We all know how important it is to eat a variety of foods from different food groups to get all the nutrients our bodies need. What if we were able to eat the exact same food every day and miraculously it changed based on our needs? That is precisely what breastmilk does.
Breastmilk Is a Dynamic, Living Food
Breastmilk cannot be replicated because it is a dynamic, living fluid that changes based on your baby’s age, the time of day, the season of the year and even how long your baby nurses. Your milk will even add protection from specific pathogens in the air. Many moms are surprised to learn that they can even produce milk without getting pregnant through a process called induced lactation, further proving how incredible the human body is.
Colostrum: Breastmilk in the First Few Days After Birth
The very first latch after your baby is born acts like his first immunization through only a few drops of colostrum. Your body began producing this liquid gold as early as the second trimester so it would be available when your baby was born. The early milk is delivered in a low volume feed, and its primary function is protection. It provides passive immunity to pathogens you have previously encountered or been immunized from.
Colostrum has a laxative effect and helps your baby pass meconium, lowering the risk of jaundice. Milk remains in the colostrum state for about the first 5 days (longer if you have a preemie that needs more protection).
Breastmilk Changes During Each Feed
Babies get their thirst quenched by the waterier milk that is delivered at the beginning of a nursing session. If you ever notice the appearance of your milk seems thin, you might wonder why breastmilk is watery, but this is actually the "foremilk" designed to hydrate your baby. As your baby continues to remove milk, he becomes more satisfied because fat globules increase as the breast empties. The milk at the end of the feed contains up to 4-5 times the amount of fat that was present when you began feeding only minutes prior. This change helps satisfy hunger and supports growth. You should complete a feed to provide both the hydration and calories your baby needs for growth.
Breastmilk Changes throughout the Day
Your milk communicates biological rhythms over 24 hours. Evening and nighttime milk has more melatonin which can enhance sleep. Morning milk is higher in cortisol and encourages circadian physiology. These variations in your milk can help newborns develop their biological clocks ensuring your baby is awake more during the day and gets more sleep at night. If you feel like your production is dipping in the later hours, exploring low milk supply at night solutions can help you maintain a steady flow for those important evening feeds.
Breastmilk Continues to Change until Weaning
Over the first year, the amount of protein in your milk declines and fat and energy content increases or decreases as needed. The nutrient profile is specifically suited for your baby’s stage of development.
Breastmilk is part of the maternal-infant immune dialogue. Your baby may communicate through his saliva which immune factors are needed to combat a particular virus, and you in turn produce the necessary protective agents. The adaptive nature of your milk still baffles researchers.
Your milk continues to provide everything your baby needs when he needs it. He will never get tired of eating at your BRESTAURANT because the menu changes satisfy what your baby is craving.
