Understanding the Different Types of Breast Milk

(Newswire.net — November 28, 2017) Cheyenne, Wyoming — Breast milk is one of nature’s most uniquely wonderful concoctions, one which mankind has not been able to replicate. The complexity of this natural infant nourishment is further displayed through the various mixes of its production based on the baby’s age. The full value of breast milk is incomprehensible and is to be held in high esteem.

The human body handles lactation with great care as it is continually changing to meet an infant’s dietary needs. During the early years a mother and her child are practically inseparable especially whenever breastfeeding is exclusively done. While the bonding time is essential more than love is shared as distinct nutritional properties are provided to satisfy each infant’s individual appetite and hydration needs. 

The first type of breast milk produced is a thick yellowish substance known as colostrum which is produced during the first seven days after birth. “It’s full of antibodies and immunoglobulins, which not only help protect newborns as they come into our world of bacteria and viruses, but also has a laxative effect that helps them expel the tarry first stools called meconium,” explains Jan Barger, Lactation Consultant for BabyCentre.com.

Next there is the transitional milk, which has more calories than colostrum, is the onset of full lactation whereby creamy milk now flows for approximately two weeks followed by the mature milk. The mature milk is the final type produced and it’s a bit thin being that it contains 90% water to ensure the baby’s hydration and the remaining 10% provides carbohydrates, proteins, and fats essential for growth and energy.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “attention to maternal diet is important for some vitamins and the fatty acid composition of human milk.” As such the relationship between what a mother consumes and the quality of her breast milk are irrevocably linked. Even alcohol is be transferred to breast milk from a nursing mother’s blood stream but there are some precautions that may be exercised to enjoy a glass of wine or a pint of drink guilt free. 

“I wouldn’t have carried on breastfeeding this long if I felt it was restricting my ability to live my life normally,” said Roberta Samec, a nursing mom and leading figure of La Leche League. “For me, that includes moderate alcohol consumption.” 

The PureMilk™ Breast Milk Alcohol Detecting Strips by HealthyWiser™ is a quick, safe and affordable implement for measuring the alcohol present in a sample of breast milk. The kit includes mom-friendly instruction, an indicator color chart and provides result with 99.9% accuracy to guarantee mothers that after a drink only the highest quality of their breast milk will reach their baby’s lips.