Another common breastfeeding misconception:

"There is no reason a mother cannot pump to send with child."

Yes, that is a real comment that I recieved in regards to my "Lorenzo's Law" petition. There is so much to unpack with that one comment.

Feeding a baby expressed breast milk is NOT an exact substitute for feeding directly from the breast. That is because breastmilk is dynamic and it's created in real time for baby's nutritional needs.

First of all, there are many reasons why a mother may be unable to pump. See my previous information on mythbusting why lactating women aren't dairies and may struggle with pumping.

Further, "pumping can offer benefits that are similar, although not identical, to providing breast milk directly from the breast." What's that you say? Expressing milk is NOT the same is putting baby to breast! 

Breast milk is customized food for a baby based on feedback from the baby’s body. Letting a baby feed at the breast allows their saliva to interact with the milk. This interaction sends messages to the woman’s brain about what the baby needs.

According to a 2013 study, this interaction between the breastfeeding woman and the baby ensures the baby gets the nutrients required, as well as antibodies that can protect against infections. This is why moms get an overwhelming urge to kiss their little baby's face all the time - we are biologically hardwired to do so to "sample" their saliva so that our milk can adjust to the baby's specific needs - and we are not even consciously aware of that! The human body is amazing.

The breast milk also has specific components if the baby is premature and a mom's milk changes composition as her baby ages. The milk also changes according to the time of day and even during a given feeding. The nursing session that Lorenzo had before bed was not the same composition of milk that he'll have for breakfast tomorrow.

Pretty cool, huh? I make milk. What's YOUR super power?