The document advocates for breastfeeding by outlining its benefits and arguing against formula. It notes breast milk provides optimal nutrition tailored for infants with properties that protect against illness. In contrast, formula does not match these benefits and may increase health risks. While some mothers choose formula due to various pressures, breastfeeding supports child and mother well-being in addition to being more environmentally friendly. The document encourages informed decision making and supporting breastfeeding.

1. BREAST IS BEST
By: Sandy Dhudwal and Nisha Velji

2. OUTLINE
1. History
2. Recommendations
3. Properties of Breast Milk
4. Benefits of Breastfeeding
5. Harmful Effects of Formula Milk

3. 6. Why Some Mothers Choose Formula
Vs. Breast Milk
7. Other Options
8. Additional Resources

4. OBJECTIVE
 To increase awareness about breast feeding.
 To educate about the benefits of breast feeding.
 To educate about the basics of breast feeding.
 To educate about the harms associated with
formula feeding.
 To advocate for breast feeding and empower
parents to make an informed choice.

5. HISTORY
 Artificial feeding becomes
readily available at turn of
century
 By 1940’s control of birth &
feedings given to doctors
 By 1970, historical low in
breastfeeding rates in western
world
 Rates peak in 1980s
 Duration rates still generally low

6. RECOMMENDATIONS
 Exclusive breast feeding until 6 months
of age
 Introduce complimentary foods with
continued breastfeeding
 Optimum to breastfeed for 2 years or
longer

7. PROPERTIES OF BREASTMILK
 Biologic specificity
=> Long-chain
omega-3 Fatty
Acids (DHA and
AA)
-Important for brain
and retinal
development
-Higher IQs

8. IMMUNOLOGIC SPECIFICITY
 Protection against pathogens &
allergens
 Kills pathogenic organisms or modifies
their growth
 Stimulates epithelial maturation for
future defence
 First immunization
 Protection against common respiratory
and intestinal diseases

9. IMMUNOLOGIC SPECIFICITY
 Colostrum = Baby’s first vaccination
 Less risk of illness such as:
Ear infections, pneumonia, crohn’s disease
and other bowel illnesses, stomach flu and
other intestinal illnesses, ear infections,
childhood cancers, diabetes, arthritis,
allergies, asthma and eczema

10. PERFECT FOOD FOR BABIES
 Just the right amount of nutrients in the right
proportions
 Over 200 components in human milk
 Composition of breast milk:
-Live cells, fat, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins,
minerals
-Less fat than most other mammals
-More lactose than other mammals

11. BREAST MILK COMPOSITION
 Fat (4% concentration provides up to 50%
of caloric needs, cholesterol levels
constant, lipolytic enzymes aid in fat
digestion)
 Carbohydrates (lactose = milk sugar
predominantly in human milk, 7%
concentration provides up to 40% caloric
needs, essential for development of CNS,
enhances calcium & iron absorption)

12. BREAST MILK COMPOSITION
 Carbohydrates (Bifidus factor = growth
factor present only in human milk
required for establishing an acidic
environment in the gut to inhibit growth
of bacteria, fungi and parasites)
 Protein
-Lactoferin => Isolates external iron
-Secretory IGA => Most important
immunoglobulin, breast milk = only
source for first 6 weeks

13. BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
 Ecological:
-Saves resources
-Less waste
-No refrigeration
-No manufacturing
-No bottles, cans
-No trucking
-No handling

14. BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
 For Society
-Smarter
-Healthier
-Less cost to healthcare system
-Stronger families

15. BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
 To Families
-Less trips to
doctors, hospitals
-Less prescriptions
-Less stress
-Less illness
-More bonding
-Inexpensive

16. BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
 Benefits to baby:
-Better dental health
-Increased visual acuity
-Decreased duration and
intensity of illnesses
-Less allergies
-Better health & less risk
of illnesses

17. BENEFITS OF BREASTFEEDING
 Benefits to mother:
-Psychological (Attachment, bonding, security,
skin to skin, fulfillment of basic needs,
relationship)
-Easier weight loss
-Decreased risk of illness (breast cancer,
osteoperosis, hemmorhage, ovarian cancer)
-Birth control
-Pride, empowerment, fulfillment

