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

Define type of instruments used in spectral techniques, Define Type of Inst...

Define Type of Instruments used in Spectral Techniques? A wide range of instruments are available, possessing a combination of features but there is no rigid classification of

Explain about microbial polysaccharides, Microbial polysaccharides Many...

Microbial polysaccharides Many microorganisms produce polysaccharides that either remain attached to the cell wall (capsular polysaccharides) or are  secreted into the extracel

Protozoans - body form, Protozoans - Body Form The protozoan body is ...

Protozoans - Body Form The protozoan body is usually bound only by the cell membrane called plasmalemma. In some protozoans such as in ciliates the rigidity and the flexibili

Root - plant growth substances, Root - Plant Growth Substances Inducti...

Root - Plant Growth Substances Induction of roots by auxins in stem cuttings is a well known phenomenon. The concentrations needed are much lower as compared to that which pro

What are functions of the epithelium, Q. What are some functions of the epi...

Q. What are some functions of the epithelium? The epithelial tissues can perform protection, covering and impermeability against the environment, for instance, in the skin, res

Explain the treatment of susceptible tb, Treatment of susceptible tb Al...

Treatment of susceptible tb All isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis should be tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, but results generally do not become available for at l

Factors affects oxygen dissociation curve - Carbon dioxide , Factors affect...

Factors affects oxygen dissociation curve - Carbon dioxide Carbon dioxide lowers the oxygen affinity of haemoglobin even if the pH is kept constant. This effect is due to the

Define functions of calcium in human body, Define Functions of Calcium in H...

Define Functions of Calcium in Human Body? Calcium salts provide rigidity to the skeleton and calcium ions play a role in many if not most, metabolic processes. In the vertebra

What is the defense mechanism to stop an infection, What is the defense mec...

What is the defense mechanism that begins to work when inflammation fails to stop an infection? If the inflammatory attack is not enough to halt the infectious process the body

Define blood pressure, Blood Pressure Blood pressure may be defined as ...

Blood Pressure Blood pressure may be defined as the force or pressure which the blood exerts on the walls of the artery. Blood pressure varies with the age of the individual. B

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