Breastfeeding is the best for both the infant and the mom. Many of us have heard or read about this fact quite frequently. Most women are in-fact prepared for and look forward to nursing their babies. However not all of us understand the reasons as to why we should breastfeed our baby. Read on to understand more about composition of breast milk in various stages of breastfeeding.Breastfeeding ensures proper physical and mental development of a child. It helps new mothers to handle their body weight problem better. Breast milk is an excellent food for babies since it has all the nutrients, vitamins and proteins which a child requires to grow. Breastfeeding consists of three different stages- the Colostrum stage, the Transitional stage and Mature Milk stage. Milk produced at each of these stages is extremely beneficial to your newborn. During each of these stages the milk may change in color and consistency. Detailed below is a broad description of the components of breast milk observed during the three stages of breastfeeding. In this articleBreast Milk Composition in Colostrum StageComposition of Transitional MilkComposition of the Mature MilkBreast Milk Composition in Colostrum Stage This is the first stage which occurs immediately after pregnancy. It lasts for two to four days after the birth of your baby. The milk is typically cream or yellow in color. The milk at this stage is thicker than what is produced in the later stages. This milk is rich in fat soluble vitamins, minerals, proteins and immunoglobulin. The immunoglobulin present in this milk provides passive immunity to the infant. This basically protects the child from bacterial or viral infections.Composition of Transitional Milk This milk is produced in the second stage and lasts for over two weeks. It is rich in water soluble vitamins, fat solubles and lactose. As compared to Colostrum milk this has more calories in it. At this stage your breasts may start to feel warm and heavy. The veins in your breasts will be readily visible. The nipples become tender as they adjust to feeding. The feeding will not be painful, but there may be a little discomfort as your breasts start to fill. You may also find your nipples leaking milk in between feeds. Your infant at this stage will be a little more alert and require being fed at more frequent intervals. As a result she may pass urine more frequently. Composition of the Mature Milk Mature milk which is produced in the last stage of breastfeeding helps to keep the baby hydrated. 90% of this milk is made up of water. The remaining 10% contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates which are needed for the growth of the babies. There are two types of mature milk- the hind milk and the foremilk. The foremilk is the milk that baby receives at the start of feeding. This milk has high levels of vitamin, proteins and water in it. Hind milk on the other hand is released after foremilk period is over. It contains fat and helps babies to gain weight. The consistency of mature milk is thin and watery. Sometimes it may also look bluish in color and resemble skimmed milk. At this stage your breasts may become softer and smaller than they did during the transitional-milk stage. Breastfeeding is the best stage of a motherhood which helps the mother child bond. It has numerous benefits for both the newborn and the mother. Physical contact which happens during breast feeding is extremely essential to newborns. It generates a feeling of warmth, security and comfort. This contact is very beneficial to the mothers also. Research has indicated that the skin-to-skin contact with the infant boosts the Oxytocin levels in the mother. This hormone helps the milk to flow and calms the mother.
Breastfeeding is the best for both the infant and the mom. Many of us have heard or read about this fact quite frequently. Most women are in-fact prepared for and look forward to nursing their babies. However not all of us understand the reasons as to why we should breastfeed our baby. Read on to understand more about composition of breast milk in various stages of breastfeeding.Breastfeeding ensures proper physical and mental development of a child. It helps new mothers to handle their body weight problem better.
Breast milk is an excellent food for babies since it has all the nutrients, vitamins and proteins which a child requires to grow.
Breastfeeding consists of three different stages- the Colostrum stage, the Transitional stage and Mature Milk stage. Milk produced at each of these stages is extremely beneficial to your newborn. During each of these stages the milk may change in color and consistency. Detailed below is a broad description of the components of breast milk observed during the three stages of breastfeeding.
Breast Milk Composition in Colostrum Stage
This is the first stage which occurs immediately after pregnancy. It lasts for two to four days after the birth of your baby. The milk is typically cream or yellow in color. The milk at this stage is thicker than what is produced in the later stages. This milk is rich in fat soluble vitamins, minerals, proteins and immunoglobulin. The immunoglobulin present in this milk provides passive immunity to the infant. This basically protects the child from bacterial or viral infections.
Composition of Transitional Milk
This milk is produced in the second stage and lasts for over two weeks. It is rich in water soluble vitamins, fat solubles and lactose. As compared to Colostrum milk this has more calories in it.
At this stage your breasts may start to feel warm and heavy. The veins in your breasts will be readily visible. The nipples become tender as they adjust to feeding. The feeding will not be painful, but there may be a little discomfort as your breasts start to fill. You may also find your nipples leaking milk in between feeds.
Your infant at this stage will be a little more alert and require being fed at more frequent intervals. As a result she may pass urine more frequently.
Composition of the Mature Milk
Mature milk which is produced in the last stage of breastfeeding helps to keep the baby hydrated. 90% of this milk is made up of water. The remaining 10% contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates which are needed for the growth of the babies.
There are two types of mature milk- the hind milk and the foremilk. The foremilk is the milk that baby receives at the start of feeding. This milk has high levels of vitamin, proteins and water in it. Hind milk on the other hand is released after foremilk period is over. It contains fat and helps babies to gain weight.
The consistency of mature milk is thin and watery. Sometimes it may also look bluish in color and resemble skimmed milk. At this stage your breasts may become softer and smaller than they did during the transitional-milk stage.
Breastfeeding is the best stage of a motherhood which helps the mother child bond. It has numerous benefits for both the newborn and the
mother. Physical contact which happens during breast feeding is extremely essential to newborns. It generates a feeling of warmth, security and comfort. This contact is very beneficial to the mothers also. Research has indicated that the skin-to-skin contact with the infant boosts the Oxytocin levels in the mother. This hormone helps the milk to flow and calms the mother.
