Although there are many nutrients in milk powder, but compared to breast milk, once certain subtle gaps are magnified, the benefits are still slightly insufficient. Today we will talk about the five major categories of nutrients in breast milk, which play a vital role in the healthy development of the baby. Benefit one: breast milk fat Fat is the most variable substance in breast milk. Each time you eat milk, the first milk you eat has the least amount of fat, while the last milk you eat has more fat. The fat content of breast milk automatically decreases as the baby grows older. In addition, the fats in breast milk include cholesterol for neurological development, Omega-3 fatty acids for brain development, DHA, ARA, and lipase for fat digestion, rather than a single fat like in formula. Benefit 2: Breast milk protein Human beings are less mature at birth and need frequent nursing and care. Human milk is low in protein and easy to digest, so it can be suitable for infants and children with weak digestion. Cows, on the other hand, need a lot of protein to achieve rapid muscle growth in order to be able to stand and bear weight, so the protein content of cow’s milk is as high as 3.3%. Therefore, the protein content of human milk is as low as about 0.9%, which is suitable for the needs of human infants. Benefit 3: Breast milk immune substances The proteins in breast milk are active, such as immunoglobulins and enzymes, which provide immune protection to the child and improve resistance. Breastmilk also produces environmental antibodies to protect the baby as external conditions change (e.g. colds, food conversion), such as when the mother has a cold, the corresponding antibodies are produced in the breast milk to protect the baby. Studies have found that the longer babies are breastfed, the lower the rate of various infections, and even if they are infected, the extent is less. Benefit 4: Lactose in breast milk Human milk has the highest amount of lactose in all mammals, which helps the development of the brain and promotes the growth of lactic acid bacteria in the infant’s intestines, which helps to discharge better smelling stools and prevent intestinal infections. Benefits 5: Vitamins and minerals in breast milk The vitamins and minerals in breast milk are highly bioavailable, especially calcium, iron and zinc. 50%-75% of iron can be absorbed by infants, while the balance of vitamins and minerals is maintained to facilitate absorption by babies. The calcium in breast milk meets both the needs up to 6 months of age and most of the calcium needs of babies who start food conversion, and with the calcium in complementary foods, there is no need for additional calcium supplements. In addition, the amount of calcium, vitamins and minerals in formula may be twice as high as that in breast milk, but the absorption and utilization rate is much less than that of breast milk. Moreover, too much of one substance can affect your baby’s absorption and utilization of other nutrients. The benefits of breastfeeding are many, but the pro-feeding is much more tiring than formula, see your child and give them the best, hats off to breastfeeding mothers.