Why I Gave My Baby Only Breast Milk Their First Year
Breastfeeding exclusively for a year was something that was normal in my family. My mom, aunts, and grandmother, all exclusively breastfed their babies until around 12 months. I knew that this was what I wanted to do as well, but I didn't exactly know why. After looking into the many benefits of exclusively breastfeeding for a year, I was certain that this was something that would be best for me and my baby. I tried not to stress about making it to the 12-month mark, I figured if my milk supply was able to keep up with her demand, then great, and if not, at least I tried.
Exclusively breastfeeding and delaying introducing solids to a baby has many benefits.
Here is what I have found: Immune Health- Breast milk gives babies protection from illness. A baby that is exclusively breastfed receives greater immunities than babies who are not. Breast milk contains 50+ immune factors. One study has shown that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 4+ months had 40% fewer ear infections than breastfed babies whose diets were supplemented with other foods. The probability of respiratory illness occurring at any time during childhood is significantly reduced if the child is fed exclusively breast milk for at least 15 weeks and no solid foods are introduced during this time (Wilson, 1998).
Digestive System- A baby's digestive system needs time to mature. If solids are started before a baby’s system is ready to handle them, they are poorly digested and may cause unpleasant reactions such digestive upset, gas, and constipation. Protein digestion is incomplete in infancy. Gastric acid and pepsin are secreted at birth and increase toward adult values over the following 3 to 4 months. The pancreatic enzyme amylase does not reach adequate levels for digestion of starches until around 6 months, and carbohydrate enzymes such as maltase, isomaltase, and sucrose do not reach adult levels until around 7 months. Young infants also have low levels of lipase and bile salts, so fat digestion does not reach adult levels up until 9 months old.
Allergies- Many doctors will actually recommend delaying solids until 12 months if there is a family history of allergies. Growing up, my husband used to be allergic to everything. This gave me more of an incentive to reach the 12-month mark with my baby girl. From birth until somewhere between four and six months of age, babies possess what is often referred to as an “open gut.” This means that the spaces between the cells of the small intestines will readily allow intact macromolecules, including whole proteins and pathogens, to pass directly into the bloodstream. This is great for breastfed babies as it allows beneficial antibodies in breastmilk to pass more directly into baby’s bloodstream, but it also means that large proteins from other foods and disease-causing pathogens can pass right through as well. During a baby's first 4-6 months, while the gut is still “open,” antibodies (sIgA) from breast milk coat baby’s digestive tract and provide passive immunity, reducing the likelihood of illness and allergic reactions before gut closure occurs. A baby starts producing these antibodies on his own at around 6 months, and gut closure also occurs by this time.
Anemia- Delaying solids helps to protect baby from iron-deficiency anemia. The introduction of iron supplements and iron-fortified foods, particularly during the first six months, reduces the efficiency of baby’s iron absorption. Healthy, full-term infants who are breastfed exclusively for periods of 6-9 months have been shown to maintain normal hemoglobin values and normal iron stores. In one study (Pisacane, 1995), the researchers concluded that babies who were exclusively breastfed for 7 months (and were not given iron supplements or iron-fortified cereals) had significantly higher hemoglobin levels at one year than breastfed babies who received solid foods earlier than seven months. The researchers found no cases of anemia within the first year in babies breastfed exclusively for seven months and concluded that breastfeeding exclusively for seven months reduces the risk of anemia.
Milk Supply-
Studies have shown that solids replace milk in a baby’s diet, they do not add to it. The more solids that baby eats, the less milk he takes from mom, and less milk taken from mom means less milk production. Babies who eat lots of solids or who start solids early tend to wean prematurely.
Breastfeeding exclusively for a year is not for everyone. It is beyond exhausting, yet extremely rewarding at the same time. It definitely takes a lot out of you, which is why I make sure to take care of myself by eating nutrient dense foods that are full of good fats and high protein. I continue to take my prenatal multi-vitamins, along with other supplements, and plan to take them until my baby is completely weaned from breastfeeding. I am still planning to breastfeed her until we are ready to wean. She is currently 16 months old and hasn't shown any signs of wanting to stop yet.
Remember, every baby is different. What's most important is that your baby is gaining weight, happy, robust, and growing!
