What’s in Breast Milk that Makes it the Perfect Food for Your Infant?
As pediatricians, one of the most frequent topics we discuss with new parents is infant nutrition. And while formula has come a long way, there’s simply no substitute for human milk. It’s a living, dynamic substance, perfectly tailored by nature to meet your baby’s unique and ever-changing needs.
As pediatricians, we normally steer parents away from foods with lengthy ingredient lists. However, breast milk is one food item with a long list of “ingredients” we wholeheartedly support. This blog highlights what’s in this “liquid gold,” that makes it the ultimate nourishment for your little one.
The Power-Packed Ingredients of Human Milk
Human milk isn’t just milk; it’s a complex biological fluid teeming with an astonishing array of “ingredients” that are vital to your baby’s growth, development, and protection.
- Water: Comprising about 88% of human milk, water keeps your baby hydrated. You might be surprised to learn that even in hot climates, ahem summer in NC, breastfed babies generally don’t need additional water.
- Fats: Fats are your baby’s main source of energy and are critical for brain development. Human milk fats are highly digestible and rich in essential fatty acids like DHA and ARA, both of which are vital for neurological and visual development. The fat content even changes throughout a feeding and over the course of the day to meet the baby’s needs! The body is pretty amazing, huh?
- Carbohydrates: Lactose is the main carbohydrate in human milk, which provides babies with energy and helps their body absorb calcium and other important minerals to help them grow. Beyond lactose, human milk boasts an incredible concentration of Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMOs) which is a unique sugar only found in human milk that supports the intestinal flora of your baby’s gut. A healthy gut helps fight against illness.
- Proteins: Human milk contains a delicate balance of proteins, including whey and casein. These proteins are easily digestible and provide essential amino acids for growth. Beyond basic building blocks, human milk proteins include:
- Lactoferrin: An iron-binding protein with antimicrobial properties, helping to protect against infections.
- Secretory IgA (sIgA): A powerful antibody that coats the baby’s immature gut, preventing pathogens from attaching and causing illness.
- Lysozyme: An enzyme that helps break down bacterial cell walls.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Human milk provides the right amounts of most vitamins and minerals your baby needs, including vitamins A, C, E, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and zinc. The amount of vitamins and minerals in human milk can vary based on the diet you are eating, so be sure to eat well to ensure your milk is chock full of those your baby needs.
- Living Cells: This is where human milk truly shines compared to formula. Human milk contains live cells, including:
- White Blood Cells (Leukocytes): These immune cells protect your baby from infections and inflammation.
- Stem Cells: While their exact role is still being researched, these remarkable cells are thought to contribute to the development and repair of the baby’s organs.
- Hormones and Growth Factors: Human milk is rich in a wide array of hormones (like prolactin, cortisol, and thyroid hormones) and growth factors that play crucial roles in organ development, metabolism, and even the regulation of sleep and wake cycles.
- Enzymes: These facilitate digestion and help your baby absorb nutrients more efficiently.
- Antibodies: Beyond sIgA (listed above under proteins), human milk delivers a personalized dose of antibodies to protect the baby against illnesses mom has previously encountered. This provides passive immunity to babies.
As alluded to earlier, human milk changes. The composition of milk adjusts to your baby’s age, time of day, and even their specific health needs. A premature baby’s mother will produce milk with a different nutritional profile than a mother of a full-term infant. (mind blown!) It provides exactly what the baby needs to develop, grow, and fight illness, not to mention the mother-baby bond that is strengthened through the physical touch that occurs while breastfeeding.
At Rainbow Pediatrics, we are strong advocates for breastfeeding whenever possible. We understand that every family’s journey is unique, and we are here to provide comprehensive support, resources, and guidance for all your infant feeding choices.
Lactation consulting is available with Kathrynn Hoemann, DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC-CLC at our Robeson (Fayetteville) location. If you have any questions about breastfeeding, need latch and positioning support, milk supply evaluation, or pumping guidance, please schedule an appointment with her.
For more information on breastfeeding, check out these blogs we’ve written:
Five Breastfeeding Challenges You Can Conquer
Five Breastfeeding Tips Every New and Expecting Mom Should Know
