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Go Green!
We all know there is nothing better and more nutritious for your baby than breast milk. Breastfeeding offers numerous health benefits as breastfed babies experience fewer occurrences of illnesses such as stomach viruses, lower respiratory illnesses, ear infections, and meningitis. Even when these illnesses do happen, they tend to be less severe in breastfed babies. Additionally, breastfeeding may provide protection against various health conditions that may develop later in life, including high cholesterol, diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease, and cancer. For more detailed information, please refer to the table below.
Also, immune factors such as secretory IgA (only available in breast milk) help prevent allergic reactions to food by providing a layer of protection to the baby’s intestinal tract. Without this protection, inflammation can develop and the wall of the intestine can become “leaky.” This allows undigested proteins to cross the gut where they can cause an allergic reaction and other health problems.
Babies who are fed formula rather than breast milk don’t get this layer of protection, so they’re more vulnerable to inflammation, allergies, and other eventual health issues.
Benefits for Mothers
Less likely to develop
breast & ovarian cancer.
Shrinks uterus faster.
Weight loss:
500cal/day=5 mile run
Infant Benefits
Lower chance for
ear, respiratory and
gastrointestinal illnesses.
IQ level increase
Young Children Benefits
Less likelihood for
asthma, diabetes,
autoimmune diseases,
obesity
What is the difference between fore and hind milk?
Fore Milk: The breast milk that is produced at the beginning of each feed and it is lower in fat than the hind milk. The color will be different due to less fat content.
Hind Milk: Is produced during the latter part of feeding. The extra fat is important for brain development and also it contributes to higher caloric content of milk. For this reason, try to continue pumping /breast-feeding for 15 minutes or longer until the breasts are empty.
Expressed Milk Volume Guidelines
The guideline for milk volume by day, 10 to 14 days post delivery, for the term baby is as follows:
24 oz per 24 hrs = ideal
10 to 15oz/ 24 hr = borderline
less than 10 oz/ 24 hr = poor
The goal is to increase the amount of pumped breast milk over time, If you are not pumping 10oz per day by week 2, you should call lactation consultant. Also for my patients, ask me how to increase/decrease breast milk supply by using natural remedies and homeopathic medicine.
Guide to Breast Milk Storage
| Place | Temperature | Duration | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countertop | Room temperature (up to 77F) |
6- 8 hrs Colostrum: up to 12 hrs |
Keep containers covered and cool. Do not save milk from a used bottle for another feeding. |
| Insulated cooler bag | 5 -39 F | 24 hrs | Keep icepacks in contact with milk container and limit opening cooler bag. |
| Refrigerator | 39 F | 5-8 days | Store milk in the back of the main body of the refrigerator. |
| Freezer compartment of refrigerator | 5F | 2 wks | Store milk toward the back of the freezer where temperature is most constant. Milk stored for longer duration in these ranges is safe but its quality may not be as high. |
| Freezer compartment of refrigerator with separate doors | 0 F | 3 – 6 months | Same as above |
| Chest or upright deep freezer | – 4 F | 6 – 12 months | Same as above |