It seems like with both of my kids the magic hour was around 4 am.
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Colostrum: The Fight Against Infection in Newborns
Being a mother of two boys and a nutrition student, breastfeeding was the obvious choice for me when it came to my own children. It is not always easy to breastfeed as there is a natural learning curve for both mother and baby. Above that, it is also not always viewed as something accepted by our society, which often leads new mothers down the aisle in the grocery store for a seemingly endless selection of promising formula. While formulas seem like a great solution to natural breast milk they are chemically produced and still an inferior product. Breast milk changes its composition constantly with the demand of the baby, which makes it a much better fit. While scientists in China have been trying to produce human-like milk in genetically modified cows that offers antibodies of natural mothers milk, it still falls short since it is not a custom match to the particular babies’ needs (Gray. 2011). A mother’s milk changes from the first milk that she produces a few days after birth (Colostrum) in look and composition constantly meeting the demand of the stage the baby is in. For example the fat content of the milk changes over time, as the baby requires different amounts of fat in its diet as it grows from the time it consumes breast milk alone beyond the time solid foods are introduced. Among the different compositions of breast milk colostrum stands out, not only because of its thicker texture, yellow color and comparatively small amount per feeding, which suits the babies’ initial small stomach, but even more so because of its composition of nutrients. Colostrum can be considered equivalent to a vaccine that is created by nature intended for newborns (“What is Colostrum? How does it benefit?”. 2006). The great amount of antibodies and other properties gives a newborn the perfect start into its life. Colostrum is perfect in its composition for newborns since it is high in carbohydrates, protein and antibodies, while being low in fat, which is more difficult to digest for newborns (“Colostrum”. 2014). Furthermore, colostrum plays a key part in particular in a baby’s gastrointestinal tract as it seals holes that initially exist in it. The intestinal tract also creates a barrier by keeping foreign substances from entering the baby’s sensitive body, which is why it is important to the sides sealed (“What is Colostrum? How does it benefit?”. 2006). Colostrum has over 100 components of which 30 ingredients are not found anywhere else but in human milk (Penchuk. 2006). Among these are for protection: Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, IgM), Leukocytes, Lactoferrin and Lysozyme. Immunoglobulins are antibodies that fight bacteria, viruses and yeast (Penchuk. 2006). The interesting part about immunoglobulin IgA is that it is new to infants and acts as a vaccine in that it is an antibody. In the womb the infant received immunoglobulin IgG through the placenta, which is then followed by IgA after the baby is born. While IgG offers the baby protection via the baby's circulatory system, IgA does its work by shielding the baby from attacks by germs in mucous membranes found in the throat, lungs, and intestines (“What is Colostrum? How does it benefit?”. 2006). Leukocytes reduce viral activities by the creation of interferon. Lactoferrin is an anti- inflammatory, which fights infections and Lysozyme fights bacteria and viruses. For regulation: Proline-rich polypeptides, Cytokines, Interlukin-10 and Lymphokines (Penchuk. 2006). These work together like a team. While Proline-rich polypeptides repress the immune system, Lymphocytes and Cytokines regulate it and Interlukin-10 control inflammations (Penchuk. 2006). For support: growth factors (Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), Prolactin, Epithelial growth, Transforming growth factors A and B, Fibroblast growth factor, Gonadotropin releasing hormone, Associated peptide and growth hormone), Neucleotides and multiple Amino Acids, Vitamins and Minerals (”What does Colostrum contain and how?”. 2007). Growth factors not only help the healing process and cell repair, they also help growth and regeneration of different tissues, as well as balancing blood sugars, help with the breakdown of fat and support the uptake of serotonin, which has been found to reduce SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) (Bock & Miller. 