There is this huge push nowadays that "breast is best". So much so, that when breastfeeding isn't working out easily, many mothers are taking to full time pumping, freezing, and using this breast milk storage for their baby.
Our bodies are pretty amazing. Did you know that your body receives signals from your baby's saliva, and in turn makes changes to the composition of your breast milk? Your breast milk also changes throughout one feeding, throughout the day, and has different composition from month to month.
With all of this in mind, it made me think:
What if pumping isn't as ideal as we think?How careful do we need to be with it?
Should a 6 month old baby, be given pumped milk from when he or she was 3 months old?
For moms that are breastfeeding, and then pumping to gain freezer storage for those moments in need... is that really the best option?
When is the ideal time to pump?
Is after a feeding ok?
As far as I can tell, there really hasn't been much research done in this area. I personally think there needs to be, however.
Since, as a society, we are pushing breast milk as the "best" option, many moms are feeling guilted into pumping and storing milk, when they otherwise may have just used formula.
Formula has been highly researched and we know it is a safe, good alternative. In fact, it has some advantages such as being enriched and fortified with iron. Pumping, storing, and feeding is most likely also safe- but what if it isn't as straightforward as we think?
