The 7 wonders of breast milk

Why is breast milk best for baby?

Learn what makes breastfeeding worthwhile

Breastmilk is incredible, multifaceted, and fascinating. It’s been inspiring our research for 50 years. And as we’re able to discover more and more about its composition, more unexpected and amazing properties are being revealed.

7 wonderful breast milk facts that might surprise you:

1. Your breast milk is totally unique to you

Your breast milk's composition is determined by factors including your diet, hormones, genetics, environmental influences, and the needs of you and your baby.

2. Your baby recognises the smell of your breast milk

The scent of your breast milk prompts your newborn to show searching behaviours. And, amazingly, they can sense and process information contained in your milk.

3. Your breast milk can help your baby sleep

As your hormone levels change throughout the day, so do the levels in your breast milk. This means, for example, that in the evening your milk will pass on sleep inducing hormones to your baby.

4. Breastfeeding makes your ‘love hormones’ rise

The skin-to-skin contact of breastfeeding is thought to help with bonding, but scientists have also discovered that your oxytocin levels go up while you breastfeed. This is thought to help increase your feelings of love towards your child.

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5. Breast milk helps your baby have a healthier future

Breast milk is filled with germ-fighting antibodies. It can reduce the risk of developing eczema, asthma, allergies and obesity in later life, while prolonged breastfeeding helps reduce the lifelong risk of heart disease.
Find out more about the health benefits of breastfeeding.

6. Breast milk can help your baby become a lifelong healthy eater

Your diet can directly influence the composition of your breast milk. And the foods you eat while breastfeeding could influence the tastes your baby enjoys throughout weaning and beyond.

Find out more about what to include in your breastfeeding diet.

Breast milk is different for sons and daughters

Did you know that boys consume more of their mother’s milk than girls? And amazingly, the breast milk produced for boys contains 25% more calories than for girls.

Learn more about breast milk composition.

We still don't know how milk becomes naturally tailored to each baby's needs. In fact, we're only just beginning to understand the subtleties and complexities of breast milk. There's much more research needed, but there is no doubt that breast milk is wonderful.

Worried about breastfeeding?

It's completely normal to find breastfeeding a little tricky at first, but our breastfeeding guide is full of tips and advice to support you every step of the way.

Your baby's future health begins here

At Aptaclub, we believe that experience helps to build resilience; and that each new encounter, whether in pregnancy or after birth, can shape your baby’s future development. With our scientific expertise and one-to-one round the clock support, we can help you and your baby embrace tomorrow.

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Important notice

Breastfeeding is best for babies and provides many benefits. It is important that, in preparation for and during breastfeeding, you eat a varied, balanced diet. Combined breast and bottle feeding in the first weeks of life may reduce the supply of your own breastmilk, and reversing the decision not to breastfeed is difficult. Always consult your healthcare professional for advice about feeding your baby.