2010). Most of these individual ingredients can’t be synthesized and only exist in human milk. The combination of these together, give a baby the best start in life. Taking a closer look at the effect of the antibodies in colostrum IgA stands out. Jack Newman shares some great research on breast milk and in particular colostrum and its components: Without IgA transferred to an infant through breast milk it will take weeks before a baby is able to produce this antibody. Even more specific is the kind of antibody that exists in a newborn, as it is a result of the germs a mother was exposed to and then transferred to the infant via the milk. These antibodies help fight harmful bacteria while not damaging the useful bacteria in an infant’s gut. The significance of IgA molecules compared to other antibodies is that they fight disease without causing inflammation, during which even healthy tissue can be harmed by killing off microbes. In underdeveloped countries where sanitation is poor, mothers put breast milk on infant’s eyes or wounds to protect them. Even in our society mothers use breast milk to heal wounds of the baby or their own sore nipples, especially in the beginning stages of nursing. Besides the importance of antibodies in the breast milk Newman further takes a closer look at the following components which also aid in the fight against bacteria: Among these are Oligosacharides, which have the ability to attract bacteria at their binding sites, where they are then transformed into harmless complexes and ultimately discharged by the baby. Free fatty acids found in breast milk can hurt the membranes of engulfed viruses, e.g. chicken pox virus. Furthermore, Leukocytes are found in colostrum in vast amounts, which fight infections and signal other defense mechanisms. The enzyme lysozyme is produced that attacks bacteria by manipulating with the cell wall, they also prompt lymphocytes to fight intruders. Interestingly milk lymphocytes multiply at a greater rate when they are in the presence of bacterium that can cause life-threatening diseases in infants than when the bacterium cannot cause that serious of an illness (Newman). As mentioned earlier, the effects of serotonin in breast milk are a relatively new discovery. Serotonin is another very powerful component as it reduces the chances of a baby dying on SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). According to Bock and Miller, in order for a baby to die on SIDS, three criteria have to be met, which include a stress factor (such as a baby sleeping on it’s tummy reducing possibly the intake of oxygen), a critical time of development (fairly typical for any infant) and an underlying vulnerability. Low levels of serotonin fulfill this third factor. Researchers examined tissue of the medulla region in the brain, responsible for the regulation of body temperature, breathing, blood pressure and heart rate of infants who died on SIDS and compared it with that of infants who died of other causes. The findings were that the levels of serotonin were 26% lower and the enzyme tryptophan hydroxylase, which is necessary to make serotonin, was 22% lower in the infants who died of SIDS (Bock & Miller. 2010). As many mothers know infants that can turn over, often choose to sleep on their tummy, so if the serotonin from breast milk takes out one of the three conditions that have to exist to cause SIDS the effect of breast milk prevents death in infants. All of these are just a few of the key ingredients in breast milk that have great properties to give an infant the best start in life. The combination of these do not only give healthy babies tools to fight off diseases but are in particular important for infants who have diseases where the immune system may be compromised such as down syndrome. No matter how much the formula producing industry is trying to improve their product, it will never have the continuously adjusting properties of breast milk to meet every stage of an infants needs. The properties of colostrum stand out the most and are a life-savor especially for infants in their most fragile stage, the first few weeks of their life. References 1.Gray, R. (2011). “Genetically modified cows produce ‘human’ milk”. The Telegraph. Retrieved from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/agriculture/geneticmodification/8423536/Genetically-modified-cows-produce-human-milk.html 2.(2006) “What is Colostrum? How does it benefit my baby?”. La Leche League. Retrieved from http://www.lalecheleague.org/faq/colostrum.html 4. (2014) “Colostrum” ScienceDaily. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedaily.com/articles/c/colostrum.htm 5. Penchuk, E., L. (2006). “The importance of human milk”. Breastfeeding Online. Retrieved from http://www.breastfeedingonline.com/importanceofhumanmilk.html#sthash.rxL22aWC.dpbs 6.(2007). ”What does Colostrum contain and how does it work?” Synertek. Retrieved from http://www.firstmilking.com/what_does_colostrum_contain_and_.htm 7.Bock, R., Miller, M., G. (2010). ”SIDS linked to low levels of serotonin”. NIH News. Retrieved from http://www.nih.gov/news/health/feb2010/nichd-02.htm 8.Newman J. “How Breastmilk protects newborns”. Retrieved from http://www.boba.com/pdf/Breastfeeding/HowBreastmilkProtectsNewborns.pdf I hope you can find some useful information on this blog to make the most out of your breast feeding experience. Once I complete my certification as a IBCLC (International Board Certified Lactation Consultant) I intend to have weekly posting on this blog about subjects that come up in my work as a lactation consultant (obviously while ensuring the privacy of my clients).
If you have any questions regarding nursing that I may be able to answer as a mother and nutrition student, please feel free to comment here or send me an email. Happy Nursing, Herdis |
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"While breastfeeding may not be the right choice for every parent, it is the best choice for every baby"
- Amy Spangler Archives
November 2018
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