Breast milk properties: key nutrients and benefits for you and baby

Your breast milk is unique to you and provides the nutrients your baby needs for around the first 6 months. A healthy, balanced diet along with plenty of water will make sure your breast milk is nutritious, though its composition can also be affected by genetics, hormones, your baby’s needs and the environment. For example, in hot weather, your baby may want to breastfeed more often.

What’s in breast milk?

Breast milk is made up of mostly water (87.5%), and then carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals.

How breast milk composition changes: As your baby grows, your milk changes too — early colostrum in the first week gives way to mature milk that adapts to your baby’s changing needs.

The health benefits of breast milk for infants and you

Many breastfeeding benefits come from the way breast milk adapts to your baby’s needs while also supporting your own health and well-being.

• Breast milk can help your baby sleep. Your hormones change throughout the day, affecting your breast milk, so in the evenings your milk will pass on sleep-inducing hormones to your baby
• Breastfeeding mothers have increased oxytocin levels, which can help feelings of calmness and connection to baby
• The germ-fighting antibodies in breast milk can help increase your baby’s immune system
• Some flavours from the foods you eat may pass into breast milk, which can gently expose your baby to different tastes
• Breastfeeding can also support your own health, including lowering the risk of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease and obesity
• The more milk your baby drinks, the more your breasts will produce and vice versa

The health benefits of breast milk for infants and you

When to seek further support

Breastfeeding is a unique journey for every mother and baby, and it can take time to find your rhythm. If you have questions about breastfeeding, your milk supply, attachment, pain, or your baby’s feeding, speak to your midwife, health visitor or a breastfeeding specialist.

For more guidance and tips, explore the Capricare® Parent Support Hub.