Article Source: msnbc.com
from:msnbc.comDonor milk may lack key nutrients for preemies
Seeded on Mon Dec 6, 2010 11:02 AM EST (msnbc.com)
— Filed under: health
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Formula is a much better alternative.
No, it's not.
Sure it is...read the article. The breast milk is incomplete. They are suggesting adding supplement (formula)....no one is knocking breast milk, in this case a formula supplement is needed to complement the breast milk...to make it complete.
The science backing breastfeeding is clear: Breastfed babies are healthier and less susceptible to disease
I was adopted and was fed formula milk. I would argue that I get less sick than others who were breast fed. I usually get sick once maybe twice a year usually in winter when more people are sick and passing it around.
You're talking about now. Breastfed babies are healthier WHILE they are being breastfed. I'm guessing you are more than 1 year old? During your first year of life, you would have been healthier and less susceptible to disease than you already were if you had breastmilk. After that it wouldn't make any difference.
People need to realize that their one exception to the rule doesn't negate statistical data. And there has never been any claim that ADULTS who were breastfed are healthier...only that they are healthier (on average) as BABIES.
Good for you, but were you a preemie?
Formula may be a great alternative if breastmilk is unavailable, but it is not the best for preemies. Breastmilk helps a preemie's body and brain develop better than formula. When a mother gives birth early, her milk is very special because it has all the extras her baby desperately needs to face the fight to survive. Some preemies develop an intestinal problem that will kill them if they do not have breastmilk.
Not really disputing you at all, but I wanted to point out that DHA and EPA (the omega-3 FA's) are the part that is especially essential for brain development. According to the article, it is DHA in particular that is lacking in donated milk. It appears donated milk has high enough levels for term babies, but not preemies. Therefore, if given donated milk, a preemie may not be getting enough DHA. Keep in mind this article isn't addressing what is in the preemie's mother's milk - rather it is about donated breast milk.
Formula, in general, is supplemented with both DHA and EPA. There are formulas for babies that can't tolerate milk, babies that can't tolerate milk and soy - such as Nutramigen (one of my son's had to use this formula). There are even formulas made for babies that can't tolerate even nutramigen - and have amino-acids, instead of peptides. Formula, regardless of the type, lacks antibodies - which help all babies, whether premature or not.
Like you said, formula is a great alternative if breastmilk isn't available. Both of my boys were formula fed due to complications at birth that made me unable to breastfeed. If I had the option, I would've breast fed them though. My niece, who was 16 weeks premature, had to be formula fed very specific formula. My niece is doing great - she's young still (just over a year old), but you couldn't tell she s a preemie at all.
In the end, parents need to discuss their particular circumstance with their child's pediatricianor neonatologist to determine what is best for their baby.
Except in very special circumstances, my understanding is that the donated milk from the mom of a 13-month-old is in the same stockpile as the milk from the mom of a 2-month-old. As the article says, milk changes as the babies of the nursing mom ages. I wonder if they would get better results from using the milk originally made for the younger babies.
www.raisingstinker.com
Why is it that I find the concept of donated human breast milk completely disgusting.
You are taking the bodily fluids from a complete stranger and giving it to your baby just because it is breast milk? You have no idea where that woman has been, her habits, or even what she takes into her body.
I'd rather do formula.
I just have to ask...how is taking the bodily fluids of a strange cow any different from taking the bodily fluids of a fellow humn?
Are you serious?
Cows are bred for consumption. Cows are food. Inspected by the FDA.
Actually, I am serious. Humans evolved to eat human milk as infants. As far as our babies bodies are concered human milk is food. Cow milk is perfect for baby cows.
That said, home made forumal based on milk from healthy pastured animals (cows, goats, sheep) would be a far better choice for bottle feeding than commercial baby formulas based on milk from those poor, sick agribusiness raised beasts.