Breastmilk unpacked
What’s in breastmilk that’s good for babies?
Breastmilk is the best form of nutrition for babies and contains all the nutrients needed to support an infant’s healthy growth and development in the first six months1. Breastmilk composition is complex with a lot of unique bioactive ingredients and health benefits. Examples of the unique ingredients of breastmilk are the 150+ prebiotic oligosaccharides structures, stem cells, immuno-ingredients, growth factors, antimicrobial factors, live healthy bacteria, metabolites and metabolic hormones2,3,4.
Oligosaccharides in breastmilk
A blend of 9:1 short-chain galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and long-chain fructooligosaccharides (FOS) mimics the ratio of prebiotic oligosaccharides in breastmilk5,6, and has been shown to selectively stimulate the growth of friendly bacteria in infant’s gut7.
2-‘FL (2'Fucosyllactose) is the most abundant human milk oligosaccharide (HMO) within breastmilk8. 2-‘FL has been suggested to have a role in the development of the immune system in babies9. A prebiotic mixture including 9:1 GOS/FOS and 2’FL± in infant formula can further mimic the complexity of HMOs5.
What kind of fat is in breastmilk?
Phospholipids: Phospholipids are a type of lipid which can be found in breastmilk and other fat sources e.g. milk fat10. Phospholipids play an important role in11,12,13:
- Cell structure and integrity
- Infants’ inflammatory and immune responses
- Neural development
Fat containing SN-2 palmitate: The milk fat in breastmilk predominantly consists of triglycerides where the palmitic acid has a unique placement in the SN-2 position14. Most infant formulas contain palmitic acid not in the SN-2 position. Research has shown that adding milk fat with SN-2 palmitate to infant formula leads to14,15:
- Improved fatty acid and calcium absorption
- Reduced calcium soaps in baby stools
- Reduced constipation and softer stools
Omega 3 and Omega 6
Omega-3 (DHA, EPA, ALA) and Omega-6 (LA, AA) are essential fatty acids which can be found in breastmilk and cannot be produced by the body.
They play an important role in16,18:
- The structure of cell membranes,
- In the normal development and function of the brain and the nervous system,
- The normal visual development of infants, and
- For normal growth and development in babies and children*.
*Beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 100mg DHA, 2g ALA and 10g LA.
±2'FL is added to formula as a structurally identical human milk oligosaccharide and is not sourced from breast milk.
+ Aptamil Advanced contains our most advanced oligosaccharide combination of 9:1 GOS/FOS and 2-’FL. Aptamil contains our 9:1 GOS/FOS oligosaccharide blend.
What is in Aptamil?
Inspired by over 50 years of research in early life science, we continually innovate our range of Aptamil formula milks, including Aptamil Advanced. Our Aptamil range contains our most advanced prebiotic oligosaccharide combination+, including our unique 9:1 GOS/FOS ratio which is clinically proven to bring the gut microbiota closer to that of a breastfed infant18,19.
To learn more about the Aptamil range, click here’
- Kim SY, Yi DY. Components of human breast milk: from macronutrient to microbiome and microRNA. Clin Exp Pediatr. 2020;63(8):301-309.
- Soyyılmaz B, Mikš MH, Röhrig CH, Matwiejuk M, Meszaros-Matwiejuk A, Vigsnæs LK. The Mean of Milk: A Review of Human Milk Oligosaccharide Concentrations throughout Lactation. Nutrients. 2021 Aug 9;13(8):2737. doi: 10.3390/nu13082737.
- Ballard O, Morrow AL. Human milk composition: nutrients and bioactive factors. Pediatr Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;60(1):49-74. doi: 10.1016/j.pcl.2012.10.002.
- What are prebiotics and why are they important, Nutricia Academy. Available at: https://www.nutricia.co.uk/hcp/academy/the-gut-microbiome/what-are-prebiotics-and-why-are-they-important.html [Accessed April 2023]
- Salminen S, Stahl B, Vinderola G, Szajewska H. Infant Formula Supplemented with Biotics: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives. Nutrients. 2020 Jun 30;12(7):1952. doi: 10.3390/nu12071952.
