Importance Of Breast Milk

By: on June 24th, 2016 in Diet & Nutrition, Healthy Lifestyle

Importance of Breast Milk

Nutrition during infancy (0 – 12 months) is the most crucial feeding period as the nutritional demands of an infant is double that of adult. A new born has to double his weight by end of two months and triple his weight by end of 12 months.

To meet such high demands in nutrition, what should be fed to the new born? The only answer is Exclusive Breast Feeding for the first 6 months of life. Exclusive breast feeding does not include water also. If the infant is hungry give him breast milk. If the infant is thirsty, then also give him breast milk only. No external water is required for the infant.All the nutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and water) required by the infant is completely provided in adequate quantity, temperature and in the most hygienic way by the mother’s milk. Breast milk is easily digested and has increased bioavailability of nutrients.

Let’s go into detail explanation on Importance of Breast Milk

Breast Milk occurs in three phases and benefits of each phase are given below.

Phase 1 – Colostrum

This is the first milk that is secreted for the first 3 days soon after delivery. It is thick and yellow in colour.

  • Rich in protein
    • Contains 3 times the amount of protein present in mature milk and all Essential Amino Acids
  • Less lactose and fat than mature milk
  • More minerals especially zinc
  • Immunoglobulins that represent the antibodies in maternal blood
  • Contains interferon with strong antiviral activities
  • Contains B12 binding protein
  • Contains antibodies against viral diseases such as small pox, polio, measles and influenza
  • It is really like a oral vaccine for preventing infections

Hence, kindly initiate breast feeding soon after normal delivery and 30minutes after caesarean delivery. DO NOT WASTE COLOSTRUM.

Phase 2 – Transitional Milk – This milk is secreted only for a short while, say for few hours only. This milk is a transition between colostrums and mature milk.

Phase 3 – Mature Milk

Mature milk is secreted from day 4 onwards till 2 years. The nutritional importance of mature milk is listed below.

Carbohydrates

  • There is more lactose in breast milk
  • Lactose Lactase Galactose + Glucose
    • Glucose provide energy to the brain
    • Galactose is essential for the formation of myelin
  • Lactose enhances the absorption of Calcium & Magnesium
  • Lactose promotes the growth of lactobacilli which increase intestinal acidity, thus stemming the growth of pathogenic organisms

Proteins

  • Human Milk contains mainly lactalbumin & is whey dominant
  • Lactalbumin amino acid pattern ≈ body proteins
  • Provides more essential amino acids than cow’s milk
  • Lactalbumin forms a soft flocculent curd in the intestine for easy digestion.
  • Higher cystine to methionine
  • Plenty of taurine to develop CNS
  • Presence of protein splitting enzymes which helps in easy digestion of proteins.

Fats

  • Triglycerides are converted to Free Fatly Acids (FFA) by Lipase present in breast milk
    • FFA are preferred source of energy for the infant’s heart throughout the sucking period
  • Provides carnitine
  • Presence of medium chain fatty acids, n-6 & n-3 PUFA
  • Supplies 30g fat/day (10% linoleic acid)
  • Lipase becomes active only in infant’s intestine
  • Lipase digests Palmitic acid
  • Cholesterol helps in synthesis of myelin
  • Gradation of fat from foremilk to hind milk

Vitamins

  • More vitamin A, D and E than Cow’s milk
  • Colostrum contains vitamin K
  • All the B vitamins are present
  • 43mg/100ml of vitamin C is present
  • Heat liable thiamine and vitamin C are completely available to the baby from Human Milk

Minerals

  • Favorable Ca : P of 2 : 1 ; calcium content 28mg/100ml
  • Higher bioavailability of Iron – Lactoferrin
  • Meets mineral demands + lower solute load on kidneys

Other Advantages

  • Provides immunity
  • Builds up emotional bond between mother and child
  • Non-allergic
  • Lower risk of breast cancer
  • Enables mother to shed weight
  • Contracts the uterus
  • Most economical

BREAST MILK IS THE NATURE’S COMPLETE DIET FOR INFANTS

 

Uma Maheshwari PS

Dietitian, Happy Living Diet Clinic