ינהאַלט
Do you know what’s in your food? Mother’s milk has long been seen as a unique and ideal baby food. But why is this the case? Scientists from all over the world have been constantly studying its composition for many years, trying to break down this perfection of nature into prime factors. Thanks to advanced technology, we learn more and more about breast milk, and yet some ingredients and functions of this miracle of nature are still shrouded in mystery.
Simply irreplaceable ideal
Despite many studies on the composition of breast milk, many questions about human milk remain unanswered. However, one thing is indisputable – breast milk is a particularly valuable food for an infant. Experts from the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of a baby’s life and its continuation until about 2 years of age or longer, with the simultaneous extension of the child’s diet. Interestingly, it is impossible to fully reproduce female food. Why? The composition of a woman’s milk is an individual matter – each mother, depending on the environment in which she lives, health condition or diet, has a slightly different composition of food. The composition of breast milk also depends on the time of day – e.g. at night there is much more fat in it.
This includes these ingredients create the phenomenon of nature
Not everyone is aware of the great power of mother’s milk – based on the analyzes of scientists, it has been found that it contains almost all the necessary nutrients in the right amounts and proportions (except for vitamins D and K, which should be supplemented as prescribed by a doctor) . All of them together create a unique composition of ingredients, closest to the child’s needs. Among them should be mentioned:
- unique ingredients – including antibodies, hormones and enzymes;
- nucleotides – an essential element of many metabolic processes. They stimulate the production of antibodies and increase the activity of antimicrobial cells;
- minerals and vitamins – supporting the harmonious development, functioning of organs and the structure of a child’s teeth and bones [1]; l oligosaccharides [2] – in the mother’s food there are over 1000 different short- and long-chain oligosaccharides in the ratio 9: 1, which form as many as about 200 different structures;
- fats – the main source of energy. Among them are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, important for the development of the brain and vision;
- carbohydrates – a woman’s food contains mainly lactose, i.e. milk sugar, the main solid component of breast milk.
- unique ingredients – including antibodies, hormones and enzymes;
- nucleotides – an essential element of many metabolic processes. They stimulate the production of antibodies and increase the activity of antimicrobial cells;
- minerals and vitamins – supporting the harmonious development, functioning of organs and the structure of a child’s teeth and bones [1]; l oligosaccharides [2] – in the mother’s food there are over 1000 different short- and long-chain oligosaccharides in the ratio 9: 1, which form as many as about 200 different structures;
- fats – the main source of energy. Among them are long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, important for the development of the brain and vision;
- carbohydrates – a woman’s food contains mainly lactose, i.e. milk sugar, the main solid component of breast milk.
Do you know why an infant easily accepts the taste of mom’s food?
Thanks to the lactose content, breast milk has a sweet aftertaste. A baby is born with a natural preference for a sweet taste, and is therefore eager to eat mother’s food.
Closeness is so important …
Every mother wants to be with her child. Thanks to closeness, the baby feels loved and safe. But closeness is also very important in other aspects, such as the way we eat. Mother’s milk is closest to the baby’s needs – the unique composition of ingredients provides the young body with the ingredients necessary for harmonious development. When feeding with natural food is not possible, parents should choose the appropriate formula after consulting their pediatrician. It is worth remembering that whether a product has a composition inspired by mum’s milk, it is not one ingredient, but only their entire composition. Nutricia scientists have been studying the diversity of ingredients in mother’s food for over 40 years, trying to be inspired by the perfection of nature. That is why Bebilon 2 was created – a complete composition [3] containing also some ingredients naturally occurring in mother’s milk. Thanks to this, it provides the child with many benefits, including supports the proper development, including the functioning of the immune system, and the development of cognitive functions [4]. It all makes it modified milk most often recommended by pediatricians in Poland[קסנומקס].
וויכטיק אינפֿאָרמאַציע: Breastfeeding is the most appropriate and cheapest way of feeding infants and is recommended for young children along with a varied diet. Mother’s milk contains the nutrients necessary for the proper development of the baby and protects it against diseases and infections. Breastfeeding gives the best results when the mother is properly nourished during pregnancy and lactation, and when there is no unjustified feeding of the baby. Before deciding to change the feeding method, the mother should consult her doctor.
[1] באַללאַרד אָ, מאָרראָוו על. מענטש מילך זאַץ: נוטריאַנץ און ביאָאַקטיווע סיבות. פּידיאַטר קלין צפון בין. 2013;60(1):49-74.
[2] Moukarzel S, Bode L. Human milk oligosaccharides and the preterm infant: a journey in sickness and in health. Clin perinatol. 2017;44(1):193-207.
[3] Bebilon 2 composition in accordance with the law. Mother’s milk also contains unique ingredients, including antibodies, hormones and enzymes.
[4] Bebilon 2, according to the law, contains vitamins A, C and D important for the functioning of the immune system and iodine and iron important for the development of cognitive functions.
[5] צווישן די ווייַטער מילך, באזירט אויף אַ לערנען געפירט דורך Kantar Polska SA אין פעברואר 2019.