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Breast Milk Tied to Baby's Metabolism
Filed under: Breast-Feeding, Nutrition
Breast milk lowers blood insulin levels more so than formulas. Credit: Getty Images
The Kansas City Star reports French researchers have found a significant link to breast milk and a baby's developing metabolism. The researchers found children who breast-feed have lower blood insulin levels than formula-fed babies.
The formula-fed babies also had higher blood pressure.
Therefore, when infants cannot be fed breast milk, researchers conclude they should be fed formula with a metabolic profile as close to human breast milk as possible.
According to the Star, researchers analyzed three years of data on 234 children. One group received only breast milk for the first four months of life. The other two groups were randomized to receive either a low-protein formula or a high-protein formula.
Children who received breast milk for the first four months, the Star reports, had a specific pattern of growth and metabolic profile that differed from the formula-fed babies.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 2)
6-09-2011 @ 12:56AM
Chris said...Here's the affect it has on unsuspecting people - disgusting!
Reply
6-09-2011 @ 6:20AM
lisa said...Chris-GROW UP! There is nothing "disgusting" about feeding your child.
6-09-2011 @ 9:59AM
Suzy said...It's obvious you have some mental problems if you think that breastfeeding is disgusting! It is the way God intended for babies to be feed; that's why He gave women breasts!! God did NOT give women breasts, for men to gawk over and lust over!! He gave them to us to feed our babies, also the most beautiful and natural thing in the world!! GOD CREATED EVERYTHING, AND EVERYTHING GOD CREATED IS BEAUTIFUL!! You're obviously a VERY IMATURE person!! GROW UP!! No one asked you to look!!
6-09-2011 @ 10:58AM
helen hunt said...You should consider getting help !
6-09-2011 @ 11:22AM
Amanda said...Chris, what is so disgusting about a mother feeding her child? That is what human breasts are for-providing food to an infant or toddler! They are basically UDDERS. If you find it so "disgusting," then you need to grow up and get over it!
I nursed both my children, and I also let them wean themselves instead of arbitrarily slapping a "done" time on them. My older daughter weaned herself at age 2, and my younger daughter weaned herself at age 3 (before anybody calls me a mutant, bear in mind she was born with a heart problem that required surgery at 18 months, and since breastmilk provides an immune system boost, I had no qualms about letting her continue longer!). Both are healthy, intelligent kids now, and I smile when I think of how I not only contributed to their health, but also saved us a ton of money by not having to buy formula and the bottle liners for using it, etc! Breastfeeding is not only healthier, but also saves money and time! It's a win-win all around, I'd say.
6-09-2011 @ 12:57PM
Melanie said...I imagine that Chris was just here hoping to see some boobies.
6-09-2011 @ 12:42AM
chckpope said...Well it's no wonder, have you read the ingredients, the first item listed is High Fructose Corn Syrup, Monsanto and the corn industry strikes again. Poisoning babies from the start. Not all women can breast feed and there should be a safe and healthy alternative, we've looked everywhere for a natural formula and to no avail. Even the stuff in the health food stores are laced with HFCS. So instead of making mothers feel guilty for feeding formula, maybe you should be finding other formulas that they can use when breast feeding isn't an option.
Reply
6-09-2011 @ 2:13AM
tiffany said...My mother's generation had an aversion to breastfeeding. They thought of the woman's breasts as purely sexual objects. I am truely sorry for that. My health has suffered throughout my life and I believe it stems back to this very important point. I know people who long ago made baby 'formula' from canned milk products. It's just a shame that women don't try, barring medical complications, to learn to breastfeed their newborns. So many good things for the health of mother and baby is lost. Labor isn't fun, diaper changing isn't fun, midnight wake ups aren't fun. Parenting is hard and breastfeeding should be a normal part of that.
Reply
6-09-2011 @ 3:44AM
txno1509 said...That's true. It is clear that breast milk has special functions for both babies and mothers.
For mothers, there are also many benefits form beast feeding that can stimulate the contractions of the uterus which help to control blood loss after childbirth. Besides, breast feeding can save time. It doesn’t waste time for making formula, cleaning bottles and heating the feedings. Maybe the most important is that breast feeding helps lose the weight the mother gained during pregnancy quicker.
