Breast Milk Nutrition Is Species Specific

Human milk is designed for humans, cows milk is designed for cows. The milk of each mammal species is perfectly designed to supply its offspring with what is needed for optimal growth and survival.

Breast milk nutrition is species-specific, some are relatively high in fat to create a thick layer of body fat, while those with high protein use it for rapid growth and to speed up maturation.

The species that need readily available sources of sugar to meet the needs of their growing brains have milk that is higher in carbohydrates.

Humans are the slowest growing and maturing mammals, and have the least amount of physical capability at birth but also have the most advanced brains.

So it makes sense that the protein content of human milk is relatively low while the level of carbohydrates and sugar is high.

Human milk contains high levels of nutrients appropriate for the human infant. It also evolves with the baby from the beginning of the feeding to the end, from each feeding, as the infant reaches different developmental ages.

The infant signals in many ways that stimulate some of the changes in the mom’s breast milk. When following her infant’s feeding cues, a mother can be assured that her child will benefit from those changes.

For instance, if the milk taken at a particular feeding is lower in fat (fat is the most variable constituent of the mother’s milk), the infant will become hungry again quicker.

If his cues are recognized and followed and he receives the next few feedings close together, the higher fat milk he receives, as content goes up when the breast is less full will ensure his overall fat intake is adequate.