Breast milk is a complex, dynamic food containing water, fats, lactose, proteins, vitamins and minerals that provide nutrition and support a baby’s growth and development.
It also contains antibodies and other immune components, human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), enzymes, hormones and growth factors. HMOs can support beneficial gut bacteria, while various immune components help protect infants against infections.
Breast milk composition isn’t exactly the same all the time. It naturally changes during a feeding and across different stages of lactation to help meet a growing baby’s needs.
Every mother and baby may have different feeding circumstances. For personalized breastfeeding or infant-feeding advice, speak with a pediatrician or qualified lactation professional.