Breast Milk

Why is Breast Milk so Nutritious?

Have you ever heard about the ship of hope? If not, you are highly recommended to read my posts because they talk about such interesting real life stories along with the required health information.

Like these unique lives saving boats breast milk is amazingly intricate and it is the primary source of nutrition for the newborns. Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients, antibodies and other factors to promote the growth and development of the newborn. The World Health Organization says that breast milk meets the psychological requirements of the baby and should never be substituted and recommends exclusive breast milk for the first six months of life.

According to Infant Nutrition Council there are different stages in the production of breast milk.

1.   The first milk produced from day 1-7 is called colostrum. It contains high amounts of protein, less amount of fat and various immunizing factors for the baby.

2.   Then there is a period of transitional milk from 8-20 days of birth

3.   Finally the mature milk from 20 days after birth.

4.   The fore milk is produced during the beginning of the feed where it is watery and quenches the baby’s thirst.

5.   The hind milk is creamier and contains proteins, carbohydrates and minerals.

Breast milk also contains antimicrobial factors, digestive enzymes, hormones and growth factors. It contains leukocytes living cells that help to fight infection. The benefits of breast milk are many and I have discussed the major ones. It lowers the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, increases the IQ of the baby, and decreases the likelihood of middle ear infections, cold and flu.

Spanish researchers have found a large microbial diversity of more than 700 species in breast milk which is called as microbiome. If the mother is heavier the bacteria was fewer in number. The presence of the microbiome in breast milk promotes the health of the child. The baby’s microbiome continues to grow during breast feeding. The secret for stressing the importance of breast feeding is that higher the number of the good bacteria that thrive the harder it makes for the harmful ones to get foothold.

A research study found a higher number of cancers fighting TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligands (TRIAL) in breast milk. This sums for the anticancer activity of the breast milk. No such factors were detected in formula milk. The above stresses the fact loud and clear in our heads that breastfeeding helps to prevent certain childhood cancers.

Scientists have found that breast milk induces genetic pathways. The breast milk contains immune protective components which lower the risk of all kinds of illnesses in a breast fed baby. The bio active compounds present in the milk regulate the development of the intestine. Breast milk promotes the link between the immune system and microbe population in the gut and maintains the stability of the baby’s intestine.

It is best to breast feed your baby exclusively for six months and then introduce solids gradually. The WHO advises to continue breast milk up to two years along with other healthy foods. Breast milk is such a precious gift of nature that each newborn baby has to enjoy. For those women who are not able to breast feed for some reason or the other breast feed milk banks or donor milk may be a wise alternative.

What is in breast milk that makes it so nutritious? 

There is no doubt that the nutritional content of human breast milk is ideally suited to babies. It has evolved over tens of thousands of years and contains well over 300 known ingredients to ensure that every nutrient necessary for babies is present and in the right proportions and quantities. But it is not as straightforward as that - not only are these nutrients present in the right proportions and quantities, but those proportions change depending on the age of the baby.

The First Stage of Milk Production.

Immediately after the baby is born, the mother’s milk is rather thin-looking and contains very high concentrations of Essential Fatty Acids (EFA’s) needed for the growth, brain development and bile-salt production of the new-born baby. This first milk is called 'colostrum' and it plays a vital role in establishing a healthy digestive system in the baby. Colostrum is only produced for the first few days and normally by the end of the first week mothers are producing transitional milk.

The Second Stage of Milk Production.

Transitional milk is still rich in EFA’s, but has less than are found in colostrum. Overall fat content is also slightly down, with corresponding increases in lactose and protein. This milk is generally produced for the first six months of the baby’s life, although this can be longer if the infant was born prematurely. This milk provides everything that the growing baby needs during the first six months of life - there is no need to supplement with anything else during this period.

The Third Stage of Milk Production.

The third stage of milk production is called mature milk and this is generally produced from six months onwards. It is during this stage that mothers should start to introduce other foods to start the process of weaning. Most authorities agree that infants should be breast-fed until at least the age of 12 months, and up to 24 months if possible. During this period, the range and frequency of other foods should be gradually increased so that the weaning process is carried out smoothly and without trauma. Each of these three stages ensures that the exact needs of the developing infant are met and that nutritional health is optimised.

The benefits of breast feeding for your baby 

• Provides Essential Fatty Acids, Proteins and many other nutrient

• Offers strong baby immunity - Macrophages (cells that destroy bacteria, viruses and fungi) can help with common diseases like pneumonia, botulism, bronchitis, staphylococcal infections, influenza, urinary tract infections and ear infections

• Breast Milk is always sterile and never contains the bacteria that may cause diarrhoea in bottle-fed infants.

• Protects against allergies. The antibodies in breast milk work to form a protective coating on the inside of a baby’s intestines, protecting them from potential allergens. Babies are never allergic to their own mother’s milk. They may react to some of the foods that she eats - common examples are cow’s milk and Brussels sprouts - but if the mother eliminates the problem food from her diet, the symptoms in the baby soon go away

• Creates strong physical growth through the act of suckling by exercising the baby's jaws and facial muscles and encouraging the growth of straight, healthy teeth

• Establishes a close bond between mother and baby. This is further developed when there is skin to skin contact during feeding. This, together with the feelings of warmth and security that come from being cuddled help to establish an early psychological balance in the infant, usually resulting in a more placid temperament. Interestingly, at birth a baby can only focus on things between 12 and 18 inches away - precisely the distance between the mother’s face and the infant’s eyes during breast feeding.

• Convenient and economical. No bottles to sterilise, no kettles to boil, no formula to buy, measure and mix. Breast milk is always at the right temperature and sterile.

• Helps regain your pre-pregnancy weight and figure. In order to produce milk the body uses a lot of calories and fat and this can speed up the loss of any excess accumulated during pregnancy. Also, the action of the baby suckling stimulates contractions of the uterus, helping it to return to its normal size.

• Breast feeding forces you to relax. It really isn’t practical to feed whilst on the move. Sitting down and resting every few hours will speed up your recovery from childbirth. Even in the middle of the night, it is so much easier to breast feed than to give a bottle - you can even doze off during feeding if you are lying down.

The best treatment for sore nipples is prevention. Frequent feeding does not cause sore nipples. A baby who doesn’t latch on well or is attached incorrectly at the breast is more likely to be the cause.

It is important for you to get expert help from a breastfeeding counsellor or infant feeding specialist to sort out your baby’s latching on technique if you feel you need some guidance.

Babies learn to suck properly by getting milk from the breast when they are latched on correctly.

Nipple soreness will usually ease up after the first few sucks once you are relaxed and your baby is latched on correctly especially after the milk settles down and flows freely. Remember that your nipples are a very sensitive part of your body, and are not used to having stress put on them.

If your nipples do become sore, Green People recommends 100% gentle and organic Mum & Baby Rescue Balm, which contains Shea Butter, Hemp and Calendula. The balm soothes and moisturises sore or cracked nipples and can be used safely whilst continuing to breast feed your baby.