68. BREAST MILK DOES A BABY GOOD

DEAR GRANDMA DONNA: Many young women are debating whether to nurse their babies or give them formula. Please write the advantages of breastfeeding. LOVE, SAVANA

DEAR SAVANA: First of all, let me say that new mothers everywhere need to be assured that the best food for their baby is what nature provides.

For proof of that statement, Robert Cohen reports on a study published early this year that was created by the Nestles Milk Chocolate Company, “Whole Cow’s Milk in Early Life.” It is amazing that this company which produces milk chocolate did this study and made this report:

“Cow’s milk is a major food for young children. Whole cow’s milk is known to be detrimental to infants, mainly due to its low iron content. The negative association with iron status led to recommending the introduction of formula feeding in infancy during the weaning period or when breastfeeding ceased. More recently, the literature suggests that consuming whole cow’s milk in infancy has unfortunate effects on growth, especially weight acceleration and development of overweight in childhood. These issues are discussed in the following chapter. Other suggested reasons for the avoidance of whole cow’s milk in infancy are touched upon, such as milk protein allergy and high renal solute load…”

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breast feeding. Here are their words: “Human milk is the preferred feeding for all infants, including premature and sick newborns… It is recommended that breastfeeding continue for at least the first 12 months, and thereafter for as long as … desired.”

Studies have shown that breast feeding has a long-term effect on intellectual development. IQ tests done on 7- to 8-year-olds revealed that those who were breastfed scored an average of 8-10 points higher.

So what is in breast milk that could make the difference? It may be that the longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, hormones, and trophic factors, which are exclusive ingredients in breast-milk, affect the nervous system and influence brain growth.

Another quality which breast milk adds is the degree of protection it offers against infections in the body. This the commercial formulas cannot give. Colostrum, which is the baby’s first food from the breast, as well as the milk which follows, is rich in antibodies, particularly viral disease antibodies. These antibodies play a vital role in protecting the baby against disease through the first months of life.

It has been observed in hospital nurseries, as well as at home that formula fed babies who develop acute diarrhea due to bacterial infection need no other treatment than simply to be breast-fed.

Dr. E. Robbins Kimball of Northwestern University School of Medicine compared the illness rates in 178 patients between birth and 10 years of age. He found that the bottle-fed children had four times as many ear infections, four times as many colds, eleven times as many tonsillectomies, twenty times as many diarrheal infections and from eight to twenty-seven times as many allergic conditions requiring a doctor’s care when compared to children fully breast-fed for six months or longer.

Breastfeeding is also good for the mother. Nursing her baby causes the mother’ body to release oxytocin, stimulating contractions which help shrink the uterus back to pre-pregnancy size. Nursing helps the mother lose weight, and helps protect the mother from breast cancer.

Breast milk provides perfect infant nutrition for growth, health, development, and all other short and long-term benefits. BREAST MILK—IT DOES A BABY GOOD! GRANDMA DONNA

OAT-PECAN BURGERS
4 c water
2 T olive oil
1 c chopped pecans or walnuts
1/4 c nutritional yeast flakes
2 t garlic powder
1 t sweet basil
2 t onion powder
1 t coriander
1 t sage
4 c rolled oats
Place all ingredients except oats in a large pan. Stir well
and bring to a boil. Stir in oats and immediately remove
from heat. Cover and set aside to cool. Form oat mixture
into 3-inch patties and place on oiled baking sheets. Bake
for 15 minutes on each side. Serve with slivered almond
gravy.

SLIVERED ALMOND GRAVY
Blend 3 minutes:
1/2 c washed slivered almonds
1/2 c water
Add and blend:
3 1/2 c water
1/2 c white flour
2 T chicken seasoning
1 t salt
1 t onion powder
1 t garlic powder
Boil until thick. Pour over patties.