Breast milk is the most natural, safest, and complete food for infant growth. It contains all the nutrients and antibodies necessary for a baby's development. Notably, breast milk comprises 50% fat, which not only provides energy but also supplies the fats essential for brain development (60% of the brain's structure is composed of fat). Its rich calcium and phosphorus content supports healthy growth and strength. Immunoglobulins effectively prevent and protect infants from infections and chronic diseases.Bifidogenic factors and oligosaccharides inhibit harmful bacteria in the gut and aid digestion. Furthermore, the intimate bonding and parent-child connection during breastfeeding stimulate the infant's brain and mental development.
Colostrum: The Most Precious Gift for Your Baby
Colostrum is the newborn's first food upon entering the world and the best, most precious gift a mother can give her baby.
After childbirth, hormonal changes in the mother trigger breast milk production. However, lactation undergoes gradual qualitative and quantitative shifts: milk produced within 4-5 days postpartum is termed colostrum; milk from days 6-10 is transitional milk; milk from day 11 to 9 months is mature milk; and milk beyond 10 months is late milk.Due to its higher content of salts like calcium phosphate and calcium chloride, colostrum has a mild laxative effect and contains more calories than mature milk.
Important Considerations for Room Temperature Storage of Breast Milk
Generally, there are two methods for storing breast milk. One is for mothers working in offices without refrigeration facilities, necessitating room temperature storage. Breast milk stored at room temperature has a shorter shelf life. Mothers should clearly label storage containers with dates to prevent infants from consuming expired milk, which could lead to gastrointestinal issues.
Room Temperature Storage Duration for Breast Milk:
Colostrum (milk expressed within 6 days postpartum): Can be stored for 12 hours at room temperature (27–32°C).
Mature breast milk (milk expressed after 6 days postpartum): Can be stored for 24 hours at 15°C; 10 hours at 19–22°C; 6 hours at 25°C.
Stored breast milk may separate into two layers—whey and cream—appearing bluish, yellowish, or brownish. This is normal. Before feeding, mothers should shake the milk well to recombine the layers.
How long should breastfeeding continue?
Breastfeeding is best continued until the baby is around 8 months to 1 year old, with complementary foods gradually introduced starting at 6 months.The optimal time to wean your baby is between 8 months and 1 year old. If your baby is eating solid foods alongside breast milk and tolerates them well, weaning can be delayed until as late as 18 months. However, if your baby is in poor health or ill, especially if they have allergies or digestive issues, it's recommended to continue breastfeeding beyond 1 year to support their recovery.
Generally, if a mother chooses to fully wean her baby at 8 months, she can begin gradually reducing breastfeeding sessions starting at 6 months, replacing them with solid foods. Additionally, consider the season for weaning—spring or fall is ideal, as the moderate temperatures make it easier for both mother and baby to adapt.
Breastfeeding Duration for Working Mothers: China's current maternity leave policy provides 98 days, meaning many new mothers must return to work during the breastfeeding period. For working mothers, breastfeeding until around one year is optimal.Working mothers can express milk by hand or using a pump into sterilized bottles before leaving for work, then store it in the refrigerator. When the baby is hungry and needs feeding, family members can gently warm the breast milk in hot water before offering it to the baby. Note that once refrigerated breast milk is warmed, it must be discarded immediately if not fed to the baby—do not hesitate to throw it away. Consuming repeatedly warmed breast milk can be harmful to the baby's health.
Continuing breastfeeding is also an excellent way for working mothers to maintain a close bond with their babies, compensating for time spent apart. Therefore, working mothers should prioritize breastfeeding schedules and avoid weaning prematurely due to work commitments.