A History of Infant Feeding. The Journal of Perinatal Education, 18(2), 32. https://doi.org/10.1624/105812409X426314
In the late 1700s, research began on the composition of human milk, and in 1865 the first “formula” was developed, first as a liquid and then as a dry powder. Cow’s milk, flour, and potassium bicarbonate were the ingredients for these beginning formulas. Quickly following was the invention of evaporated milk. Sugars, dextrins, and starches were added to the evaporated milk. Consisting mainly of carbohydrates, the formulas would fatten the babies, but they lacked essential nutrients. Today, most essential nutrients are found in formula; however, unlike breast milk, it is not possible for formula to be tailored to each individual formula-fed child.
As beautifully explained by lactation consultant Katie Mugan on a Lola&Lykke blog post. Breast milk constantly changes and adapts to your child’s needs. From the time of day to germ exposure, your milk is the perfect nutrition and medicine for your baby.
Not only is breast milk the original source of nutrition, it is also the safest.
“Mothers’ own milk is considered to be the best source of infant nutrition [1]. Extensive evidence has shown that breast milk contains a variety of bioactive agents that modify the function of the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system, as well as in brain development. Thus, breast milk is widely recognized as a biological fluid required for optimal infant growth and development. Recently, studies have further suggested that breast milk mitigates infant programming of late metabolic diseases, particularly protecting against obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Globally, only 38% of infants are exclusively breastfed. In the United States, only 75% of infants initiate breastfeeding from birth; however, by the age of three months, 67%, or 2.7 million, of them rely on infant formula for some portion of their nutrition [6]. Among new mothers, the six-month “any breastfeeding” rate for the total U.S. population is 43%, with only 13% meeting the recommendation to breastfeed exclusively for six months [4].”
In low-income countries, formula is heavily marketed. Pregnant women and mothers are targeted through social media and advertising channels. They are exposed to media that highlights the nutrients and benefits but is not transparent about the added sugar content. In wealthier, more educated countries, the same products are sugar-free.
Formula can be vital to some infants; however, marketing has inflated formula to seem as something it is not. Bribery of health workers, free samples, and other means of product distribution were commonly used by formula marketers. This false advertisement has led to the decline of health in many infants.
“Babies who are not breastfed at all are 14 times more likely to die than those who are fed only breastmilk. But any amount of breastmilk reduces a child’s risk of death. Babies who received no breastmilk at all are seven times more likely to die from infections than those who received at least some breastmilk in their first six months of life.”
“Currently, suboptimal breastfeeding is associated with over a million deaths each year and 10% of the global disease burden in children.”
Breastfeeding has been linked to a reduction in numerous diseases; more can be read on the benefits here.
In conclusion, breastfeeding is the “old-fashioned” and healthiest choice for any infant. In some circumstances, that is not possible; however, breastmilk is still commonly available through donors and banks. Even if the breastmilk is not from the child’s mother, it is still much safer to offer breastmilk from a donor over offering formula. The mortality rates due to formula, as well as the increased morbitity is undeniable. If at all possible, choose breastmilk.
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