A first-of-its-kind study found that the composition and breastmilk nutrients can change with the seasons. The study highlighted changes in not only breastmilk sugars but also gut microbiota, health and growth in the same mother-baby pairs over time.
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Published in the January issue of Scientific Reports and designed and co-authored by Robin Bernstein, an anthropology professor at University of Colorado, Bolder, the study concluded that the seasonal changes in a mother’s environment, and therefore, diet can have a significant impact on sugars found in breastmilk. This can impact the baby’s gut bacteria and the baby’s overall health since those bacteria feed off the sugars naturally present in breastmilk.
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Co-authored by researchers at the University of California, Davis and the Medical Research Council from the United Kingdom, the study focused on mothers in Gambia and analyzed samples from 33 mother and baby pairs at four, 16 and 20 weeks postpartum. During the wet season, when there is less food and more stress, breastmilk contained about 20 percent fewer milk oligosaccharides – complex sugars that feed a baby’s gut bacteria.
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Babies exposed to more sugar lacto-N-fucopentaose tended to be sick less, those with more sugar 3′- sialyllactose showed healthier growth patterns and baby’s with higher levels of Dialister, Prevotella and Bifidobacteria bacteria had higher levels of intestinal inflammation.
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“This study helps us better understand how a woman’s environment might influence the composition of her milk and how the composition of her milk might have real-life consequences for her baby,” said Bernstein in an interview with the university newspaper.
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Ultimately more studies will be needed to truely conclusive cause and effect relationship. However, the authors are hopeful that future studies could lead to supplements that would help nursing mothers in challenging environments ensure their babies are getting the healthiest breastmilk.
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This is so cool! One of the many many reasons I’m totally fascinated by breastmilk (and why I’ll continue to breastfeed my daughter until she’s 2 or 3.)
Wow – this is really interesting information for new moms and the big picture of breast feeding. I think its important that we are aware of the facts to keep our babies healthy.
This is ever so interesting! I’ve never heard of this and am not a mum so can’t tell but it’s definitely an amazing study! x
I always thought it was so cool how breastmilk changes. I never knew it changed seasonally though.
I was sure that was true. My baby had more fat in the winter and less in the summer. Interesting read!
I had no idea, but it definitely doesn’t surprise me. Interesting for sure.
This is some interesting information! I knew milk changed with diet and stress but I didn’t realize it is effected by seasons.
Breastmilk is seriously amazing! I had no idea it changed seasonally though. That’s so cool.
I am not a mom yet but am planning on breastfeeding when I am! So crazy how it changes though! I did not know that!
Breastmilk is so incredible! I love learning about it
We are going on 17 months breastfeeding and little girl has only been sick once! I think there is definitely something special about it!
This is really interesting. I didn’t make it very long breastfeeding but the benefits are amazing.
16 months and going! Breastmilk is designed so perfectly!
Wow this is so interesting to me!!! I never would have thought this to be true.
I respect any mothers right to feed how she wants, but this just solidifies that breast milk is better for the baby. Other studies I looked at when I studied nutrition (5 years ago) showed that the macros of Breast milk changes as the baby grows too. Our bodies are amazing!
This is so interesting! I am a huge advocate of breast feeding, and extended breast feeding. It is amazing the information that has come out recently about breast milk.
The human body is amazing! I believe breastmilk can change due to the environment I am learning something new everyday and moreso its the best for our kids!
This is also a fascinating topic for me. I intended on breastfeeding both my daughters but ended up bottle feeding.
I had no idea, this is so interesting! I think breast milk is so much healthier for a baby, but to each mother her own!
Wow this is so interesting! I had no idea! I’ve always been so surprised on all of the things breastmilk can do. I even saw it cure my son’s eye infection!
It is really interesting to see what can be linked and is important but we didn’t know it. Who would have thought that these two things would have been linked? And it is very important.
That is awesome! If you can breastfeed, I definitely encourage it. There are so many health benefits!
I am done breastfeeding my kids but I love knowing that I made the right decision to breast feed all 3 at least a year.
Breast feeding has so many benefits (I do not judge those who cannot or who chose not to). I was never aware that there was an seasonal impact that is very interesting
Our bodies are so incredibly amazing. If it were possible, it would be fascinating to be able to compare data about this from different time periods or cultures.