the sweet taste of nature's honey: breast milk
Have you ever tasted your breast milk before?
I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant in drinking my own breast milk when I began breastfeeding my boys. Breastfeeding is an act of resistance so unpacking my own ignorance towards it within my own journey took progress. After a few weeks my curiosity got the best of me and it was surprisingly sweet. I finally realized what the hype was all about for these milk-wasted babies in the world. So now here’s your turn, go ahead...take a swig!
How was it?
See. I told you.
If you ask me, breast milk should be listed as a super food too. Breast milk tastes sweet because it contains a sugar called lactose. Lactose is essential for brain development, calcium absorption and healthy gut bacteria.
Lactose is a carbohydrate which is a source of energy. Lactose is broken down into two simple sugars called glucose and galactose. Glucose provides the source of energy and calories needed for you newborns growth and development. Galactose contributes to your infant's healthy central nervous system which helps make all those electrical impulses and connections in the brain to develop properly for baby to reach milestones.
Lactose is also made up of carbohydrates which plays a key role in building a healthy gut in your baby’s intestines. Lactose promotes good bacteria that prevents infection, bacteria and fights off viruses such as the current COVID19 and other microorganisms that cause illnesses and prevents diarrhea.
Plus, it makes your baby want to drink more milk which aids in the supply and demand of milk production. What better way to encourage a baby to drink something naturally than nature adding its own spoonful of honey.
Sources:
Riordan, J., and Wambach, K. Breastfeeding and Human Lactation Fourth Edition. Jones and Bartlett Learning. 2014.
https://americanpregnancy.org/first-year-of-life/whats-in-breastmilk/
Jada Metcalf | is a mom of two, Certified Breastfeeding Specialist, ROSE Community Transformer, former WIC Breastfeeding Peer Counselor and lactation consultant in training and a lactation and postpartum wellness business owner.
Health information on this site is based on peer-reviewed medical journals and highly respected health organizations and institutions including theCDC (Center for Disease Control),AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) and WHO( World Health Organization). (NIH) National Institute of Health