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

Indicators of disability burden: qalys/dalys, Normal 0 false ...

Normal 0 false false false EN-IN X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

Locomotory structures, Locomotory Structures Annelids possess three k...

Locomotory Structures Annelids possess three kinds of locomotory structures, namely parapodia, setae and suckers. Parapodia are segmentally arranged, lateral, hollow extensio

What are the phenotypic ratios, Honeybees are unusual in that male bees (dr...

Honeybees are unusual in that male bees (drones) have only one copy of each gene, while female bees have two copies of their genes. That is because drones develop from eggs that ha

Which of groups is not ionizable, Which of the following groups is NOT ioni...

Which of the following groups is NOT ionizable? Select one: a. Guanidinium b. Imidazole c. Phosphoryl d. Amine e. Aldehyde

Disorders of the adrenal cortex, DISORDER S OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX - (...

DISORDER S OF THE ADRENAL CORTEX - ( i )      ADDISON'S DISEASE : This disease is caused by the deficiency of mineralocorticoids and glucocorticoids. Its symptoms include l

Explain the process of angioplasty, Q. Explain the process of Angioplasty? ...

Q. Explain the process of Angioplasty? Inflation of stenotic segment causes stretching of the vessel, fracture of the intimal plaque, partial disruption of the media and adven

Groups of living beings that form the protist kingdom, Q. Which are the gro...

Q. Which are the groups of living beings that form the protist kingdom? The protist kingdom includes algae and protozoans. (Two groups of fungi with similar characteristics to

Oxidative phosphorylation, Oxidative phosphorylation Oxidative phosphor...

Oxidative phosphorylation Oxidative phosphorylation is a metabolic pathway which uses energy released through the oxidation of nutrients to generate adenosine triphosphate (ATP

Define the historical process of spatial processes, Define the Historical P...

Define the Historical Process of Spatial processes? In year 1952 Alan Turing developed his theory of the generation of pattern in systems of reaction diffusion equations, now k

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