Breast Milk

Composition

Mother’s milk consists mainly of water. It contains substances such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, minerals, trace elements, vitamins, hormones and defence cells. The main source of energy is fats, which can be optimally resorbed (absorbed) by the simultaneous presence of the cleaving enzyme lipase.

During breastfeeding, the composition, quantity and even the taste of the milk changes. In the first days after birth, the breasts contain the first milk (colostrum). This has a slightly laxative effect, so that the first bowel movement can take place soon.

Its composition is very well adapted to the untrained stomach of newborns. It contains relatively little fat and carbohydrates, but a lot of protein, vitamins, minerals and above all defense cells. After about four days, the first milk becomes the transitional milk, which in turn is separated from the mature breast milk after about fourteen days.

During these transitions, the content of proteins and minerals decreases continuously, while the carbohydrate and fat content increases compensatory to meet the higher energy requirements of the infant. The consistency of breast milk becomes more liquid and the color lighter. When breastfeeding, the thin, thirst-quenching breast milk initially emerges from the breast and is stored in the milk lakes behind the areola. Then the baby sucks the richer and more satisfying hind milk from the rear parts of the mammary gland.

Fluid requirements of the child

In a healthy newborn baby, the fluid requirement is sufficiently covered by breast milk. Even on summer days no additional fluid is necessary – the baby will cover its increased fluid requirement by drinking more frequently. An additional fluid dose can even overload the small stomach and disturb the milk production – by less frequent application -.

With proper suckling / breastfeeding, the child’s lips are turned outwards and also enclose the areola. Its face is close to the breast and it has thick cheeks. If this is not the case, i.e. lips are turned inwards, the cheeks are rather retracted or only the nipple is sucked in, the child is drinking incorrectly.

Pain in the nipple should also occur only briefly at the beginning of breastfeeding, if at all. Since incorrect sucking can easily lead to a lack of milk, milk congestion or inflamed nipples, the breastfeeding process should be briefly interrupted. For this purpose, the little finger should be gently pushed into the corner of the baby’s mouth so that it lets go of the breast and a new attempt can be started.

Incorrect sucking on the breast can also occur as a so-called suction confusion. This occurs when feeding with a bottle and when using pacifiers or nursing caps. Since these items require a completely different sucking technique than breastfeeding, the baby may become confused and practically unlearn how to suck correctly during breastfeeding. It is therefore important, especially in the first six weeks after birth, to avoid these suction aids and instead use cups, syringes or special breast feeding sets. However, these should only be used if additional feeding is really necessary, as breastfeeding alone is the best way to learn the correct sucking technique.