Saturday, November 04, 2006


Cool breastfeeding facts
Did you know....
1.Human milk has over 300 ingredients, including interferon, white blood cells, antibacterial and antiviral agents, while formula has only 40 ingredients.
2.Human milk has been shown to kill cancer cells in a laboratory dish and has been used in oncology.
3. The human breast "custom-makes" antibodies to fight whatever pathogen the infant is exposed to in the environment.
4. Breast milk has been used to treat eye infections, ear infections, pimples, cold sores, and nail fungus and prevent infection in scrapes and scratches.
5. In some parts of the world, donated organs are bathed in breast milk for the protective factors.
6. There were 22 "significant" recalls of formula for potentially life-threatening situations.
7. Human milk lactoferrin is patented for use in killing E. Coli in the meat packing industry.
8. Donor milk is being used to treat malabsorption and short-gut syndromes, renal failure, inborn errors of metabolism, ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, immunodeficiency diseases, burn cases, cardiac problems, and infectious diseases such as intractable diarrhea, gastroenteritis, infantile botulism, sepsis, pneumonia, and hemorrhagic conjuctivitis in both children and adults.
9. Adoptive moms, grandmothers, and yes, even men (!) have been able to lactate for an infant.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

It's amazing and wonderful and I still find myself in awe that I can have such "magical powers" and produce nourishment for my child. It is the #1 thing I look forward to most when having children!

Anonymous said...

It's amazing isn't it?! I've been reading a bunch about induced lactation lately (we plan to adopt after #2) it's fascinating that we're able to do that!

beth said...

I remember when Sam had an eye infection as an infant and I read that I could use breast milk to treat it. I thought it was the coolest thing ever and it totally worked.

Life With All Boys said...

I lOVE to breastfeed my babies. Like Steph, it's my favorite thing. There is a great sense of satisfaction that you alone are giving your baby all the nourishment that he needs.

Carter is REALLY big for his age, and when people find out that I am only nursing him, he's never had formula or baby food, their mouths drop. Now THAT'S cool!!!

And I'd like to hear more about what Ashlee is talking about. And Beth, an eye infection? God is amazing. We really are all our babies need!

Michelle said...

Breastmilk is awesome, I think it's so cool that God created mothers to be able to grow and nourish a baby inside for months and then nourish a baby/toddler/child for months and years outside the womb.

I treated all three of the kiddos for pink eye with breastmilk this spring. It worked and we didn't need to drive to see the doc for antibiotic drops! :D

Anonymous said...

WOW - I had no idea!!!

Misty