World Breastfeeding Week (WBW) was founded in 1992 by World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and is celebrated in the first week of August with the concept of advocating for change and educating on the benefits of breastfeeding.

To celebrate breastfeeding this World Breastfeeding Week, we would like to share with you what 2 of our Health Professionals have to say about the many wonders of breastmilk.

By Emma Park (Functional Nutritionist, Clinical Educator BHSc)

Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) are my favourite and I would say the most fascinating component of breastmilk.

HMOs are the third highest component of breastmilk and are little wonders of their own. Not only do they feed the good bacteria in a baby's developing microbiome, but they also:

• Reduce cytokine expression and inflammation.
• Protect against pathogens (acting as DECOYS to pathogens by mimicking lectin binding sites.  They also bind to dendritic cells protecting the baby from exposure and /or preventing viral uptake and replication - mesmerising stuff!?)
• Produce metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and increase mucin production and work to improve the integrity of the epithelial and mucosal barrier.
• Modulate immune responses - balancing Th1 and Th2 responses.

It’s important to consider that breastmilk is not just ‘food’ for growth and development. Breastmilk is personalised medicine.

Many of the components of breastmilk respond and change in response to baby’s needs via the retrograde flow mechanism. Some of the baby’s saliva is transferred back into breast tissue where immune cells and other components (like HMOs and probiotics) are then synthesised specifically for the baby’s needs. This works on demand. Minute by minute. Nothing changes when they turn into toddlers, they still are demanding!

By Julie Dovaston (Midwife, Lactation Consultant IBCLC)

Breastmilk has a complex system of antimicrobial factors with every teaspoon of breastmilk containing 3,000,000 germ-killing cells in it. As a Midwife and Lactation Consultant, I often encourage mums to use breastmilk in creative ways for therapeutic benefits. However, please consult your Health Practitioner for personalised recommendations, the information below is non-specific.

• Newborns often get blocked tear ducts which can lead to eye infections.  I encourage parents to use breastmilk in their baby's eyes to help with this.
• If a baby has nasal congestion, common advice is to use of a few drops of saline up the nose followed by using a suction device, however using breast milk instead has the benefits of breaking down the mucous as well as the immune factors to fight against any pathogens.
• Using breastmilk to soothe and heal nipples is one of the most well-known benefits. Using the recommended moist wound healing techniques alongside the antibacterial properties can be a game changer. I like the use of Silverette nursing cups for this reason as it helps keep breastmilk surrounding the nipple. However, we also don't want to have water-logged skin like when you have been in a bathtub for too long. So for best practice, use for short periods of time.
• It is becoming popular to make a healing balm using breastmilk mixed with ingredients such as beeswax and grapeseed oil or coconut oil. This can then be used for the likes of nappy rash, eczema, cradle cap, treating baby acne, and healing cuts and scrapes. Mothers have also been known to use it on their stretch marks.
  If you don't have time to make a balm, that's ok, dabbing a cotton wool ball into breastmilk and applying directly can work just as well.
• Adding breastmilk to your baby's bath can be a great way to help with eczema and skin irritations.
• When baby is teething making breastmilk ice pops can be a way to soothe the swelling of the gums as well as the natural sugars in our milk helps settle pain. 

Isn't it wonderful that our bodies make this magic milk that has so many benefits as well as being a complete food for our baby?

To deep dive into the science of breastmilk and learn more about HMOs, probiotics, and what’s impacting breastfeeding, join the Qiara Health Professional Portal to access free CPE/CPD education on this very topic.

To find out what we are doing to celebrate World Breastfeeding Week 2023 including a FREE webinar, click here. This webinar is for anyone planning to breastfeed or persons who are interested in the intricacies women face with breastfeeding, hosted by Qiara and guest host Pinky McKay, Author, midwife and boobie expert!

REFERENCES
L A Hanson et al. Breastfeeding protects against infections and allergy. Breastfeeding Review; Nov l988, pp l9 – 22.)