Pumped Milk vs. Direct Breastfeeding: Which is Better for Your Baby?
Key Highlights:
- Many mothers now using breast pumps to store milk
- Breastfeeding directly enables the milk to adapt more effectively to the baby's needs
- Pumping milk offers convenience and flexibility, making it possible for others to help with feeding the baby.
Parenting has certainly evolved over time. From selecting toxin-free products to keeping little ones away from added sugars, and even starting their education early, parenting practices have seen significant upgrades.
Breastfeeding has adapted to modern lifestyles, with many mothers now using breast pumps to store milk, ensuring their babies receive proper nutrition even when they are separated. This has been especially helpful for working mothers and those who travel frequently, allowing them to balance their careers and parenting while still meeting their babies' nutritional needs.
Pumped Milk vs Breastfed Milk
- Breastfeeding directly enables the milk to adapt more effectively to the baby's needs, as the process triggers the release of hormones that enhance the milk's nutritional and immune qualities in real-time.
- Breast milk is naturally distributed with fats throughout the feeding session, a characteristic that may be difficult to replicate with pumped milk.
- Pumped breast milk, when bottled, preserves essential nutrients, fats, and immune factors, making it a suitable alternative when direct breastfeeding is not possible.
- However, some nutrients may experience slight degradation during storage, particularly if the milk is frozen beyond the recommended time frame.
Meanwhile, Dr Apurva Gupta, consultant, obstetrics and gynaecology, Daffodils by Artemis, Delhi, shares that direct feeding is often considered ideal because it allows for skin-to-skin contact, which can enhance bonding and regulate a baby's temperature. Additionally, the baby's sucking reflex can stimulate milk production.
However, pumped milk is a viable alternative that offers flexibility and allows others to help feed the baby, which can be especially beneficial for working mothers or mothers with specific medical conditions.
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