The importance of breast milk and its benefits for the baby

It is well known that breast milk is far more complex than any other milk. It contains all the components, nutrients and non-nutrients that your baby needs. It is the natural food for the infant and the most valuable thing you can give them.

That is why the midwives at Happymami have prepared this special post for you. The importance of breast milk.

Breast milk

Breast milk is considered the most complete food. It contains hundreds of components with nutritional, growth-modulating, digestive, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial functions, and it is essential for your baby's brain development.

What is more, it can be seen as the first vaccine your baby receives, because as a mum you are passing on defences against different illnesses.

Its composition is not stable, it is a living fluid. Breast milk varies from one woman to another, depending on the mother's age and nutritional status, depending on the age of the baby, it changes throughout the day, and also during the same feed.

The composition is not the same at the beginning of a feed as at the end, and it is often different from one breast to the other (the right breast generally produces more milk); in short, it is a changing liquid that adapts perfectly to the changing needs of your baby.

Because your baby does not need the same nutrients, or at least not the same proportion of them, at 15 days old as at 15 months, nor the same ones first thing in the morning as at night, nor at the beginning of a feed as at the end.

Properties of breast milk

1. Easier to digest. It is digested in 90 minutes, compared with the 3 hours that formula needs.
2. It encourages the early establishment of intestinal flora, helping to reduce septicaemia and necrotising enterocolitis.
3. It provides protection against pathogens, through factors that can be humoral and cellular.
4. It plays a part in the development of the central nervous system.
5. It has anti-inflammatory, sleep-regulating, satiating and relaxing functions. It also has protective anti-allergic properties, the most important being against cow's milk protein.
6. It contains fewer solutes, which reduces the renal load.

What is more, breast milk has multiple long-term benefits, such as the prevention of chronic diseases, cancer and allergies.

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Stages of breast milk

Antepartum

It begins to be secreted in the second stage of pregnancy, and it is also known as pre-colostrum.

Colostrum

It is the first milk produced after birth up to day 5-7, and it is essential for the physiological adaptation of your baby to life outside the womb. It is quite thick and has a characteristic yellow colour. It differs from mature milk both in its components and in their proportion.

During the first 3 days, between 2-20 ml are produced per feed, although this depends on how often feeds take place; in total, the intake is around 100 ml a day, and it is very important to know this so as never to tell a mother that she has too little milk.

This very small volume of milk is perfect for your baby to learn to coordinate the sucking-swallowing-breathing pattern.

Colostrum helps to establish the gut microbiota. Its high concentration of antibodies (immunoglobulins) also gives the newborn an immunity that can only be obtained in this way.

Transitional milk

It is produced between days 5-10 and up to day 14.

At this stage the protein concentration already begins to decrease. In contrast, lactose, lipids and water-soluble vitamins increase, raising the total calorie value. The daily production volume already rises to around 500 ml a day.

Mature milk

It starts from the second week. With a higher calorie value, around 75 kcal, as it contains more lipids and carbohydrates. And a rise in milk volume, generally between 700-800 ml a day, although this varies a great deal depending on demand.

Components of breast milk

Breast milk could be the most complete food, with nutritional and non-nutritional elements.

Water: It is the most abundant component, accounting for 88% of mature milk. Breastfeeding mothers must ensure a good intake of fluids to maintain a correct production of milk; in fact, they feel thirsty while breastfeeding and should quench that thirst.

Carbohydrates: A source of energy, it is one of the most abundant elements, around 7%, and the most abundant of them all is lactose, essential for the development of the central nervous system and the establishment of the gut microbiota. They also encourage the early and proper establishment of your baby's intestinal flora.

Lipids: Their main function is nutritional, as they are the component that provides most of the energy in milk, around 50% of the calories, and the second most abundant component.

What is more, it is the component that varies the most in breast milk. At the end of a feed the amount of lipids increases, contributing to your baby's feeling of fullness; therefore, mothers who breastfed for 10 minutes, which was what used to be recommended, deprived their babies of this essential component, and the same happens when we set schedules for feeds instead of doing it on demand: the composition of the milk is no longer the same.

Protein: More than 1000 different proteins have been found, and they have the ability to form small micelles, which makes them very easy to digest. They are essential at the beginning of your baby's life to cover the high needs they have.

It improves defences and prevents muscle catabolism. It has antioxidant properties and contributes to the development and stability of membranes. It also contains tryptophan, which regulates your baby's sleep and behaviour.

Minerals and trace elements: Breast milk provides your baby with all the trace elements they need. It is lower in solutes, causing less renal work.

What is more, low sodium and high potassium levels are beneficial and protect them against future hypertension. Its iron content is also absorbed better, thanks to its greater bioavailability.

Vitamins: Breast milk is a good source of vitamins A, D, E, K, C and B. It has antioxidant properties, helps to strengthen the immune system and is essential for the formation of red blood cells.

Hormones: In breast milk we find different hormones, such as insulin, cortisol, prostaglandins, thyroid hormones, relaxin... they influence the digestive tract, increase intestinal motility, regulate appetite and fullness, and reduce the stress of childbirth.

Cellular components: Breast milk also contains macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils and epithelial cells. They engulf and destroy bacteria such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enteritis and Candida albicans.

Conclusion: the importance of breast milk

The importance of breast milk is already relevant in itself, but as we always tell you, every case is different, and if you decide to offer breast milk to your baby, perfect! You will be offering them possibly the most complete food in the world.

Enjoy every moment of your breastfeeding journey!