18. HARMFUL EFFECTS
OF FORMULA MILK

19. Why some mothers choose formula
vs. breast milk
 Distressed by physical discomfort of early breastfeeding
problems.
 Convenience issues
 Pressures of employment/school
 Worries that breast shape will change
 Formula manufacturers manipulate people through their
ads
 Doctors and nurses need more lactation training
www.hasslefreeclipart.com/. ../baby_crying.gif

20. Why some mothers choose formula
vs. breast milk
 Moms given very little time to adjust to changes of
postpartum
 Family demands
 Non-supportive family/health professionals
 Embarrassment
 Lack of confidence in self
 Feeling that one cannot produce enough milk
www.dreamstime.com/ thumb_27/11304631444pJ47D.jpg

21. Mother’s milk vs. formula milk
 Formula milk for 3 days old
babies is no different than
formula milk for 3 months old
infants.
store.enfamil.com/ media/pr_prosobee_lipil.jpg
 Breast milk is ingeniously
different every single day;
adapted to the changing needs
of the baby.
breastfeeding.8k.com/ Resources/breastfeeding.jpeg

22. Mother’s milk vs. formula milk
 Human milk is designed to
support the development of
large brains, capable of
processing and storing lots of
information.
www.babymall.com.au/ images/readingroomcartoon.gif
 Cows milk is designed to
support functions, like constant
grazing.
myxo.css.msu.edu/danimal/ quiz/cow_picture.png

23. Illness Relative risk
 Allergies, eczema 2 to 7 times
 Urinary tract infections 2.6 to 5.5
times
 Inflammatory bowel disease 1.5
to 1.9 times
 Diabetes, type 1 2.4 times
 Gastroenteritis 3 times
 Hodgkin's lymphoma 1.8 to 6.7
times
 Otitis media 2.4 times
 Haemophilus influenzae
meningitis 3.8 times
 Necrotizing enterocolitis 6 to 10
times
www.geocities.com/.../ Canopy/4116/stalk.gif

24. Illness Relative risk
 Pneumonia/lower
respiratory tract infection
1.7 to 5 times
 Respiratory syncytial virus
infection 3.9 times
 Sepsis 2.1 times
 Sudden infant death
syndrome 2.0 times
 Industrialized-world
hospitalization 3 times
www.mamashealth.com/
images/lungs1.gif

25. Barriers to Bonding
* A Bottle places a physical barrier
between mom and baby
*Less skin to skin contact
*Less eye contact
* The hormonal connection
between the breastfeeding
mother and baby cannot be
experienced by the bottle
feeding mother
www.photohome.com/.../ mom-and-baby-1a.jpg

26. Other Options If Breastfeeding is
Not Possible
Mom can still use her milk, even if she decides not to
breastfeed:
 Use a breast pump (electric/manual)
 Cup or bowl feeding
 Spoon feeding
 Eyedropper or feeding syringe
 Nursing supplementer
 Get milk from donation bank
graphics.iparenting.com/. ../womanpumping.jpg

27. THE END
There is no freedom of choice for humans
if it has been taken away from them
at the beginning.
Breast-feeding is not a choice,
but an obligation to the choice,
Give your child the freedom of choice.
www.13.waisays.com/ image006.jpg

28. Additional Resources
 La Leche League
 World Health
Organization
 Community Health
Nurses
 Lactation
Consultants
 Public Health
Agency of Canada

29. References
 Mohrbacher, Nancy, and Stock, Julie. The Breastfeeding Answer Book, 3rd
Edition. Illinois: La Leche Leage International, 2003.
 The Breastfeeding Committee for Canada. The Baby-Friendly Iniative in
Community Health Services: a Canadian Implementation Guide. BCC, 2002.
 World Health Organization. Evidence for the Ten Steps to Successful
Breastfeeding. Geneva: WHO, 1998.
 Class Notes
 Google Images
 http://www.fda.gov/FDAC/features/895_brstfeed.html
 http://medicalreporter.health.org/tmr0297/breastfeed0297.html
 http://www.mamadearest.ca/en/info/benefits_breastfeeding.htm
 http://www.lambtonhealth.on.ca/infant/benefits.asp
 http://www.babyfriendly.org.uk/health.asp
 http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/rhs-ssg/factshts/brstfd_e.html
 http://www.caaws.ca/mothersinmotion/baby/feeding_benefits_e.html