You Have Different Breastmilk For Your Daughter And Son

One of the healthiest decisions you take as a new mother is to breastfeed your child. You know the various ways your newborn could be benefited with your breastmilk. But are you aware that the composition of your milk varies based on the gender of your baby?

A mother’s milk contains varying levels of vital nutrients, and it entirely depends on the sex of the baby. Scientific experiments conducted in both human and monkeys’ milk prove that there are different levels of protein, vitamins, minerals, sugars, and hormones for boys and girls.

Evolutionary biologist at Harvard University Katie Hinde conducted several researches based on the constituents of breast milk and found that it has a direct impact on baby’s behavioral, immunological, and neurological development.

Below are some key points from the research:

  • When you carry a baby girl, your breast milk contains higher levels of calcium. On the other hand, the level of protein and fat is higher if you are having a baby boy.
  • When you are pregnant with a girl, the milk volume is higher.

Factors That Lead To Variation In Breast Milk

  • A mother’s behavior towards her baby changes the composition of the milk.
  • The breastfeeding pattern differs according to the baby’s sex. You may feed your son in a pattern different from the one you adopt for your daughter. This also changes the breast milk composition.
  • Hormonal signals coming from the developing fetus influence the composition of breastmilk.

Hinde told The Guardian: “The recipes for milk for sons and daughters may be different, and the difference may be greater depending on where the mother is at in her reproductive career.

“Boys and girls have different developmental trajectories, so if they are not getting what they need, their development will not be optimal.”

The consistency and composition of breastmilk change a lot during the course of feeding. From the initial day to the last, the composition changes according to the growth demands of the baby. For instance, when you have a premature baby you produce different concentration of breastmilk so that it adequately suits your baby’s health.

At the weaning phase the milk has a higher concentration of immune protective factors that can protect the little one from various infections.

Breastfeeding does a lot of good for the child and is the first immunity that the child gets. Always opt for it!

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