When providing nourishment in the early years of your baby, nothing beats breast milk. It is the healthiest, safest, most appropriate, most economical, and the most cost-efficient way of providing good nutrition. But what really makes breast milk stand out among the nourishments that you may provide to your baby? Breast milk is made up of hundreds of substances including lactose, milk fat, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a real wonder of nature that is packed with goodness, nourishment, and sustenance. Breast milk is 87.5% water and the rest contains millions of different components of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals. Breast milk changes color during feeding and it also becomes thicker.
Breast milk gives complete nutrition and adapts to meet the baby’s needs. During feeding, your milk will change to hindmilk from foremilk. This hindmilk is thicker and darker in color which is produced towards the end of the breastfeeding session. While the foremilk is the first milk of a breastfeeding session. It is rich in carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins essential for your baby. It also keeps your baby hydrated because of its high-water content.
The Colostrum
Colostrum is a thick and sticky yellowish milk that is produced by the breast during the early feeding from around 20 weeks of pregnancy until the first few days after giving birth. It has the same composition as the latter milk; however, the amount of the nutrients is different as it is tailored to your baby’s needs. Colostrum is referred to as a natural vaccination because it has a high level of antibodies and white blood cells that will protect your baby from infections and diseases. It has a higher concentration of protein, vitamins A, E, and K, and minerals than matured breast milk.
Proteins
Human milk contains 2 types of protein; whey and casein. Whey contains 60% of protein while casein has 40%. This allows your baby to digest breast milk easily.
Fats
Mature breast milk is rich in fat that is needed by your baby to meet his high energy and caloric needs and for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins. Breast milk contains many essential fatty acids which are important to your baby’s health and development. The Milk Fat Globule Membranes (MFGMs) found in breastmilk is vital for the optimal development of the brain and immune system of your baby. The Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (LC-PUFAs) also found in breast milk provide a beneficial effect on the development of your baby’s brain, vision, and immune system.
Vitamins
Breast milk contains all the essential vitamins needed to support your baby’s development as they grow. However, some amounts and types of vitamins and minerals found in breast milk are related to the food consumed by the lactating mother.
Minerals
Breast milk contains calcium, iron, zinc, sodium, magnesium, chloride, and selenium. These minerals help build strong bones, promote proper muscle, nerve functions, and produce red blood cells.
Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates are the main energy source of the brain and the main carbohydrate in breast milk is lactose. Other carbohydrates found in human milk such as oligosaccharides help to promote healthy bacteria that protect your baby’s gut and they help to fight against diseases.
Breast milk is an excellent source of nutrients for babies. It has all the basic essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, and fats for their development. Remember that breast milk is not just ordinary food but it has a lot of nutritional value.
NOI Kimberly Tanador, RND
References:
Breastmilk composition: What’s in your breastmilk?
https://www.medela.com/breastfeeding/mums-journey/breast-milk-composition
Key Nutrients in Breastmilk: why are they so important
https://www.hero-nutrition-institute.com/en/key-nutrient-breast-milk
Breastmilk Nutrition
https://www.aptaclub.co.uk/baby/diet-and-nutrition/breastfeeding/guide-to-breastmilk-nutrition.html
Nutrients and calories in Breastmilk
https://parentingscience.com/calories-in-breast-milk/
