There is a lovely little one-page blurb titled "Just One Bottle . . . "
that was published in "Breastfeeding Review", Volume II, Number 8, November
1993, page 358. It is written by Anna Vnuk. I repeat it here for all, and
recommend that people get a copy of the original and include it in handouts
to doctors and nursing who are making these decisions about newborns -- and
give it out to expectant parents as prenatal classes:
Just One Bottle . . . .
Did you know . . .
. . . That just one bottle can have serious consequences for both mother
and baby? Unfortunately, it is very easy to give a breastfed baby "just
one bottle of formula" and the reasons stated for giving the bottle often
show concern and compassion.
For example:
Letting the mother have a well deserved rest after a long delivery.
Settling a hungry baby who is difficult to feed.
Giving the mother's sore nipples a rest.
But studies have shown that "just one bottle of formula" can be harmful to
both mother and baby by . . . .
Increasing the likelihood of serious allergy to cow's milk protein (Host
et al, 1988).
Increase the chance of bowel infection and diarrhoea by change the pH of
the bowel. It may take up to one month to return to normal, safer levels
(Bullen et al, 1977).
Causing nipple confusion (Newman, 1992).
Affecting the delicate supply and demand balance (De Coopman, 1993).
Increasing engorgement by not emptying the breasts (Moon & Humenick, 1989).
Decreasing a mother's confidence in her ability to feed her baby (Houston
& Howie, 1981).
Reducing the duration of breastfeeding (Gray-Donald et al, 1985).
Most mothers would not want their breastfed baby to be given a bottle of
formula, especially if they are aware of the consequences, so it is
importnat to obtain their informed consent before exposing them to these
risks.
Also, most mothers would agree to breastfeed their baby, even when they are
sore and tired, if they realise how important this is.
So, remember, breastfeeding is a precious gift.
Encourage and protect it during these vital early days.
Anna Vnuk
MBBS, DipObs RACOG, IBCLC
References
Bullen, CL, Tearle, PV, Stewart MG 1977 The effect of humanized milks and
supplemented breastfeeding on the faecal flora of infants. J. Med.
Microbiol 10:403-413.
De Coopman, J 1993 Breastfeeding after pituitary resection: Support for a
theory of autocrine control of milk supply? J Hum Lact 9(1):35-40.
Gray-Donald, K, Kramer, MS, Munday, S, Leduc, DG 1985 Effect of formula
supplementation in the hospital on the duration of breastfeeding: A
controlled clinical trial. Pediatrics 75:514-518.
Host, A, Husby, S, Osterballe, O 1988 A prospective study of cow's milk
allergy in exclusively breastfed infants. Acta Paediatr Scand 77:663-670.
Houston, MJ, Howie, PW 1981 The importnace of support for the breastfeeding
mother. Health Visitor 54(6):243.
Moon, JL, Humenick, SS 1989 Breast engorgement: Contributing variables and
variables amenable to nursing intervention. JOGNN 18:309-315.
Newman, J 1990 Breastfeeding problems associated with the early
introduction of bottles and pacifiers. J Hum Lact 6(2):59-63.
Correspondence: A. Vnuk, 57 Alicante Ave, Wynn Vale, SA 5127, Australia
D
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Katherine A. Dettwyler, Ph.D. email:
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Anthropology Department phone: (409) 845-5256
Texas A&M University fax: (409) 845-4070
College Station, TX 77843-4352
http://www.prairienet.org/laleche/dettwyler.html
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