ALABAMA A&M and AUBURN UNIVERSITIES

EXERCISING AFTER CHILDBIRTH DOESN'T UNDERMINE BREAST FEEDING

Auburn, March 19---There's a common perception that new mothers who exercise too strenuously may produce sour breast milk that may be rejected by their newborns.  Some researchers believe a buildup of lactic acid may sour breast milk.

In fact, concerns about the buildup of lactic acid in breast milk after exercise is the subject of a current study by the University of New Hampshire.  But Alabama Cooperative Extension System Nutritionist Dr. Bob Keith says the  too much lactic acid, but with only moderate exercise, this won't be a problem."

Much of the talk about lactic acid is "purely speculative" Keith says, adding many nutritionists doubt infants would reject lactic acid.

The most highly quoted study exploring breast milk's lactic acid effect on babies was conducted with babies bottle fed breast milk.

"My guess is the babies rejected the milk because it was fed through a bottle Keith says.  "There's really no strong evidence babies would reject the milk if it contains high levels of lactic acid."

There's also the issue of diet to consider. Mothers eat a wide variety of foods, all of which are likely to affect the taste of the milk. Chemicals get into the milk from the mother's diet and this changes constantly depending on what's eaten. There are so many factors to consider besides lactic acid. There are probably going to be times the baby likes the taste and times he/she doesn't.  That's really not unusual.

Virtually all researchers, including Keith, concede moderate exercise is healthy for mother and baby alike.

I don't think the lactic acid is going to be a problem even in the short-term after exercise, Keith says.  If the baby's hungry enough, it's unlikely even lactic acid will prevent feeding.

Whatever the case, most experts, including Keith, say breast feeding is far superior to bottle feeding, and concerns about lactic acid shouldn't be an excuse for athletic women to forego the practice.

SOURCE:  DR. BOB KEITH, Extension nutritionist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System (334) 844-3273.