The composition of breast milk at each stage of growth: this adapts to the baby's needs

On several occasions we have commented that breast milk is an intelligent liquid that adapts to the needs of the baby according to their nutritional needs and their stage of growth. It is the best food we can give our baby from birth to at least two years, as recommended by the WHO, since breast milk it's much more than food.

At first glance, breast milk is a mixture of fats, proteins and sugars capable of feeding the newborn, but there is much more. It also includes other extra ingredients that contribute to children's development and that researchers continue to discover.

How is breast milk made up?

The first milk: colostrum

During the first days of breastfeeding, the milk produced by mothers is called colostrum and is essential to nourish and protect newborns. This milk is characterized by being dense and viscous and for its yellow or orange color.

During this first stage, milk contains more than 1,000 proteins and amino acids that not only contribute to the growth and development of babies, but also activate your immune system and protect your neurons. In addition, it has high levels of antibodies, white blood cells and cytoblasts (living cells) that strengthen the immune system and contribute to the development of organs, protecting it from diseases and infections.

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Colostrum components also include more than 200 oligosaccharides, important for the baby's gastrointestinal tract, acting as prebiotics in the intestines of newborns to prevent infections from reaching the bloodstream and reducing the risk of suffering a brain inflammation.

The first milk or colostrum contains high levels of antibodies and white blood cells to protect the baby against infections and diseases

It should be noted that this first milk is very rich in minerals and vitamins A, E and K, which help the proper functioning of the body and help the tooth and bone formation.

Second and third week: transition milk

Between two and four days after delivery, the consumption of milk by the baby increases, also increasing the amount produced by the mother. On the third day, the baby will consume 300 to 400 ml of breast milk every 24 hours, and on reaching the fifth day, its consumption will increase until reaching between 500 and 800 ml. This change is called the "rise" of milk and is the stage before mature milk.

This transitional milk, which is produced between the days 5 and 14 after deliveryIt is characterized by being creamier in color and texture, and although it maintains all the properties of colostrum, the levels of fat, calories and sugars - especially lactose - are much higher, contributing to the development of the nervous system, brain and eyes.

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From the fourth week: mature milk

When the baby is four weeks old, the milk is fully mature. This milk has lower concentrations of proteins, minerals and vitamins than colostrum but adds a large number of bioactive components: hormones, which not only contribute to the proper functioning of tissues and organs, but also to the regulation of appetite, sleep patterns or to the strengthening of the maternal bond; inmonuglobins, which neutralize bacteria and viruses; or enzymes, responsible for accelerating the chemical reactions of the body, allowing, for example, the absorption of iron.

Also, more than 1,400 micro RNA molecules regulate the genetic expression of the baby and strengthen your immune system, in addition to contributing to the remodeling of the mother's breast.

At seven months of breastfeeding, breast milk still accounts for 93% of the baby's daily caloric intake and half between 11 and 16 months

Finally, it should be noted that the density and creaminess of breastfeeding milk also varies gradually during each shot, being at the beginning much less fat that in the end due to the displacement of the milk and the emptying of the chest.

In addition, after the first six months of breastfeeding - and even if the baby begins to eat solid foods -, breast milk will still account for 93% of daily calories accumulated and approximately half between 11 and 16 months of life of the baby, so, following the recommendations of the WHO, feeding with breast milk can last up to two years, supplemented with other foods.