Explain characteristics that make breastfeeding beneficial, Biology

Assignment Help:

Explain characteristics that make breastfeeding beneficial to the infant?

We have listed some characteristics that make breastfeeding beneficial to the infant:

• Mature milk contains about 1/3rd the protein found in cow's milk - more than 25% of its nitrogen is non-protein nitrogen. The concentration of casein to whey protein is lower; 1.5 for breast milk and 0.2 for cow's milk. Thus human milk with its low casein content forms a flocculent suspension with a curd tension of 0. These curds are easily digested and hence better tolerated by the infant.
• Lactoferrin in human milk inhibits the growth of certain iron-dependent bacteria in the GI tract and therefore affords protection against gastrointestinal infections.
• Presence of phagocytes, lysozymes and lactoperoxidases, afford immunity against harmful microorganisms such as, S. aureus, Candido sp., Salmonella sp.
• Protection from respiratory tract allergy and eczema.
• Immunoglobulin's provide passive immunity and protect against infection by retarding viral and bacterial invasion of the mucosa.
• Brotective effects have been substantiated for necrotizing enterocolitis, acrodermatitis enteropathica, intractable diarrhoea, pathogenic E. coli infection.

• Relatively low in amino acids that are detrimental at high levels. High in amino acids that infant cannot synthesize e.g. cystine and taurine.
• Lipids: lower in foremilk-hind milk has a threefold higher fat content. Higher content of linoleic and oleic acid, cholestero1,'the latter being needed for myelin synthesis.
• Contains lipase which helps in digestion of milk triglycerides and partly accounts for a greater ease in fat digestion of breastfed infants.
• Higher levels of lactose and nitrogen-containing oligosaccharides which have L. Bifid us promoting activity.
• Minerals: As compared to cow's milk, 6-times more phosphorus 4-times more calcium - lower renal solute load - better availability.
• Lower iron content but nearly 50% of iron in human milk is absorbed.
• Levels of water-soluble vitamins likely to reflect internal dietary or supplementary intake.
• Several hormone-like substances and growth factors in human milk.


The significance of human milk in maintaining the health of an infant was highlighted above. However, we all know that in countries like India, the prevalence of Malnutrition is widespread and it can have serious consequences on the health of the mother- and the quantity/quality of milk secreted. Read the subsequent text to learn more on this aspect.


Related Discussions:- Explain characteristics that make breastfeeding beneficial

Explain some feeding considerations or nutrition support, Explain some Feed...

Explain some Feeding Considerations or Nutrition Support? The preferred route for feeding the patient should be oral intake1 via the utilization of gastrointestinal tract. If o

Determine the blood plasma levels of glucagon, Determine the blood plasma l...

Determine the blood plasma levels of glucagon A. production in the liver increases in response to an increase in blood plasma levels of glucagon. B. is secreted by alpha-isl

Define methods for determining amount of microbes in food, Define Methods f...

Define Methods for Determining the Amount of Microbes in Food? Following methods can be employed for determining the amount of microbes in the food samples and analyzing their

Explain about the forces acting on a gravity retaining wall, Explain about ...

Explain about the forces acting on a gravity retaining wall. Forces Acting on a Gravity Retaining Wall: In a general way the forces that act on a gravity retaining wall. The

Respiration, abnormal lung volumes and capacities

abnormal lung volumes and capacities

Etiological factor of gastritis, Q. Etiological factor of gastritis? So...

Q. Etiological factor of gastritis? Some most frequently associated risk factors for gastritis include: • Faulty dietary habits like overeating and taking highly seasoned fo

What is the plasma membrane of the cell, The plasma membrane is the outer m...

The plasma membrane is the outer membrane of the cell it delimits the cell itself and a cell interior with particular conditions for the cellular function. As it is selectively per

Rock be well-known from living things, Critical thinking the organization o...

Critical thinking the organization of a rock is much simpler than that of living things. By what other criteria can a rock be well-known from living things? Rocks are not comp

Species diversity - synthetic characters, Species Diversity - Synthetic Cha...

Species Diversity - Synthetic Characters It is one of the most important and basic characteristics of a community. There are various ways of measuring species diversity the si

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd