You cannot bypass the fact that breastfeeding is essential to a baby’s life. In fact, several organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Family of Physicians all recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life.
You can even extend it up to 2 years, as recommended by the World Health Organization. So the question is, why are some children still unable to reach these recommendations? And what are the health risks of not getting breast milk?
But before we judge mothers who are unable to feed their baby, we must first know that there are a variety of reasons behind this insufficiency. According to an article on CuteLittleDarling.com, efficient latching is essential to get a good milk flow.
Inefficient latching can either be because of the baby or the mother. Sadly, a consequence of not breastfeeding is that the mom herself will have a low milk supply. But other than this reason, medical conditions (e.g., illnesses, medications, surgery), comfort, and lifestyle can also play a role.
Risks of Not Being Fed with Breast Milk
- According to the 2011 Call To Action to Support Breastfeeding report by the Surgeon General, the risk of developing gastrointestinal infections (vomiting and diarrhea) is 178%.
- Premature infants have an increased risk of having necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC.) NEC is a disease of the intestines that can cause death if not treated. Premature infants are more susceptible to this disease.
- Breastfed babies have a lower risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS.) SIDS itself is still unexplained. However, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics Task Force, factors surrounding breastfeeding are associated with a lower incidence of this condition.
- Breast milk contains natural immune factors and antibodies for protection against pathogens. Therefore, not having access to it makes the baby prone to infectious morbidity.
- Formula-fed infants have doubled risk of having otitis media compared to breastfed infants. What is otitis media? Otitis media refers to a group of inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. This condition possibly resulted from an existing illness (cold, flu, or allergy), or a virus or bacteria.
- As we have mentioned earlier, breast milk contains factors beneficial to the immune system. Consequently, if a baby does not obtain breast milk, it means that it will be harder to fight against lower respiratory tract infections. Babies who don’t have access to breast milk also have a higher risk of developing respiratory diseases such as childhood wheeze and asthma.
- Breastfed infants are shown to have lower serum insulin concentrations. They are also less likely to develop type 2 diabetes later in life compared to babies who aren’t breastfeeding.
- Although there are other factors to consider and further studies are needed, breastfeeding is likely related to protection against obesity, metabolic diseases, and cardiovascular diseases.
- Several studies suggest that breastfeeding infants have higher intelligence scores. Breastfeeding even has a significant effect on the child’s brain development compared to those who aren’t breastfed.
What you can take from this information is that although there are other factors in developing these diseases, breast milk plays an irreplaceable role. It has a unique composition that can protect against infections. But did you know that not breastfeeding or early weaning can also affect the mother’s health?
Risks of Not Breastfeeding
- The reason for having a higher risk of postpartum bleeding is because breastfeeding releases oxytocin that causes uterine contraction.
- Women who chose to breastfeed over using a formula for their babies have lower risks of developing postpartum depression. Breastfeeding causes hormonal changes, including the release of oxytocin. These hormones will, in turn, affect bonding to promote relaxation and nurturing.
- Not breastfeeding is associated with ovarian and breast cancer. The reason for this is because lactation amenorrhoea and lactogenesis have effects on malignancy.
- Moms who never breastfed have higher risks of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, as well as type 2 diabetes and obesity. To give you an association, burning calories is helpful for losing the weight gained during pregnancy. And it is worth noting that breastfeeding requires 500 kcal per day. Lactation also affects the glucose and lipid metabolism necessary to prevent the development of diabetes and heart diseases.
Breast milk is essential, period. There are so many health risks associated with the lack of it (for the child) and not expressing it (for the mom.) Nowadays, devices like breast pumps can even help you produce milk and make sure that your child never skips a feeding. However, if you have other reasons that prevent you from producing or giving it, it is best to talk to your doctor or lactation consultant.
