What are the benefits of breast milk?
Breast milk is unique and is the ideal food for the baby. It fosters proper growth to the newborn. The composition of human breast milk among others includes nutrition, growth factors, hormones, enzymes, blood cells that fight infections and immune-protective factors. The lactation is robust and mother’s breast milk is adequate in essential nutrients, even when her own nutrition is inadequate. Mature breast milk usually has constant levels of about 7g/dL carbohydrate and about 0.9g/dL proteins. But the composition of fats essential for neonatal growth, brain development, and retinal function varies according to a woman’s intake, the length of gestation, and the period of lactation. Vitamins and minerals also vary according to maternal intake. However, even when these nutrients are lower in breast milk than in formulas, their higher bioactivity and bioavailability nearly meet the complete needs of neonates than provided by even the best infant formulas. Also, in many instances human mil
