Understanding About Breast Milk (Mother’s Milk)

Definition of breast milk

Breast milk (mother’s milk) is milk produced by humans for infant consumption and is the main source of nutrition for babies who cannot yet digest solid food. Breast milk is produced due to the influence of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin after the birth of the baby. Breastfeeding is recommended until the baby is 2 years old, besides that, MPASI (complementary food for breast milk) can be given from the baby at the age of 6 months and above.

Nutrient Content in Breast Milk

The characteristics of breast milk content can vary according to the baby’s needs. The content of breast milk in mothers who give birth to babies at normal gestational age (term) will be different from the content of breast milk in mothers who give birth to premature babies. Over time, the content of breast milk also changes according to the baby’s age. The nutrition will be adjusted to the baby’s needs at each stage of growth and development. The breast milk released at the beginning of each breastfeeding session is rich in water and lactose. Meanwhile, at the end of a breastfeeding session, the content of breast milk will be dominated by calories and fat.

The following are some of the nutritional contents found in breast milk that babies need for growth:

1. Proteins. There are two types of protein contained in breast milk, namely whey (60%) and casein (40%). This protein balance is beneficial for fast and easy digestion in babies. In contrast to formula milk which has a greater percentage of casein, which is more difficult for babies to digest. Both proteins have great infection protection properties.
   Here are some other specific proteins found in breast milk and their benefits:
   1. 1. Lactoferrin:
         Inhibits the growth of iron-dependent bacteria in the digestive tract. It can also inhibit certain organisms, such as coliforms and yeast, from absorbing the iron that babies need.
      2. Secretory IgA:
         Functions to protect babies from viruses and bacteria, especially those exposed to babies, mothers and families. This content also helps protect babies from E.coli and possible allergies. Other immunoglobulins, including IgG and IgM, in breast milk help protect against bacterial and viral infections.
      3. Lysozyme:
         This is an enzyme that protects babies from E.Coli and Salmonella bacteria. This content also encourages the growth of healthy intestinal flora and has anti-inflammatory functions.
      4. Bifidus Factor:
         A protein that supports the growth of lactobacillus. Please note that lactobacillus is a good bacteria that protects babies from bad bacteria, by creating an acidic environment in which it cannot survive.
      5. Fat.
         Breast milk also contains fat which is important for the baby’s health. This substance is necessary for brain development, absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, and is the main source of calories. Fatty acids are long chains that are necessary for the development of the brain, retina and nervous system. They are stored in the brain during the last trimester of pregnancy and are also found in breast milk. The fat content in milk increases with each feeding.
2. Vitamin.
   Vitamin nutrition is very important for babies, the amount and type of vitamins in breast milk also depend on the mother’s vitamin intake. Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are all important for a baby’s health. Water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin C, riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid are also important.
3. Carnitine.
   The carnitine contained in breast milk plays a role in building the body’s antibody system and providing the energy the baby needs for the body’s metabolic processes to run smoothly. This nutrient is most commonly found in the first 3 weeks of breastfeeding.
4. Carbohydrate.
   Lactose is the main carbohydrate found in breast milk. This content contributes around 40 percent of the total calories provided by breast milk. Lactose helps reduce the large number of unhealthy bacteria in the stomach. Apart from that, it also increases the absorption of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. All of them are useful for fighting disease and encouraging the growth of healthy bacteria in the baby’s stomach.
5. Mineral.
   There are various minerals contained in breast milk, such as iron, zinc, calcium, sodium, magnesium, selenium and chloride. This mineral has an important role in producing red blood cells, supporting the baby’s growth and development, helping the absorption of nutrients, and strengthening bones, muscles and nerves. There are many other contents of breast milk which are estimated to number more than 200 elements. Breast milk is known to be effective in reducing the risk of sudden infant death (SIDS), increasing intelligence, and strengthening the child’s natural immune system.

