There is no denying that parenting has changed over time. Today's parents are more aware of what their babies require and more cautious about the decisions they make, even if our parents may have raised us using simpler techniques (and did a fantastic job).
 
Parenting techniques have advanced significantly, from choosing items free of toxins to avoiding added sweets for young children and even beginning their education at a young age.
 
Additionally, breastfeeding has changed to fit current lifestyles. Nowadays, a lot of mothers preserve milk in breast pumps so that their infants may continue to eat healthily even when they are not around. This has proved particularly beneficial for working mothers and frequent travelers, enabling them to manage work and parenting while still attending to the requirements of their infants. But is pumped milk just as good?
Pumped milk vs breastfed milk
While pumped and nursed milk have the same fundamental nutritional content, there are some minor variations, according to Dr. sandhya Rani, senior consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at aster women and Children Hospital in Bengaluru, who spoke to india Herald.
• Since several hormones are released throughout the process, direct breastfeeding helps the milk adjust to the baby's demands more easily. This helps to improve the milk's nutritional value and immune-boosting qualities in real time.
 
• Additionally, it has been shown that breastfeeding milk has fats distributed properly throughout the feeding session, a trait that pumped milk would find more difficult to replicate.
 
• When nursing isn't feasible, bottled or pumped breast milk might be a viable alternative because it still contains all the essential nutrients, lipids, and immunological components.
 
• However, storage may cause some nutrients to slowly deteriorate, particularly if the milk is kept in the freezer for longer than is advised.
 
Dr. Nirmala Chandrashekar, senior consultant in obstetrics and gynecology at Gleneagles BGS Hospital in Bengaluru, adds that keeping pumped milk in clean containers and refrigerated at the right temperatures is essential to maintaining its nutritious content.
 
"As long as these guidelines are followed, pumped milk retains the same nutrients—including proteins, fats, vitamins, and antibodies—as fresh breast milk," she states.
 
In the meanwhile, direct feeding is frequently seen as the best option as it permits skin-to-skin contact, which helps strengthen bonds and control a baby's body temperature, according to Dr. Apurva Gupta, consultant, obstetrics and gynecology, Daffodils by Artemis, Delhi. The infant's sucking response may also encourage the production of milk.
 
But for working moms or women with certain medical issues, pumped milk is a good substitute that provides flexibility and lets others assist with feeding the infant.
 
Understanding the pros and cons
Pumped Milk

• Pumping, cleaning, and storing milk requires additional time and specialised equipment, which can be challenging and costly for some parents.
• Pumped milk offers flexibility, allowing women to go back to work or take time for themselves while others feed the infant.
 
• This technique guarantees that the infant receives a precise quantity of milk.
 
• When direct feeding is not feasible, it is practical to save milk for later use, guaranteeing that milk is accessible.
 
• When the infant isn't nursing directly, the body can continue to produce milk by expressing it, which can help ease breast engorgement.
 
• However, with time, especially when frozen, some nutrients and immunological components may become less effective.
• Pumping doesn't always replicate a baby's feeding schedule, which over time may result in decreased nutritional value.
 
Breastfed Milk

• There are several nutritional advantages to direct feeding. Whether a baby is healthy or not, the natural content of breast milk adapts to suit their requirements.
 
The mother-child relationship is strengthened by nursing directly at the breast.
 
• Breastfeeding is widely accessible, doesn't require any preparation, and doesn't cost more.
 
• Babies who are exclusively breastfed are frequently less likely to suffer from illnesses including infections, obesity, allergies, and asthma.
 
• However, because nursing depends entirely on the mother, it can be taxing and limit movement.
 
• In order to avoid items that can aggravate the infant, the mother may also need to watch what she eats.
 
• Some moms may have pain, such breast engorgement or swollen nipples.
The right way to pump
According to Dr. sandhya Rani, using sterile, clean equipment and containers and washing your hands thoroughly are crucial for securely pumping and storing breast milk. Milk letdown can be facilitated by using the pump in a quiet, comfortable setting. Additionally, minimizing waste can be achieved by preserving milk in tiny quantities.
 
According to Dr. Nirmala Chandrashekar, the proper way to pump breast milk is to use an electric or mechanical pump that generates a vacuum and applies intermittent suction and release.
 
Before feeding, milk should be allowed to come to room temperature and labeled with the time and date of expression.
How to store:
• Room temperature (up to 77°F or 25°C): Freshly expressed milk can be stored for up to 4 hours.
• Refrigeration (at 40°F or 4°C): Milk can be refrigerated for up to 4 days.
• Freezer (0°F or -18°C or lower): frozen breast milk can be stored for 6–12 months, although it's best used within 6 months to retain nutrients.