With its unique composition of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, human milk is designed to provide the ideal nutrition for an infant. Protein is a nutrient that is especially important for growth and development, and the protein content provided by human milk cannot be matched by any man-made substitute. While infant formulas made from cow or soy milk also contain protein, the protein in breast milk provides distinct nutritional advantages.
Types
The types of protein present in human breast milk are whey and casein. The unique blend of whey and casein proteins in human milk is easy for an infant to digest and provides special health benefits for a developing baby. The specific proteins in breast milk and their benefits are as follows: lactoferrin, which inhibits the growth of iron-dependent bacteria in the digestive tract; secretory IgA, which combats viruses as well as bacteria; lysozyme, which promotes healthy intestinal flora and wards off E. coli and salmonella; and bifidus factor, which supports growth of the beneficial bacteria, lactobacillus.
Amounts
Human milk is approximately 0.8 to 0.9 percent protein, 60 to 80 percent of which is whey protein, and 20 to 40 percent of which is casein. In the first few weeks after giving birth, a woman's body provides milk from a higher amount of protein than later in lactation, as it still contains colostrum. Colostrum is an especially nutrient-rich liquid produced by the breasts to nourish an infant in her first days of out of the womb. Human milk contains less protein than cow milk and less protein than infant formula.
Comparison to Formula
Although infant formula contains more protein than breast milk, this is not necessarily a good thing. Unlike human milk, formula contains mostly casein protein, which is harder for a baby to digest than whey. The casein protein from cow's milk is also more difficult to digest than the casein in human milk. Some formulas now contain hydrolyzed protein, which is already broken down and is thus easier to digest than traditional formulas. Another benefit of breast milk protein over the protein in formula is that breast milk's protein content and composition changes over time to the provide optimal nutrition for your baby based on her stage in life.
Other Advantages of Breast Milk
Besides its ideal protein package, breast milk also provides other important nutritional advantages. Both the fats and the protein in human milk are easier to digest than those in formula. Also, while formula contains more iron and other minerals than breast milk, the minerals in breast milk are better absorbed by the gut than those in formula. Additionally, compared to formula, breast milk offers more lactose, a special sugar that helps inhibit unhealthy bacteria in the stomach and thereby aids in a baby's absorption of essential nutrients including calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
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