All that breast milk can do

All that breast milk can do

Breast milk is the best for your baby. The benefits are almost endless, your own body naturally produces the best baby food through the optimal composition of breast milk. Did you know, for example, that your breast milk is automatically a little thinner on hot days to ensure that your baby is well hydrated? Your breast milk also changes over time to adapt to your child's age-appropriate development.

However, breastfeeding is not a given. And pressure from inside and outside is not exactly helpful when you just want to do your best to feed your baby. Breastfeeding, bottle feeding, supplementing or pumping, it all happens. #noShameInYourFeedingGame!

Everything about the postpartum period

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What is colostrum made of?

First, the most obvious thing: breast milk contains all the essential nutrients and is simply perfectly formulated for your baby. All the important components of breast milk, such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and of course water, are present in sufficient amounts and in the perfect proportions. Did you know that the more than 200 components of breast milk have still not been fully deciphered to this day? This is why infant formula recipes have only attempted to approximate it. (Nutrients in our cow's milk-based baby milk explained.)

How does breast milk change?

A mother's breast milk adapts wonderfully to her baby's needs. In general, changes are broadly divided into three phases: colostrum, transitional milk, and mature milk.

When does the first foremilk come?

About 12 weeks before and in the first few days after your baby is born, a mother’s body produces a few milliliters of so-called pre-milk (colostrum). The milk is yellow in color and quite thick. Rich in protein and vitamins, but low in fat and carbohydrates, pre-milk is low in energy and also easy to digest. The first drops of breast milk also have a laxative effect, helping to naturally pass the baby’s meconium.

How long for transitional milk?

You can tell the transition is happening by the color of the transitional milk. Transitional milk is rather white and creamy and is produced by a mother for about 10 to 14 days after birth. The carbohydrate and fat concentrations increase, while the protein and mineral content decreases.

When does the mature milk come?

For the remainder of the breastfeeding period, so-called mature milk is produced. It is called mature because it has a high nutritional value. When you put your baby to the breast, your baby first drinks the foremilk, which is watery and low in fat and therefore primarily thirst-quenching. After a few minutes, the fatty and energy-rich hindmilk follows. The components of mature breast milk hardly change in the coming months – only the fat content fluctuates.

Interesting properties of breast milk

Breast milk is particularly easy to digest for your baby's still-developing digestive system. It contributes to the development of the immune system and the gut.
Baby food of the highest quality and always immediately available: It's incredibly convenient that your body already produces the food for your baby itself.
Breastfeeding is positively supported by the released hormone oxytocin, which is also called the "cuddly hormone", in strengthening the mother-child bond.
One point just for mom: Breastfeeding naturally supports the recovery of the uterus.
Breast milk is not always white, but can also take on a yellowish color.
The duration and intensity of feeding vary with the baby's thirst and hunger. Because the foremilk of the first few minutes is more thirst-quenching and the hindmilk is more filling.
Through breast milk, babies also get to know the taste of different foods. What a mother eats can affect the taste of breast milk.

Due to the great ingredients and properties of breast milk, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for babies during the first six months.

Best nutrition for you and your breast milk

Which nutrients does your body need during this intensive time? Because breastfeeding not only makes you quite hungry, you also want to stimulate your body's own milk production. We have summarized an overview of a balanced diet and the increased nutrient requirements during breastfeeding in the article 'Nutrition during breastfeeding: Treat yourself or better not?'.

And what if breastfeeding doesn't work out?!

Breastfeeding and milk coming in are not a given: Quite honestly – not all moms can breastfeed their babies without any problems from the start. That is why it is so important that you can confidently turn to a midwife, a lactation consultant, or another person you trust. You are not alone with the following issues: horrible clogged ducts, promoting milk coming in, what helps with sore nipples, or which breastfeeding position is best for you and your baby. How you choose to feed your baby is not a political issue, but your own personal decision, and you should not feel guilty if you turn to bottle-feeding. Don't forget: you are doing great! Breastfeeding, combination feeding, exclusive bottle-feeding, pumping, etc. – anything goes. We explain the contents of our baby formula so that you can make a well-informed decision for you and your baby.

And here we continue with the things no one told you before about the postpartum period.

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