Natural, full of nutrients, and rich in life-sustaining ingredients, breast milk is the elixir that helps newborns grow fast and strong.
Scientists have failed to recreate breast milk despite extensive research; nothing quire compares to it, lab-made or otherwise.
But do you know what’s inside this miracle concoction that is produced in every mother’s body?
Breast milk is made up of around water, carbohydrates, proteins, and fats 3% to 5% fats. It also contains vitamins, minerals, pre- and probiotics, as well as antibodies.
And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.
Here’s why breast milk is so nutritious.
Ingredients of Breast Milk
Water
Breast milk contains about 87% water which provides a hundred percent of a newborn’s hydration requirement.
A liquid diet of breast milk also makes it easier for babies, who do not yet have developed teeth, to get the nutrition they need.
This is why it’s so important for mothers to stay hydrated as much as they can while nursing to ensure their breast milk contains sufficient water.
Carbohydrates
Breast milk contains around 6.9% to 7.2% of carbohydrates, which is the main source of energy used by the human body.
The majority of the carb content in breast milk is lactose (or milk sugar) with trace amounts of glucose and fructose.
Babies need lots of energy to grow, and the carbohydrates in breast milk helps supply that energy.
Protein
Breast milk contains about 0.8% to 0.9% of protein. These consist mainly of whey which is a rich source of essential amino acids.
Whey is a rich source of protein, and is considered a ‘complete protein’ having all nine essential amino acids the body needs to build and repair itself.
Babies need protein the same way adults do, as building blocks for cells and tissues. This includes muscle, bone, organs, tissues, nerves.
Protein is also important for the production of enzymes and hormones which support various metabolic processes.
Fats
Breast milk contains healthy level of fats, mainly lipids (triglycerides, DHA, cholesterol) which act as a secondary source of calories for a baby aside from carbs.
Just like proteins (and to a lesser extent, carbs) fats are used as building blocks by the body.
Your brain, eyes, heart and nerves, for instance, are made up primarily of fatty acids.
Fats are also important for the absorption of various vitamins, acting as insulation and padding for the baby’s organs, and regulating their appetite.
Vitamins and Minerals
Full of essential micronutrients, breast milk contains both vitamins and minerals to support a newborn’s growth and development.
Breast milk contains vitamins A, D, E, D, K, C, B6, and folate, among other things.
They are responsible for the inner workings of the body at the cellular level, from the conversion of food molecules to usable energy to maintaining the electroconductivity of the nervous system.
Minerals present in breast milk, like sodium and magnesium, are electrolytes that help boost hydration.
While selenium, iron, zinc, and calcium help with digestion, blood clotting, wound healing, blood pressure and many more.
Synbiotics
The role of breast milk in establishing a newborn’s gut health cannot be understated.
Chock full of both prebiotics and probiotics, breast milk helps introduce beneficial bacteria along with the nutrients they need to thrive in the baby’s developing intestinal environment.
The main prebiotic in breast milk is a type of indigestible oligosaccharides. While not nutritious on its own, oligosaccharides act as fertiliser for our gut microbiome.
A healthy gut is crucial in promoting appetite regulation and strengthening the immune system.
Antibodies
A newborn’s immune system is extremely weak during the first few months of life.
They are susceptible to all sorts of viral and bacterial attacks like influenza and the common cold which adults get all the time.
Thankfully, breast milk acts as a sort of first ‘vaccine’, providing temporary protection by way of immunoglobulins (or IgA).
Immunoglobulins are the main antibodies found in breast milk.
Antibodies are the ‘warriors’ of our immune system, helping to detect, weaken and kill any pathogens that dare invade our bodies.
Enzymes
Babies are not able to process certain nutrients as easily as adults.
After all, their digestive organs, like their pancreas and liver, are still developing and may not be able to produce adequate enzymes to break down the nutrients they require to grow.
This is where the enzymes in breast milk comes in.
They aid in the digestion of various nutrients such as proteins, carbs and fats.
Another enzyme called lysozyme, while not involved in digestion, helps support the baby’s immune system as well as prevent infections.
Hormones
Hormones are responsible for hundreds of biological and metabolic processes that keep the body functioning.
While the purpose and properties of hormones found in breast milk are inconclusive, they may be responsible in supporting infant growth and development.
Some of the hormones that scientists have found in human breast milk include leptin, adiponectin, ghrelin, insulin, obestatin, resistin and apelin
Each of these hormones may play some small role in metabolism, blood pressure, appetite regulation, stress responses, growth cycles and many more.
Mother’s Milk: The Elixir of life
Truly a potent ‘nectar’ for newborns, breast milk has everything a growing baby needs and more.
Not only is it nutritious, but it is also protective, helping support and strengthen the immune system against hundreds of pathogens that may harm your newborn.
The secret ingredients of mother’s milk ensure both superior nutrition for growth and development, as well as optimal health.
A wonder of nature that can never be compared.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Mamahood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
For more insightful stories and parenting advice, stay tuned to Mamahood Singapore!