Breast milk provides numerous advantages for infants. It is economical, convenient to provide anywhere and anytime, and contains optimal nutrients for growth and development. Biochemically, breast milk is easily digestible and contains proteins, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, fatty acids and other components that support brain and immune system development. It also contains factors that promote digestion and provide protection against infection. Psychologically, breastfeeding supports emotional stability, bonding, and personality development. It reduces health risks for both mother and infant.

1. ADVANTAGES OF BREAST FEEDING
DR Shivananda Polisetty
Post graduate
Department of pediatrics
AVMCH & R, PUDUCHERRY

2. The Advantages of Breastfeeding
The numerous advantages of breast milk are
beyond description and understanding
• It is very economical
• It is very convenient. No need to carry or sterilize
utensils. Available anywhere at any time.
• Sweetest milk with high lactose content.
• Optimum fluidity and warmth

3. Biochemically
• It is superior. The protein is easily digestible.
• Mostly whey protein (80%) rich in a-lactalbumin
and lactoferrin and the rest is casein (20%)
• Lactablumin is rich in tryptophan - the precursor
of serotonin an important neurotransmitter.
• human milk – doesn’t contain Alpha-casein and
lactoglobulin - allergens

4. CONT...
• The calcium-phosphorous ratio is more than 2 and it
ensures calcium absorption
• Lactose promotes calcium and magnesium
absorption.
• The solute load is low & decrease load on immature
infant’s kidney.
• Provision of optimum vitamins and mineral essential
for healthy growth

5. Cont..
• The lipids are rich in
Essential fatty acids,
Long chain polyunsaturated
fats (LCP),
Phospholipids
Prostaglandin precursors.
• LCPs promote brain growth and
reduce dyslexia and hyperactivity.
• It supplies enzymes like
Amylase,
Lipoprotein lipase,
Bile salt stimulated lipases
(BSSL),
Oxidases,
Lactoperoxidases,
Leucocyte myeloperoxidase etc
These enzymes increase digestibility
and also act as defence against
microbes.

6. Microbiologically
Sterile with least chance of contamination.
• Lactoferrin is bacteriostatic and inhibits E coli, it binds iron
and makes it unavailable to E coli.
• Peroxidases and lipases kill bacteria.
• Bile salt stimulated lipase (BSSL) - amoeba and Giardia.
• Para amino benzoic acid (PABA) - protection against
malaria.
• Exchange of microbes via skin contact and exposure to
microbiota in the immediate environment.

7. Immunologically
Extremely safe and is non-allergenic & supplies passive immunity.
• Macrophages,
• Lysozymes
• Complements
• Acute phase reactants.
• Immunoglobulins, secretory components and secretory IgA (SIgA).
• T and B lymphocytes. T lymphocytes - transfer of immunological
memory.

8. Bioactive factors
These are proteins like
• Lactoferrin,
• Non-protein nitrogen like
nucleotides,
• Enzymes,
• Hormones,
• Growth factors,
• Oligosaccharides,
• Mucins,
• Probiotic substances
• Polyamines -- cell growth and
differentiation
• Bifidus factor promotes the growth
of lactobacilli

9. Psychologically
• Emotional stability
• Personality development due to close contact
with the mother
• Mother-infant bonding

10. Maternal benefits
• Lactational amenorrhea – post partum infertility
• Decrease postpartum bleeding
• Helps in the involution of uterus
• It gives beauty to the mother
• Decrease the incidence of breast cancers and
ovarian cancers.

11. Epidemiologically
• Decreases morbidity and mortality.
• Breastfed baby is 14 times less likely to die from
diarrhoea,
• 4 times less likely to die from respiratory diseases
• 2.5 times less likely to die from other infections
than a non-breastfed infant.

12. The Factors in Breast Milk that Promote Growth and
Mental Development
• It contains amino acids specific for brain development.
• Rich in sulphur-containing amino acids. Cysteine:methionine ratio is high
which is essential for CNS development.
• Rich in taurine which is an important neurotransmitter & neuromodulator
for brain and retina.
• It offers a high tryptophan to neutral amino acid ratio which controls brain
serotonin synthesis.
• The amino acids are mostly in ‘trans’ form whereas in microwaved formula
they change to ‘cis’ form which are neurotoxic.

13. Rich source of hormones and growth factors
• Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),
• Thyroxine,
• Growth hormone releasing factor (GHRF),
• Insulin,
• Somatostatin,
• Epidermal growth factor,
• Prolactin,
• Neurotensin,
• Nerve growth factor (NGF) - NGF leads to dendritic arborization
• Beta casomorphin. - Human beta casomorphin is a CNS growth factor and it also
mediates high concentrations of hormones in breast milk than in maternal serum.

14. Comparison between Human Milk and Cow's Milk
• Milk is species specific.
• The current slogan ‘breast milk for brain growth
and cow’s milk for body growth’ - the importance
of breastfeeding in mental development
• Human milk - low protein and solute load is
suitable for the slower somatic growth in the
baby and for rapid brain growth in the first two
years of life

16. THANK YOU