Contents:
- Medical Video: Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mother - Manipal Hospital
- The nutritional content of breast milk can vary every time
- The nutritional content of breast milk is beneficial for baby's growth
- Protein
- Carbohydrate
- Fat
- Carnitine
- Vitamin
Medical Video: Benefits Of Breastfeeding For Mother - Manipal Hospital
Breast milk is the main food source for babies. Health experts agree that breastfeeding is the best method of feeding for newborns. Research even shows that babies exclusively breastfed have more optimal brain cognitive functions. That's because there are so many nutrients in it that can benefit your baby's growth. So, what are the nutrients in breast milk?
The nutritional content of breast milk can vary every time
The nutritional content of breast milk can be different throughout the breastfeeding period. For example, at the beginning of breastfeeding, breast milk will contain the most amino acid proteins in the form of colostrum.
Over time, the content of ASI will be made more of fat and sugar to maintain the energy source for the baby.
Well, towards the end of breastfeeding, or weaning period, breast milk will contain more fat and protein.
The nutritional content of breast milk is beneficial for baby's growth
Nearly 90% of the composition of breast milk is made of water. The rest are various important nutrients, such as:
Protein
Just like other milk, breast milk is a high source of protein. However, the quality of ASI protein is much higher than cow's milk because it contains more complete amino acids. Amino acid protein helps develop and ripen baby's brain tissue.
The protein content of breast milk is most commonly found during the early stages of breastfeeding, in the form of the first ASI colostrum.
Carbohydrate
Breast milk is high in carbohydrates and lactose sugar which functions as an energy source for children's brain growth.
The levels are also different compared to lactose sugar in cow's milk or regular formula milk. Levels of lactose in breast milk are two times more than milk that is not ASI.
The carbohydrate content of breast milk is not so much in the early days of breastfeeding, but will increase naturallyafter a few weeks you give birth. The rest, the carbohydrate content in breast milk will be stable during lactation.
Fat
The fat contained in breast milk is a kind of good fat, including omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are good for developing baby's brain. In fact, the fat content in breast milk is much higher than formula milk.
Carnitine
Carnitine is one of the nutrients of breast milk which is important for building the immune system and forming energy for the baby's body.
Carnitine is most commonly found in the first 3 weeks of breastfeeding.That is why the early days of breastfeeding are important and if possible, cannot be missed.
Vitamin
Breast milk contains a myriad of vitamins that are important for babies.
Such asvitamin K which regulates the blood clotting system;vitamin D which functions to build the strength of the baby's bones and teeth;vitamin E which helps the formation of red blood cells; andvitamin A to maintain eye health, the development of cell division, to maximize the baby's immunity.
