What essential nutrients are found in breast milk?

Question

Hello doctor,

As a 34-year-old new mom, I want to know how nursing and breast milk are good for my baby's health.

Could you list the most important nutrients in breast milk and explain how they help babies grow and develop?

I would also like to know about common nursing problems and how to deal with them in a way that helps my child get off to the best start.

Kindly help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I hope you are doing well.

Breast milk is full of important vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that help children grow and develop healthily. Colostrum, the thick, yellowish milk made right after birth, gives newborns the best nourishment. It is packed with nutrients and antibodies, so people often call it the baby’s first vaccine because it helps protect against illness.

Breastfeeding can lower the chances of many childhood illnesses, such as ear infections, asthma, respiratory infections, diarrhoea, vomiting, childhood obesity, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is also good for mothers. Breastfeeding helps with recovery after birth, lowers the risk of some breast and ovarian cancers and type 2 diabetes, and can help space out pregnancies.

Breast milk also has many special compounds that protect babies from infections and inflammation. These compounds help the immune system develop, support organ growth, and encourage a healthy gut.

To breastfeed well, make sure your baby latches on properly and feeds from one breast at a time if needed. Burping your baby after feeding also helps keep them comfortable.

I hope this explanation helps.

If you have more questions, please feel free to ask.

Thank you.