Whether you are a breastfeeding mom, mom-to-be, or a woman thinking about having a child, the decision to breastfeed or use baby formula is a typical dilemma in the modern world. Some women feel that “Fed Is Best” and breastfeeding is not right for them after they do it for a month or two, so they switch to baby formula. There are certain dangers to consider when deciding to give a child commercial baby formula, though.
From a biological standpoint, breast milk is considered the optimal food for newborns. Human milk contains countless bioactive molecules that help to inhibit inflammation and infection, while also contributing to healthy organ development. It also helps to mature the immune system. Now, this does not mean that breastfeeding is always optimal. Some mothers are unable to breastfeed and some babies struggle or are unable to do so. Some mothers can breastfeed, but just can’t produce enough milk.
Baby formula, on the other hand, is typically processed under high heat, which can lead to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGES). AGES are basically sugar molecules that damage proteins in your body, leading to inflammation or an increased risk of chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease.
The dangerous thing about sugar damaging protein is that it makes your immune system act defensively. A child’s immune system will combat AGES, but this leaves some damage in his/her arteries, which can lead to the formation of plaque; thus, the strong connection between infants who consume formula and heart disease or diabetes later on in their lives.
Almost all of the infant formulas out there contain substances that should be avoided, one of the main ones is sucrose. All major formulas have some kind of added sugar because it helps babies to digest the proteins in milk in soy. Breast milk, on the other hand, contains things like probiotics and healthy bacteria that help an infant’s body thrive. The probiotics in breast milk also help to contribute to the healthy development of gut flora. While baby formulas may contain probiotics, they are inferior to those found in breast milk.
Think of an infant’s body as a blank slate. The baby has yet to form an ecosystem that develops within the digestive system. The manufacturers of baby formula cannot replicate the beneficial microflora that exist in breast milk. What we are essentially saying is that breast milk is the best milk.
Did you know that breast milk has roughly 100 different components that contribute to the development of a healthy child? Breast milk contains living cells, hormones, enzymes, and protective antibodies that help to neutralize foreign invaders in a baby’s body. Breast milk also contains lactoferrin, which is an iron-building protein that has antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-cancer properties.
What Moms Need To Do
Since the baby is essentially consuming what the mother puts in her body, it is ideal to consume a healthy diet. Eating a lot of processed foods, meat, meat products, added sugars, or refined ingredients is not going to benefit a baby’s health. It is best to consume plant-based foods that are going to give your body complete proteins and essential nutrients to help the baby’s development. When the baby is old enough to start eating real foods, it is advisable to make your own baby food by pureeing vegetables and fruits. Homemade is the best way to ensure that your baby isn’t consuming processed ingredients.
Safe Herbs To Help Detox Baby Formula From Infants
- Red Clover
- Mullein leaf
- Chaparral
- Strawberry leaf
- Chickweed
- Elderberry
- Dandelion
- Burdock root
Make a tea from these herbs and sweeten it with grade A maple syrup and add a little lemon juice, and give to the baby via a bottle.
To conclude, we understand that not every person is going to see eye to eye on this matter. We only recommend that if you are going to use baby formula for your child, it is advisable to do your research to make the best informed decision you can possible make. There are other options like donor milk or homemade formula. We also recommend that you do read the ingredients of baby formula to ensure you aren’t give a child harmful chemicals.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
