Breast milk is a complex fluid containing 87% water. It also contains numerous
micronutrients and macronutrients. These include proteins, fats, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, growth factors, antibodies (protecting against infection), white blood cells, and beneficial bacteria.
The frequency of breastfeeding among women is generally increasing. More than 83% of mothers breastfeed after birth, and if at all possible, mothers try to breastfeed for as long as possible. It goes without saying that breastfeeding is a wonderful activity that not only connects the baby with the mother but also has numerous health benefits.
We would like to emphasize, however, that this is not a given! Many mothers do not breastfeed – whether
because their lactation did not start or stopped (despite having done everything possible to prevent it), or simply because they decided so.
When addressing breastfeeding difficulties, the first step is to consult a lactation specialist, a midwife
assistant, doctor, or other specialist who will assess the entire breastfeeding process, including
for example, mother's nutrition.
Another option to support breastfeeding is so-called galactagogues. These are substances that are
assumes that they help initiate, maintain, or increase the rate of synthesis (formation)
breast milk. Among the most frequently mentioned in the literature are:
1) Fenugreek Trigonella foenum graecum – this is the most commonly used
galactagogue.
2) Clustered asparagus (Asparagus racemosus, Shatavari) – helps breastfeeding women thanks to
to its phytoestrogenic effects.
3) Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum) – thanks to the content of silymarin, it increases
milk production.
4) Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) – contains molecules similar to estradiol, which increase
milk secretion.
And what are the most essential vitamins and minerals during breastfeeding?
1) Iodine is very necessary for the proper growth of the fetus and child and neurological (brain) development
development.
2) Iron – is necessary for brain development in infancy.
3) Vitamin B12 – supports brain development and the formation of healthy red blood cells.
4) Vitamin D – supports healthy bone development. Because breast milk is not sufficient
as a source of vitamin D, it is usually necessary to supplement the baby with vitamin D separately as well.
In conclusion, we would like to tell you that we are here for each and every one of you. Whether you are breastfeeding or not, we stand by you!
Verra team💕
List of References:
Penagos Tabares F, Bedoya Jaramillo JV, Ruiz-Cortés ZT. Pharmacological overview of
galactogogues. Vet Med Int. 2014;2014:602894. doi: 10.1155/2014/602894. Epub 2014 Aug 31. PMID: 25254141; PMCID: PMC4165197.
Breastfeeding Challenges. Online. American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists. Available from: https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-opinion/articles/2021/02/breastfeeding-challenges.
Kim SY, Yi DY. Components of human breast milk: from macronutrient to microbiome and microRNA. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020 Aug;63(8):301-309. doi: 10.3345/cep.2020.00059. Epub 2020 Mar 23. PMID: 32252145; PMCID: PMC7402982.
LÖNNERDAL, Bo; LIEN, Eric L. Nutritional and physiologic significance of α-lactalbumin in
infants. Nutrition Reviews, 2003, 61.9: 295-305.
Giansanti F, Panella G, Leboffe L, Antonini G. Lactoferrin from Milk: Nutraceutical and
Pharmacological Properties. Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2016 Sep 27;9(4):61. doi:
10.3390/ph9040061. PMID: 27690059; PMCID: PMC5198036.
Westerfield KL, Koenig K, Oh R. Breastfeeding: Common Questions and Answers. Am Fam Physician. 2018 Sep 15;98(6):368-373. PMID: 30215910.
What’s In Breast Milk? Online. American Pregnancy Association. Available from:
https://americanpregnancy.org/healthy-pregnancy/first-year-of-life/whats-in-breastmilk/.
How Breastmilk is Made. Online. Stanford MEDICINE. Available from:
https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=how-breastmilk-is-made-90-P02635.
Colostrum – the foundation for a child's immunity. Online. University Hospital Brno. Available from:
https://www.fnbrno.cz/colostrum-foundation-for-childrens-immunity/t6185.
Jozsa F, Thistle J. Anatomy, Colostrum. [Updated 2023 Feb 5]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK513256/
Infant and young child feeding. Online. WHO (World Health Organization). Available
also from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding.