Drying Up: Breastfeeding as the Biological Norm

Breastfeeding As a Biological Norm

Humans are complicated creatures. We are unique in several ways from our primate kin and other mammals. Even from our own foremothers, women today have challenges and limitations that have proven difficult to overcome. Natural does not mean simple, and simple does not mean easy.

The process of lactation begins as soon as a mother is pregnant. The first stage is the laying down of new mammary tissue in preparation for the initial milk supply–the first milk called “colostrum”. It differs from mature milk in both form and function. Colostrum is denser in calories, higher in protein, and contains different antibodies than mature milk. It is thicker in consistency and is a golden yellow color. Once the baby is born, the placenta detaching causes a drop in progesterone, which triggers the switch from colostrum to mature milk. This hormone-driven shift takes place over the course of several days and is commonly known as your milk “coming in”. While many mothers experience engorgement or leaking, it is also within the realm of normal to have no noticeable swelling or growth after the birth. It is not indicative of insufficient supply.

The initial twenty-four hours after the birth are crucial in establishing the nursing relationship. Birth is exhausting for both mother and baby, and there is a brief window of alertness where a newborn will most easily accept the breast and latch well. The World Health Organization encourages immediate skin to skin contact with initiation of breastfeeding in the first hour after birth. The current practice in some hospitals of otherwise healthy infants being observed as they transition to the outside world is disruptive to this process and ultimately unnecessary. Skin to skin care, where the baby can hear the same heartbeat, the same rhythm of the mother’s breaths, and hear her voice, provides a more gentle transition to life outside the womb.

A main component into why the first days of life are so important, and a large part of why the first three months of parenthood can be so difficult, is how underdeveloped human infants are at birth. Compared to other species, we take an inordinate amount of time to mobilize, eat solid foods, and reach full physical development.

One of the more significant differences that play into this is the human pelvis. Not only is the shape narrowed by function of being bipedal, the structure of the muscles, ligaments, and tendons are fundamentally different from those of other mammals. The restrictions that the medical model of childbirth place on mothers further complicate the process of birth and breastfeeding. The large cranium that houses our unique brains is the reason humans are born so underdeveloped, and that presents some complications when it comes to feeding. The digestive tract in particular is slow to mature, and is susceptible to inflammation and infection. One of the gravest risks presented by artificial milk substitutes or fortifiers is to premature infants, who face enormous challenges already. The most common cause of death in this population is necrotizing enterocolitis. The proteins of cow’s milk differ vastly from those in human milk, and the composition of fats and sugars as well. Combined with the non-sterile nature of powdered formula, these factors comprise the main factors of risk for the underdeveloped human infant.

Another biological fact of breastfeeding is the different ratios of fats to proteins to carbohydrates in mammalian milk. There are cache mammals, such as deer and rabbits, where the mother feeds her young intermittently throughout the day. These mammals’ milk have the highest ratio of proteins and fat, to help sustain them until their next feeding. Nest mammals are those that “den” and their young have a short period of helplessness, such as the dog and cat. Their eyes are born shut and they have limited ability to move, and dependent on their mothers’ warmth, need her constant presence. Their milk is higher in carbohydrates, as the more frequent feeds than cache mammals provide more nutrients.

Next are follow mammals, such as the horse and cow, who walk shortly after birth and can eat frequently at their mothers’ sides. Their milk is lower in fat and protein than cache mammals, but higher than those of other species (in order to provide the energy and build the muscles these animals need to develop quickly).

Finally, there are carry mammals, such as primates and marsupials. The infants of these species are the most helpless, for the longest period of time, and feed the most frequently. It is normal for a newborn baby to nurse almost around the clock and to stay constantly at their mother’s side. Carry mammal milk is the highest in carbohydrates, as the large brains of primates require large amounts of sugars to grow and function.

Modern life proves to be the biggest challenge to a successful nursing relationship. Mothers are more alone now than ever, as families are smaller and more distant from one another. The life of a woman when there were grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and sisters to help maintain the household while a new mother recovered is very different from the experiences of women today. Especially compared to having a network of local friends and family, women must go outside for social interaction. The only avenues to connect are through mothering groups, activities for their children, or their churches. Even with a successful start to breastfeeding in the hospital, in-person support is crucial to the breastfeeding relationship. Ultimately, if the challenges of modern life are managed and mothers receive the support they need, they can more successfully reach their goals.