Many people have probably heard that “breast milk” is the best food for newborns up to the first 6 months. But have you ever wondered how beneficial breast milk is, whether it contains enough nutrients to meet your baby’s needs, and if the food the mother eats affects the breast milk? Today, Phyathai Explain has the answers.
Is it true that blood in the chest is refined into “breast milk”?
The answer is “No, it’s not true”. Medical information shows that breast milk does not contain any blood components. Breast milk is not distilled from blood but is produced by mammary glands, which resemble large sweat glands clustered and connected inside the breast. These glands extract nutrients, proteins, and sugars from the blood as part of the production process. Simply put, breast milk is not made from blood, but blood plays a role in the milk production process.
What are the components in each ml. of breast milk?
- Immunity: Especially the first milk after birth called “colostrum.” This milk contains a high amount of immune substances that help protect and reduce the risk of infection in newborns. It contains white blood cells at 2,000-3,000 cells/ml and lysozyme, an enzyme that can destroy bacterial cell walls, killing bacteria, at levels 5,000 times higher than other milk. This is one reason why breast milk is often compared to a baby’s first vaccine.
- Protein: Breast milk contains more than 1,000 types of proteins, over 60% of which are called “whey protein”. Whey protein is easily digested and absorbed, helps build muscles, and effectively prevents infections.
- Sugar: Breast milk contains more than 200 types of complex sugars called oligosaccharides, which act as prebiotics in the baby’s intestines. They also help prevent infections from entering the bloodstream and reduce the risk of brain inflammation.
- Fat: Breast milk contains about 4 grams of fat per 100 milliliters. It is an important energy source for the baby. Most fatty acids in breast milk are long-chain unsaturated fatty acids, which help brain development, aid vitamin absorption, and stimulate the body’s metabolism to function properly.
- Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins B, C, A, and E can all be found in breast milk, but the amount depends on the mother’s vitamin intake. Therefore, breastfeeding mothers should eat a varied diet covering all 5 food groups. Additionally, breast milk contains iron and calcium sufficient for newborns up to 6 months old. Although the amounts may not be large, they are absorbed better.
Breast size doesn’t matter; the amount of milk has its reasons…
The amount of milk produced does not depend on breast size. What affects milk volume are the hormones “prolactin” and “oxytocin”, which are released in large amounts when the baby suckles. These hormones stimulate milk production in the mammary glands and cause muscle cells around the glands to contract, allowing milk to be ejected. These two hormones are closely linked to the mother’s sensory and emotional state. This is why when a mother is stressed, unwell, in pain, or anxious, milk production decreases.
About food and breast milk
Information from the Breast Milk Center Foundation confirms that breastfeeding mothers should receive sufficient, varied, and balanced nutrition covering all 5 food groups. Although insufficient nutrition does not significantly affect the baby because the mother’s body always selects the best nutrients to pass through the milk, the mother’s body will be affected. Therefore, if a mother wants to control her weight, she should choose nutritious foods instead of starving herself.