It's from http://freetxno1.com/2011/05/17/breast-feeding-for-newborn-babies/
6-09-2011 @ 4:34AM
heidi said...Breastfeeding is the best for babies and as long as you can produce milk you should do it,formula is garbage so is jar food. The best thing is to mash up real food like mashed potatoes,fruits vegetables that is what I did with all five of my children and they are all very healthy
Reply
6-09-2011 @ 6:26AM
dawn said...Wow mother of the year! Some Mothers work 60 hours a week. Besides, I hope you mashed up organic fruits or vegtables because all of those toxins in the pesticides that were sprayed on them weren't very GOOD for your children.
6-09-2011 @ 6:56AM
Mary said...I can feel anger in some of your words..Yes many mother do work full time and over.If you choose to breastfeed that is wonderful.I did for all three children Yes it is demanding.I know I did work. full time.(when I chose the break room rest room was the only thing available and I did it on my break and lunch hour.Today It is the LAW that entiles every women who chooses to breastfed her babies pumpimg time and a room to do it in.(not the restroom.) If you cannot totally breastfeed supplementing is fine also.The important thing is that youbaby gets atleast 4 to 6 month.It is a wonderful time in your life.YES it is hard work .They are only little for a short time...and so is your time on earth//so give your children the best you can give(it does not have to cost anything but your LOVE)Most of all enjoy your children and cherish them they are really gifts form above.
6-09-2011 @ 5:20AM
Melissa Gross said...There is a big difference in a baby's brain development when it comes to breast feeding versus formula. If you can, breastfeed. Many children who are on formula don't do as well in school.
Reply
6-09-2011 @ 6:23AM
kim said...That's so ridiculous! Where are the studies? My son was not fed breast milk and just scored a 2280 on his SAT's. I know plenty of stupid people that were. Don't forget people, genetics plays a huge role in this kind of stuff.
6-09-2011 @ 7:13AM
Karen said...Although numerous studies have looked at intelligence and breastfeeding, it is still not clear whether the benefits of breastfeeding on cognitive development reflect nutritional or socioeconomic advantages.
Some studies have revealed no differences after adjusting for socioeconomic status, environment, and maternal verbal ability, whereas others have shown benefits.
6-09-2011 @ 11:48AM
Laura said...My mother didn't breastfeed me or my brother and both of us have IQs above 150 and were straight A students throughout elementary and high school and college. Both of us have been very successful in our careers as well. While I will agree that what nature intended is probably best, there are too many other factors that affect an individual's intelligence and how they use it to give all the credit to just breast milk. And, to throw my two cents in on the issue, there are many reasons a woman chooses to breastfeed or NOT to breastfeed her child. It's nobody's business but hers and maybe the child's father.
6-09-2011 @ 5:26AM
albalairv said...And the containers are adorable.
Reply
6-09-2011 @ 6:17AM
Pamela said...I don't know. There's always so much information flying around about whether breast is best. I've had 3 children, and was only able to breastfeed the youngest. My first one had feeding problems and my second one was a biter (yes, from day 1!) , but my youngest had no problems with it until she developed a milk allergy. My kids all have developed pretty much the same and they're all in the top of their classes. I say go with what works for you and don't let anyone criticize you for your decisions.
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6-09-2011 @ 7:34AM
Melinda said...First, it probably doesn't take a lot of research to know that the milk produced by the human body is much better for a human baby than an artificial milk would be. Second, no one should be upset if they cannot breastfeed, but surely most women would want to attempt it if they know it is better for their child...and of course it is much less expensive! Third, the article is about metabolism and blood sugar levels, not intellect. We do have a serious obesity and diabetic problem in this country and if breast feeding for only four months can help prevent this in even a small percentage of our children isn't the sacrifice of time and effort worth it? And perhaps fewer allergies, better intellect and parent/child bonding will come along too!
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6-09-2011 @ 6:15PM
Brandi said...I am surprised at the number of comments that are so defensive. If I understand correctly, you (defensive, angry commenters) are offended at the very suggestion that breastmilk is better for a child in the long run? I have had four children in the last seven years (I breastfed them) and as I observed my peers having children alongside me, I must say, few of them breastfed. The ones that didn't breastfeed did not have a medical reason that prevented them from it. I know that there are women who have medical reasons that keep them from breastfeeding, but that is certainly not the majority. Yes, if your going to be working a full time job, you are going to have to take a break to pump, and that's not going to be easy...but since when is doing the absolute best for your child ever been easy.
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