"Babies who do not receive human milk are more likely to get sick," IBCLC interview Ana Charfén

Today Babies and more interview with the IBCLC Ana Charfén. It is an international certified lactation consultant and therefore, a great expert in problems and issues related to breastfeeding.

Ana is the mother of three children, (José, Álvaro and Ani). His original profession is that of an industrial designer but, in addition, he has been trained as Leader of the La Leche League in Mexico and Consultant in Internationally Certified Breastfeeding (IBCLC) in private consultation and runs a company of distribution of products related to breeding where, in addition, it publishes information of enormous interest: COZIBEBÉ.

Let's talk to Ana Charfén about the risks of artificial milk and about good practices for breastfeeding.

What are the health risks of offering artificial feeding to babies?

It is important to highlight the fact that although breastfeeding is the food that corresponds to the human infant, unfortunately many moms have grown up in a culture within which breastfeeding is not the most observed, which leads us to believe that bottle feeding is normal, and the chest is rare.

Most medical and health associations recommend breastfeeding for at least the first two years of life, the first 6 months of age being exclusive. When a health-related person tells you otherwise, they are probably unfamiliar or educated about breastfeeding.

So, is something missing for a baby who doesn't drink breast milk?

The truth is that as you mention, babies who do not receive human milk, are much more likely to get sick especially in the first years of life, since a mother's milk contains antibodies and immunological factors, which protect the baby in the period of life in which it is more vulnerable, since in its early years, the immune system is not fully developed.

While our child receives our milk, which is special to humans, it will be more protected against disease, compared to children who do not breastfeed.

What diseases are more frequent in children who are not breastfed?

We can mention that babies who take formula, have a higher risk of obesity in adulthood, suffer more diseases of the respiratory tract, and more episodes of gastrointestinal diseases.

Breast milk is safe, clean, at the right temperature and does not spoil while inside the mother's body, which we cannot say about almost any other natural food.

Additionally, babies who take a bottle are at greater risk of suffering from dental malocclusion (deformed dental arches, which require orthodontics) since breastfeeding helps maxillofacial development, many muscles are put to work during breastfeeding, it is exercise to the face, and neurological stimulation for the baby.

We can mention that it is well documented that babies who drink artificial milk are more likely to suffer from diseases such as diabetes, some types of cancer and allergies later in life.

Think of the cigarette packages that mention these health risks in the package, and it does not happen in formula milk bottles, which I consider unethical, since they appear to be good for health, when it is proven that this is not the case.

What is the relationship between artificial milk and obesity?

Artificial milk is associated with a higher risk of obesity both during childhood and even in adulthood, this is because the formula milk does not contain certain hormones and enzymes that breast milk has, which cause satiety in the breastfed baby , as well as by the composition of artificial milk itself.

But especially because of the way artificial milk is given to the baby, the bottle lets the milk flow much faster than when the baby takes the breast, which causes the stomach of the baby taking formula to be overfilled.

There is also the fact that moms believe or have been instructed that the baby should drink a certain amount of milk, even when it shows signs of not needing so much.

When a baby breastfeeds on demand, he satisfies his hunger at the moment he presents himself and stops breastfeeding when he feels satisfied.

This is known by many nursing mothers, it is the law of supply and demand of breastfeeding. Breastfed babies self-regulate their milk intake, and in that way they feed exactly as they need it at a certain time.

Unlike babies who drink bottles with formula milk, they can't help drinking milk that flows easily and fills their stomachs too much. Or the mother who insists that the baby finish the bottle even though the baby shows signs of being satisfied with less milk.

There is a clear association between the way of feeding in childhood through artificial milk in a bottle and the development of obesity in adulthood.

Breastfeeding promotes the baby to feed frequently and in smaller portions, just as nutritionists suggest to maintain a healthy weight.

Are there psychological or emotional aspects that are also linked to breastfeeding?

I think that the saddest thing that babies who do not drink milk from their mother are lost, are the hours that are not in their arms, listening to their heart, feeling their skin against that of their mother, since the bottle can be given by anyone already Sometimes the baby can take it alone.

Breastfed babies have a special bond with their mother, which mothers who have gone through the experience of breastfeeding probably understand perfectly.

I loved it interview the IBCLC Ana Charfén, forceful, clear and with enormous confidence in what he explains. Tomorrow we will publish the second part of this interview, in which we will address issues such as the growth of the breastfed baby and good practices to achieve successful breastfeeding.