Feeding
Send this article to a friendThe science behind breast milk
Once you've mastered the technique, breastfeeding can seem like the most natural and simple process in the world. It's what mothers are programmed to do and what babies instinctively expect when they are born. However, the science behind that satisfying feed is anything but simple. Breast milk is a complex substance that provides optimum nutrition while helping to protect your baby against illness and infection. It contains all the basic nutrients a baby needs for healthy development, including vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats and protein. It also contains unique properties that have specific roles in supporting your baby's development and natural defences.
Through research into the content of breast milk, we have been able to learn about the functional benefits of nutrients such as LCPs, Nucleotides and Prebiotics. These all have an important role to play in your baby's first few months of life, and perhaps even into adulthood, contributing to your baby's general wellbeing as well as healthy development.
LCPs
LCPs stands for Long Chain Polyunsaturated fatty acids. These are important in the development of your baby's brain, eyes and nervous system. During pregnancy, your baby receives LCPs through your placenta. You can boost your levels by eating the right types of food. Once born, your body ensures a healthy supply is included in your milk. The two main LCPs found in breast milk are known as AA and DHA.
Nucleotides
Nucleotides are the building blocks for all cells in the body, including the immune system. The immune system is very complex and effective at protecting the body (e.g. against an infection), and research has shown that nucleotides support the activity of certain cells within the immune system.
Prebiotics
Prebiotics are special nutrients which also help to protect your baby by supporting their natural defences. This is achieved by increasing the levels of friendly bacteria and decreasing the levels of potentially pathogenic bacteria within the gut. Aptamil have been researching prebiotics for many years and are continuing to explore what other potential benefits they may confer.
The protective role of prebiotics
The most common place for bacteria and viruses to enter our system is via the gut. Friendly bacteria, such as bifidobacteria, exist there naturally and can fight off the potentially harmful varieties. Prebiotics are food for the friendly bacteria, encouraging them to grow and therefore supporting your baby's natural defences.
A daily intake of prebiotics is also good for your baby's digestion. This has the added benefit of making your baby's stools softer and easier to pass.
Discover more about how prebiotics help protect your baby from day one.
Prebiotics and the benefit of a natural birth
Before your baby is born their gut is sterile, so there are no bacteria in the gut at all. As your baby passes through the birth canal, they receive bacteria derived directly from the mother and indirectly, through parental interchange, from the father. They then receive prebiotics through your breast milk, which encourages those friendly bacteria to flourish.
With a caesarean section, the surgical procedure introduces different bacteria that they are exposed to within the hospital. This makes it even more important to ensure they have beneficial levels of good bacteria. If you are unable to breastfeed immediately or have chosen not to breastfeed, you can still provide your baby with prebiotics by choosing an infant milk containing these special nutrients.
Read our article about the health benefits of a natural vs. caesarean delivery.
Important notice
Breast feeding is best or babies and provides many benefits. Infant milk is intended to replace breast milk when mothers do not breast feed. It is recommended that infant milks but used only on the advice of an independent doctor, midwife, health visitor, public health nurse, dietitian or pharmacist. Breast feeding is best begun immediately after birth and the decision not to breast feed is difficult to reverse. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breast milk. It is important that, in preparation for and during breast feeding, you eat a healthy, balanced diet. If you use an infant milk, you should follow the manufacturer's instructions for use carefully. Improper use of an infant milk or inappropriate foods or feeding methods may present a health hazard. The social and financial implications of using and infant milk should be taken into consideration. Follow-on milk should be used only as part of a mixed diet and not as a breast milk substitute before 6 months.
