Here is another possible evolutionary explanation. If baby boys take more milk
than girls maybe it is because the higher mortality rate of baby boys is
mitigated by the dose-response effect of breastmilk. The more breastmilk the
baby ingests, the greater immunity the baby receives. Therefore maybe more boys
survive if they drink more milk.
Boys take more because they need more. Or to look at it another way ---
girls require less milk(& passive immunity) because they survive more
effeciently. Or -- all babies take the milk they need to achieve growth &
developmental milestones.
Happy New Year to All,
Nancy Mallin, MA, IBCLC, LLLL
Kensington, MD USA
PS Cathy, it was so great meeting you in Baltimore. Your presentation was
excellent!
Date: Thu, 30 Dec 2010 19:01:53 -0500
From: "Catherine Watson Genna BS, IBCLC" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Re: loop of bogus references re: more fat/protein in breastmilk for
boys than for girls??
It makes sense that boys might require a higher fat, protein and calorie
content in milk than girls. We already know that boys generally take a
greater volume of milk. That's a cost to the mother as well.
The evolutionary explanation that sons can have more babies and are more
worth the investment is speculation. Remember the scientist who
postulated that menstruation existed to regularly wash out the dirty
male secretions from the vagina? That was based on a non-breastfeeding
menstrual pattern, not the biological norm for most of human history. It
can be so hard for us human beings to seperate out our culture from our
science.
Alternatively, sons provide assistance to the family, and in many
cultures stay with the birth family and import their wives. In my n of 1
(family), my 24 y o son is very happy to carry heavy bags, get items
down from up high, and kill insects that have wandered into the family
abode. He'll also cook and shop, so maybe he's just a helpful sort (good
advertisement for bf and attachment parenting). His sister is similarly
wonderful, but much less enthusiastic about strength and reach requiring
tasks.
Catherine Watson Genna, BS, IBCLC NYC cwgenna.com
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