Breast Milk Composition: What’s in your Breast Milk?

 

Many health organizations in the world consider human breast milk to be a perfect nutrition source. When a baby is born, a diet exclusively of breast milk is suggested for at least the first six months. But have you ever wondered what makes breast milk high in nutrition?

Well, the composition of breast milk makes it healthy and nutritious for infants. Here’s the detail of what’s included in the breast milk:

Macronutrient Composition

Breast milk majorly consists of carbohydrates, water, proteins and lips. Each nutrient plays a major role in contributing to the proper growth and development of an infant.

l       Carbohydrates: These are the energy source required for the brain. Milk sugar called lactose is the main carbohydrate in breast milk. In human milk, there’s more lactose compared to cow’s milk. Another carbohydrate in breast milk is oligosaccharides that encourage healthy bacteria in the infant’s intestine and help in combating infant diarrhoea. 

l      Water: Human breast milk consists of 90% water. All thanks to water, a proper hydration level is maintained in breast milk that further lubricates joints, regulates body temperature and protects organs. Breast milk alone can provide an infant’s body with water needed for a young baby’s survival. 

l      Proteins: Proteins help in strengthening, repairing and building the body’s tissue. They are also required to make enzymes, hormones and antibodies. With protein present in breast milk, babies can easily digest what they consume.

l      Lipids (Fats): Lipids make around 4% of breast milk. But these provide half of the calories that babies need. Meanwhile, lipids are the main source of cholesterol, energy and essential fatty acids like DHA. All these nutrients are essential for developing your baby’s vision, brain and nervous system.

Bioactive Components

There are various bioactive elements present in breast milk, such as:

l      Immunoglobulins (Antibodies): Immunoglobulins are the antibodies that help combat disease and illness. Due to natural immune substances, breast milk is known to be a baby’s first vaccine. The breast milk properties help in protecting the baby against ear infections, common cold, diarrhoea, vomiting and other infections.

l      Hormones: These are required in the body for improving metabolism, growth, development, pain responses, stress responses and blood pressure regulation. Hormones that produce milk include thyroid hormones, prolactin and growth factors. However, scientists are still finding out which hormones are further transferred in breast milk for impacting a baby’s health. 

l      Enzymes: There are various enzymes present in breast milk. Some are useful in digestion by breaking down proteins or fats. Meanwhile, others help in immune support.

Micronutrients Composition

Breast milk includes various micronutrients, including minerals and vitamins, to support infants.

l      Vitamins: Vitamins are useful in supporting healthy eyes, bones and skin in infants. These are essential to prevent diseases caused by malnutrition, such as rickets and scurvy. Breast milk contains all the necessary vitamins required for supporting the health of your baby. Nonetheless, the amount of folate, vitamin D or vitamin B6 in an infant’s body can be reduced if you follow some dietary restrictions. You must consult a paediatrician and doctor to known if there are some vitamin supplements you need during breastfeeding.

l      Minerals: Just like vitamins, breast milk even includes various minerals that are needed by your baby's body to become strong and healthy. These minerals include zinc, iron, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride and selenium. When growing, infants need minerals to produce RBCs, build strong bones and promote nerve and muscle function.

Conclusion

Breast milk is a great source of nutrition for babies. While there are various breast milk alternatives available in the market, these are not the same as natural breast milk. Therefore, new mothers need to breastfeed their babies. It is best to consult a paediatrician and doctor about how and when to provide breast milk to a baby. As long as you feed your baby adequately with breast milk, you must be at peace knowing that you’re providing your little one with proper nutrition.