Breast milk

Breast milk is a secretion produced by the mammary gland of a nursing woman. Breast milk is the best food for children in the first 5-6 months of life; in terms of the composition and ratio of the nutrients it contains, it most closely matches the characteristics of digestion and metabolism at this age.

During the first 2-3 days after the birth of the baby, the mother's mammary gland secretes a thick yellowish liquid, the so-called colostrum. Colostrum contains a lot of protein and salts, as well as so-called colostrum corpuscles - cells with droplets of fat.

From the 2-3rd to the 4-5th day, the mammary glands produce so-called colostrum, or early, milk, and then transitional milk. From the 2-4th week, so-called mature milk begins to be produced. This is a white liquid, which under a microscope looks like a uniform suspension of fat globules.

Mature breast milk contains all the necessary nutrients and vitamins, the quantity and ratio of which contribute to their most complete digestion and absorption. In addition, breast milk contains antibodies (substances that protect the baby from various diseases) and enzymes.

Compared to cow's and goat's milk, human milk is absorbed by the child much better and is more valuable. Human milk contains a sufficient amount of nutrients that a baby needs in the first 5-6 months of his life.

Milk proteins are very nutritious, easily digested and absorbed in the intestines of a newborn. Fats are in the form most suitable for their absorption - in the form of a fat emulsion, which ensures their most complete absorption.

Breast milk carbohydrates, in addition to their nutritional properties, prevent the growth of microbes in the intestines and thereby improve the digestion and absorption of food. Breast milk contains salts in the required quantities, especially calcium and phosphorus, which are important for the proper formation and development of the child’s skeleton.

All substances entering the mother’s body pass into breast milk, so a nursing woman must strictly monitor her diet.

Excess milk must be expressed. Expressed milk is delivered to special breast milk collection points, where it is processed and then used to feed children deprived of mother's milk for one reason or another.