Breast milk… changes over time, and even over the course of a day, to meet the changing needs of the growing child. This is one fact about breastmilk (as noted by the US Breastfeeding Committee in my previous blog article) that many women aren’t aware of.
With infant formula, 2 ounces equals 2 ounces equals 2 ounces (if you mix it properly). With breastmilk, what 2 ounces contains in one feeding is not necessarily equal to what 2 ounces equals during another feeding. The dynamic interplay between mother and child goes well beyond simple actions; it goes as deeply as the content of your breastmilk!
The number of calories in breastmilk is not necessarily defined by the number of milliliters and ounces. Just as one ounce of skim milk contains fewer calories than whole milk… Mix the two types of milk together in any combination and the calorie content will change with each combination. Or, you might try to add a protein shake into the mix. Your body is capable of doing this, and does it all day long, without your knowing it, to perfectly suit your baby’s needs. Not only from day to day, but from month to month. A premature baby’s needs are different than a 6 month old baby’s needs, and your body knows this, on some amazing level, and sorts it all out to produce exactly the milk your baby needs for it’s developmental level. Use that bit of knowledge to boost your self-confidence as a mother!
Another quality of breastmilk that people don’t even think about is taste. What you eat can change the flavor of your breastmilk. So your baby is getting a different meal and taste sensation, just as you eat different types of food at each meal. Breast milk provides your baby with a symphony of flavor – compare that to the bland, unchanging taste of infant formula. Just think what you have to offer your baby in comparison!
How does the saying go? … Variety is the spice of life!
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