Is Breast Really Best?

A new study out of Norway today promises to send shockwaves through the lactivist world.  But for the rest of us, it will hopefully ease fears. 

The study, done by researchers at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, found that breast milk is not as important for a baby's health as is previously believed. 

The scientists say, it is true that breastfed babies tend to be healthier but that it has nothing to do with the milk.  Rather, it has everything to do with hormones (specifically male hormones) during pregnancy---before the baby is even born and eating.  Confused?  Read on.

The lead researcher, Dr. Sven Carlsen believes the key lies with the placenta. According to Carlsen, hormones that come from the fetus are converted into testosterone and estrogren in the placenta, which is an energy intensive process.  If the placenta doesn't have enough energy, a portion of the testosterone that would have been converted to estrogen isn't.  So what does this mean for baby and mother?   For the baby, increased exposure to testosterone as a fetus can lead to obesity, type 2 diabetes and other health risks.

For the mother it means reducded glandular tissue development in the breast and thus the milk doesn't develop optimally. The more testosterone a mother has in her body during pregnancy, the less likely she is able to breastfeed.  (Women who have health risks like smoking, obesity and other risk conditions who have more testosterone by the way). 

Extrapolate all this out and you'll see how he comes to his conclusion. 

Carlsen and his team reviewed more than 50 international studies about the relationship between breastfeeding and health.  Most concluded that the more children are nursed, the healthier they will be.  On the surface that's correct.  But it's not because of the breast milk.  It's because of hormone exposure in utereo ( which affects breast milk production).

This study's conclusion corroborates the largest study ever done on the relationship between breastfeeding and health.  In that study, done in Belarus, 17-thousand women and babies were studied and the children were followed until they reached age 6.  The study found no signs that asthma and allergies were less prevalent in children who were breastfed.

Bottom line?  Breastfeeding is wonderful.  And it's good for everyone.  But if you can't, or choose not to do it, relax, and don't feel guilty.  The health benefits may not be as big as originally believed.  You're not being a bad mother.  You're not putting your child at risk!