Stages of Breast Milk Production

Breast milk production actually begins during pregnancy, therefore pregnant women are advised to consume foods with balanced nutrition to prepare for breast milk production after delivery. When the baby is born, the mother will probably only have a little breast milk for the first day or two. But no need to worry, this is enough for newborn babies. On the third day after giving birth, breast milk production will increase. When breast milk comes in, the mother will feel the breasts begin to fill. However, it can take longer (up to five days) for first-time mothers. In this case, it is very important to carry out IMD, to stimulate breast milk production so that it comes out more quickly and the mother can breastfeed the baby exclusively.

The three main stages of breast milk development in the first 2 weeks are:

1. Colostrum.
   This is the first type of breast milk that is present at the end of pregnancy and during the first few days after the baby is born. The amount of colostrum a mother’s body makes is small, but that small volume contains everything a new baby needs in the first few days of life.
2. Transitional breast milk.
   This type of breast milk is a combination of colostrum and mature breast milk. When breast milk begins to come in (3-5 days after giving birth), it mixes with colostrum and gradually turns to mature breast milk over a few days or a week.
3. Mature or mature breast milk.
   Breast milk turns into mature breast milk when the baby is about two weeks old. Compared to colostrum, mature breast milk is lower in protein but higher in fat and carbohydrates. Mature breast milk contains around 90 percent water to meet the baby’s fluid needs. Here are two types of good colors and textures of mature breast milk:

• 1. Foremilk.
     This type of breast milk is slightly clear and bluish in color. This color indicates that breast milk has a fairly low fat content. Foremilk is a type of breast milk that usually comes out at the beginning of breastfeeding. The fat content is quite small, making the texture of foremilk tend to be runny. This also causes the color of the foremilk to be somewhat clear, but it is still a good or good type of breast milk.
  2. Hindmilk.
     Different from the color and texture of foremilk, hindmilk has a much thicker texture but is no less good and good. That is why the color of hindmilk tends to be white or even slightly yellowish as a sign of its high fat content. At first glance, hindmilk looks like milk liquid in general, namely white or slightly yellowish. The more you pump, the fat content in breast milk will continue to increase, making it thicker. Moreover, if the mother breastfeeds and pumps breast milk until the last session, it will be better because it contains lots of hindmilk. If the baby is too full before breastfeeding to the end, the mother can get around this by using a breast pump. Don’t forget to use the right way to store breast milk so that it lasts until it is given to the baby. So that the baby can get all the textures of breast milk, it is a good idea for the baby to breastfeed until the end. Not only does it get the texture of thick breast milk, this method also aims to ensure that the baby gets all the ingredients in breast milk.

Breast milk color

The color of breast milk can change in response to various factors. Usually breast milk is white, yellow, or bluish. However, depending on what the mother eats, breast milk can also be green, orange, brown, or pink. Sometimes, cracked nipple syndrome and mastitis (inflammation of the mammary glands) can impact the color of breast milk. This condition may be worrying, but it is not dangerous. As long as the baby does not reject the breast, it is safe to continue breastfeeding if the breast milk changes color. You should also note that certain medications can also affect the color of breast milk. These changes are not dangerous, as long as the medications (and any supplements) have been approved by a doctor for use while breastfeeding. It’s a good idea for mothers to always consult a doctor or midwife if they experience anything unusual and are worried about unusual changes in the color of their breast milk. This is done so that mothers can understand and be calmer when breastfeeding their babies.

The taste of breast milk

The taste of breast milk is described as sweet and creamy. It gets its sweetness from the milk sugar lactose, and its soft taste is due to the amount of fat it contains. However, because foremilk is low in fat, it will appear watery compared to hindmilk which is higher in fat. As mentioned above, the foods mothers eat also contribute to the taste of breast milk. Eating lots of fruit and vegetables will allow babies to get to know the taste of these foods through breast milk. It can also help babies accept the taste of fruit and vegetables when they start eating solid foods (MPASI). Other factors that affect the taste of a mother’s breast milk include medications, hormones, exercise, smoking, alcohol, and infections such as mastitis. Freezing and thawing breast milk can also give it a soapy taste that some babies may not like, although it is still very safe to give.

So, don’t hesitate to give breast milk to your baby. If the mother has questions about the baby’s growth and development or has problems providing breast milk, the mother can consult a midwife and pediatrician.