Table of Contents
Proud is the woman who delivers a baby. But she starts to worry about her baby’s nutrition and overall well-being. Hence, new mothers are required to know more about their breast milk and its importance for the baby. She needs to know the most appropriate latching techniques as well as identify the best available foods to enhance breast milk quality. Breast milk is considered to be the very first food that is digested by the baby. It is also stated to be the only nutrition source available to them. You may perhaps want to know if your breast milk is nutritious enough to meet your baby’s needs or not. Visit here for Breast Milk Test.
Key components involving breast milk
Breast milk during the initial stages of birth is derived in small amounts. But it is filled with macronutrients (immune protective factors) and micronutrients (developmental factors). Such ‘first milk’ is referred to as ‘colostrum’. The mother’s milk is said to come in after three days of delivering the baby. Subsequently, the quantity and composition increase to suit the specific growing needs of the baby.
Breast milk’s nutritional components are performed within the milk-producing breast cells. They are sourced entirely from mother’s diet or maternal fat stores.
What to know about Macro & Micronutrients present in breast milk?
Macronutrients found in breast milk are composed of fat, protein and carbohydrates. Proteins present are casein, secretory immunoglobulin IgA, lactoferrin including other proteins. Lactose and oligosaccharides are the major carbohydrate aspects present in breast milk. Fat present is highly variable macronutrient.
Micronutrients present in breast milk comprise of vitamins like Vitamin B12, D, iodine, and minerals. Micronutrients are comprised of different types of bioactive factors like hormones, growth factors and antibodies. Also are present anti-infective factors crucial to protect the baby from infections and inflammations.
It is from maternal fat reserves and the mother’s diet that the nutritional components are derived. Therefore, the lactating mother’s diet tends to play a significant role to enhance milk quality.
Brain & Breast milk development
According to the medical experts, breast milk comprises of fats crucial for the overall well-being of the baby. Fat content present is considered to be the primary calorie sources, essential for fat-soluble vitamin absorption in the baby. Breast milk has Omega-3 fatty acid that is long-chain polyunsaturated, referred to as DHA. This component is vital to help develop the baby’s nervous system, brain and retina. DHA comprises of 97% of Omega 3 fatty acid present in the brain including 25% of total fat content in the brain.
The DHA amount in breast milk is dependent directly on the mother’s diet. On consuming more amount of Omega 3 long-chain fatty acid (DHA), higher fat proportion is noticed in breast milk.
Immunity & Breast Milk
The baby has a weak immune system at birth. Breast milk’s micronutrient components are comprised of anti-infective and bioactive factors including iodine, minerals and vitamins. Bioactive factors comprise of antibodies, thereby enhancing the baby’s immunity. In case, the lactating mother, for example develops infections, she is likely to generate antibodies to fight this infection. It is likely to be passed on to the baby also. Breast milk contains anti-infective factors, thereby having living cells in large numbers including stem cells and white blood cells. They can heal inflammation as well as prevent infections. Secretory immunoglobulin IgA antibody is considered to be another important anti-infective factor. Breast milk contains it in abundance. This combined with anti-infective breast milk proteins like lactoferrin, and lysozyme helps protect the baby from various types of infections while boosting immunity.
Is it possible to test breast milk for calories?
You may perhaps fret about your milk quality and often wonder if it can be tested. Modern science has made it possible for new mothers to test breast milk for calories and content both. Since you are now aware of DHA importance in breast milk, its presence does make a significant difference to \the overall development of your baby’s brain and health. You should consult the medical professional to undertake this test that is completely safe and will provide you with the desired results.
Tips to improve breast milk’s nutritive value
The nutritional components of breast milk are derived mostly from the mother’s diet. Hence, with some changes introduced to the diet, it is possible to increase breast milk nutritive value. Carrying out breast milk test will help derive a better image of the DHA content present. This will allow the medical professional to chalk out an appropriate diet plan filled with Omega-3 fatty acids. You should generally include foods like pastured eggs, seafood and dairy products in your diet to derive Omega-3 fatty acids in good amounts. You may also consult your medical professional to know if you are eligible to take DHA supplements. Follow the adjusted diet plan for a month and get retested to know if you are deriving the desired results or not.