10 Common questions about breast milk

Breast milk is usually the baby's first food and, therefore, it is a very nutritious substance that helps ensure healthy growth and development, being rich in fat, carbohydrates, various types of vitamins and antibodies. It is a live food, which varies its composition over time, adapting to ensure all the needs of the growing baby. It should be the baby's only food up to 6 months of age and should complement his food until at least 2 years of life.

Find out more about breast milk and how to breastfeed properly in our comprehensive Breastfeeding Guide for beginners.

Although breast milk has been used since the earliest times of humanity, there are still many doubts about its composition and use. So, check out the answer to the 10 most common questions:

1. When should breast milk be given?

Breast milk should be given to the baby right from birth, and may even be offered immediately after delivery, for example. Breast milk should be given to the baby whenever he is apparently hungry, which happens when there are signs such as sucking a finger, crying or being very restless, for example.

Ideally, this type of feeding should be done until 6 months of age, without the need for any other type of food or formula. However, as some women may have problems breastfeeding or decreased the amount of milk, in some cases the pediatrician and obstetrician may advise completing breastfeeding with the use of milk adapted from the pharmacy. Here's how to choose the best milk for your baby.

When to stop giving breast milk

According to the WHO, exclusive breastfeeding with breast milk should be maintained until 6 months of age and continue until around 2 years of age, along with other foods. The introduction of new foods can then be started around 6 months, or according to the pediatrician's guidance. The first foods should be of a more neutral flavor and presented in the form of porridge, with the use of sweet potatoes, carrots, rice and bananas. See better how to introduce food to the baby.

2. What is the composition of breast milk?

Breast milk is very rich in fat, protein and carbohydrates, as they are some of the most important nutrients for baby's growth and development. However, it also has a good amount of proteins and antibodies, which help to maintain health and strengthen the immune system.

As the baby grows, breast milk changes, going through 3 main stages:

• Colostrum: it is the first milk that is quite liquid and yellowish, being richer in proteins; Transitional milk: appears after 1 week and is richer in fats and carbohydrates than colostrum, and is therefore thicker; Mature milk: appears after approximately 21 days and contains fats, carbohydrates, various vitamins, proteins and antibodies, making it a more complete food.

Due to the presence of antibodies, breast milk works as a natural vaccine, strengthening the baby's immune system against various types of infections. This is one of the main reasons why breast milk should be preferred over milk adapted from pharmacies, for example. Check out a complete list of breast milk components and their quantities.

3. Does breast milk contain lactose?

Breast milk contains lactose as it is the main carbohydrate for the development of the baby's brain. However, women who consume many dairy products or milk may have a higher lactose composition in the milk they produce. Although the composition of the milk varies over time, the amount of lactose remains similar from the beginning to the end of the breastfeeding phase.

Although lactose causes several intolerance reactions in children and adults, it generally does not affect the baby, because when the baby is born it is producing a high amount of lactase, which is the enzyme responsible for degrading lactose. Thus, it is quite rare that the baby has any type of allergy to the mother's milk. See when your baby may be allergic to breast milk and what the symptoms are.

4. How to increase milk production?

The best way to ensure sufficient milk production is to eat a balanced diet and drink 3 to 4 liters of fluids a day. A good example of eating at this stage should include eating lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

In addition, the baby's sucking motion in the breast also stimulates milk production and, therefore, one should breastfeed as many times per day, which can be 10 times or more. Check out 5 effective tips to increase breast milk production.

5. How to store milk?

Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator or freezer, but it must be placed in containers that are sold at the pharmacy or in a sterilized glass container with a plastic lid. In the refrigerator, milk can be stored for up to 48 hours, as long as it is not placed in the door, and in the freezer for up to 3 months. Understand more about how you can store breast milk.

How long can you stay out of the fridge

In many situations, breast milk can be kept out of the refrigerator for up to 3 or 4 hours, however, as temperatures vary widely throughout the year and from region to region, the ideal is to place the milk in the freezer or refrigerator.

6. How to defrost breast milk?

To defrost breast milk, place the container in a pan of warm water and gradually warm it on the stove. It is not recommended to heat the milk directly in the pan or in the microwave as it can destroy proteins, in addition to not heating the milk evenly, which can end up causing burns in the baby's mouth.

Ideally, only the necessary amount of milk should be defrosted, as the milk cannot be re-frozen. However, if excess milk is defrosted, you must put what is left in the refrigerator and use within 24 hours at the most.

7. Is it possible to donate breast milk?

Breast milk can be donated to the Human Milk Bank, an organization that delivers milk to ICUs in hospitals where newborns are admitted who cannot be breastfed by their mothers. In addition, this milk can also be donated to mothers who do not have enough milk and who do not want to give a bottle with milk adapted from the pharmacy.

8. How to express milk with the breast pump?

Removing the milk with a breast pump can be a little time-consuming, especially the first few times. Before using the pump, wash your hands and find a calm and comfortable place. Then, the opening of the pump must be placed over the breast, ensuring that the nipple is centered.

At first, you should start to press the pump slowly, with gentle movements, as it would happen if the baby were breastfeeding, and then increase the intensity, according to the comfort level.

Check the step-by-step to express milk and what is the best time to express it.

9. Is there weak breast milk?

According to several breastfeeding experts, there is no such thing as weak breast milk, as each woman produces exactly the type of milk her baby needs. Furthermore, there also does not seem to be any relationship between the size of the breasts and the quantity or quality of the milk produced.

Some women may experience difficulty in producing enough breast milk, and in these cases, one can choose to use adapted milk from the pharmacy. However, it is important to maintain breast stimulation with the baby breastfeeding first, and only then offer the bottle if you are still hungry.

10. Is it possible to dry the milk?

In some situations, the obstetrician may advise the woman to dry the milk, such as when the baby has a problem that prevents the intake of that milk or when the mother has a disease that can pass through the milk, as in women with HIV, for example. Check a list of when a woman should not breastfeed. However, in all other situations it is very important to maintain milk production in order to provide the best possible food for the baby.

In cases where the doctor recommends drying the milk, medicines are usually prescribed, such as Bromocriptine or Lisuride, which will gradually decrease the amount of milk produced, but which can also cause various side effects such as vomiting, nausea, headache or drowsiness. See what other medications can be used and also some natural options for drying milk.