- Danone Nutricia Research, Our specific pre-, pro- and synbiotics. Available at: https://www.danoneresearch.com/allergy/our-specific-pre-pro-and-synbiotics/ (Accessed October 2023)
- Knol J et al. Acta Paediatr Suppl 2005;94(449):31-3
- Vandenplas et al., Human Milk Oligosaccharides: 2-Fucosyllactose (2-FL) and Lacto-N-Neotetraose (LNnT) in Infant Formula. Nutrients 2018, 10, 116
- Danone Nutricia Research, Our specific pre-, pro- and synbiotics. Available at: https://www.danoneresearch.com/allergy/our-specific-pre-pro-and-synbiotics/ (Accessed October 2023)
- Donatella Restuccia, U. Gianfranco Spizzirri, Francesco Puoci, Giuseppe Cirillo, Giuliana Vinci & Nevio Picci (2012) Determination of Phospholipids in Food Samples, Food Reviews International, 28:1, 1-46, DOI: 10.1080/87559129.2011.563398
- Liu Y, Liu Y, Liu Q, Zhao J, Qiao W, Liu B, Yang B, Chen L. Comparison of phospholipid composition and microstructure of milk fat globules contained in human milk and infant formulae. Food Chem. 2023 Jul 30;415:135762. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.135762.
- Giuffrida F, Cruz-Hernandez C, Flück B, Tavazzi I, Thakkar SK, Destaillats F, Braun M. Quantification of phospholipids classes in human milk. Lipids. 2013 Oct;48(10):1051-8. doi: 10.1007/s11745-013-3825-z. Epub 2013 Aug 28. PMID: 23982210;
- Cilla A, Diego Quintaes K, Barberá R, Alegría A. Phospholipids in Human Milk and Infant Formulas: Benefits and Needs for Correct Infant Nutrition. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016 Aug 17;56(11):1880-92. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2013.803951.
- Bar-Yoseph F, Lifshitz Y, Cohen T, Malard P, Xu C. SN2-Palmitate Reduces Fatty Acid Excretion in Chinese Formula-fed Infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 Feb;62(2):341-7. doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000971. PMID: 26334255;
- Looijesteijn, E., Brouwer, R.W.W., Schoemaker, R.J. et al. Effect of bovine milk fat-based infant formulae on microbiota, metabolites and stool parameters in healthy term infants in a randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial. BMC Nutr 8, 93 (2022).
- The importance of long chain polyunsaturates for infant health and development, Nutricia Academy. Available at: https://www.nutricia.co.uk/hcp/academy/infant-toddler-nutrition/the-importance-of-long-chain-polyunsaturates-for-infant-health-and-development.html [Accessed October 2023]
- Commission delegated regulation (EU) 2016/2017, supplementing Regulation (EU) No 609/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council). Available at: CL2016R0127EN0050010.0001.3bi_cp 1..1 (europa.eu)
- Knol J, Scholtens P, Kafka C, et al. Colon microflora in infants fed formula with galacto- and fructo-oligosaccharides: more like breast-fed infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2005;40(1):36-42.
- Moro G et al. Dosage-related bifidogenic effects of galacto- and fructooligosaccharides in formula-fed term infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2002;34:291-5.
† Public Health England. McCane& Widdowson’s The Composition of Foods, 7th ed. Cambridge Royal Society of Chemistry 2015.
^ Thurl S et al. Nutr Rev 2017;75(11):920-33
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Important notice
Breastfeeding is best. Infant milk is suitable from birth when babies are not breastfed. Follow-on milk is only for babies over 6 months, as part of a mixed diet and should not be used as a breastmilk substitute before 6 months. We advise that the use of formula milks and the decision to start weaning should be made only on the advice of a doctor, dietitian, pharmacist or other professional responsible for maternal and child care based on baby’s individual needs. Use Growing Up milk as part of a varied, balanced diet from 1 year.
