What is in breast milk?

Breast milk contains about 88% water, the rest of the milk consist of macro-nutrients, micro-nutrients, hormones, growth factors, microbiome and micro-RNA’s.

Macro-nutrients
Protein, carbohydrates and fat are the macro-nutrients found in breast milk. Mature milk contains proteins called whey (60% of breast milk) and casein (40% of breast milk). The casein in breast milk is easier digested by the infant than the casein in formula milk and helps with the absorption of calcium from the gastro-intestinal tract. The whey protein provides essential amino-acids for your baby’s brain to develop and the little body to grow.

Lactose, a milk sugar, is the main carbohydrate found in breast milk. Lactose is a source of energy and helps with the development and functioning of the brain. Human Milk Oligosaccharies (HMO’s) is the second most abundant carbohydrate in breast milk. HMO’s act as prebiotics and helps with the growth of good bacteria in your baby’s gut. They also give energy to the cells in the gut and helps with the production of short chain fatty acids to keep the gut healthy while enhancing the absorption of minerals from the digestive tract.

Fat is a very important energy source for a baby and it provides up to 50% of the total energy of breast milk. The fat in breast milk are made up of saturated fat as well as the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA. The fat in breast milk plays a key role in the development of your baby’s central nervous system, the eyes as well as the immune system. Vegetarian mothers usually have low levels of DHA in their milk and are encouraged to take a DHA supplement.

Micro-nutrients
Breast milk contains fat-soluble vitamins, water-soluble vitamins as well as minerals. Colostrum produced during the first 5 days after labour have higher amounts of iron, selenium and zinc which are known to boost the immune system. It also contains more sodium and potassium which gradually decreases as the milk matures.

Hormones and growth factors
Human breast milk contains many different hormones and growth factors. These have an important role to play in the infant’s digestive tract, vascular system, nervous system and endocrine system.

Microbiome and Micro-RNA’s
Human breastmilk is abundant in different microbiome and Micro-RNA’s. Microbiome hep to establish “good and friendly” bacteria in the infant’s digestive tract which play an important role in the infant’s immune system and the metabolism of the body cells. Micro-RNA’s helps with the development and metabolism of body cells and tissues and also gives immuno -protection to the growing infant.

What are the advantages of human breast milk for a baby?

• Human breast milk contains the perfect ratio of nutrients for infants to grow.
• It helps to develop a healthy gut microbiome
• Breast milk helps infants to build a strong immune system and protects them against infections such as respiratory tract infections, ear infections, urinary tract infections, diarrhoea and neonatal septisemia.
• Human breast milk increases an infant’s brain function and IQ core
• Breast milk reduces the risk of lifestyle diseases such as obesity, heart disease and type 2 diabetes in childhood and later in adulthood.
• It reduces the risk of allergies and allergic dermatitis
• It helps to protect premature infants against necrotizing enterocolitis, a condition where the intestines become inflames and dies.
• Breast milk is always “ready to go” and the exact correct temperature for your baby.

What are the advantages of breast feeding for the mother?

• Breast feeding helps the mom to enjoy good physical and emotional health after the birth of the baby.
• It helps mother’s uterus contract and turn back to its original size.
• Breast feeding is known to reduce bleeding, infection, postpartum depression. stress and anxiety.
• It can also help to reduce the risk of breast, ovarian and endometrium cancer.
• Breast feeding also reduces the risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer’s disease.
• Breast feeding creates a special bond between mother and baby.
• Breast feeding is cost effective!