| <p style="text-align:justify;">Human milk forms the primary source of nutrition for infants. It contains about 88.5% of water and 11.5% of solids. The breast milk secreted before parturition and in initial post natal period is termed as colostrum at rate of 40ml a day. It also contains lactose, lactalabumin, iron, Vitamin A and D and minerals. It also contains several antibodies (Immunoglobulins- IgA), phagocytes, macrophages important for the protection of infants from microbial attack.<ref name="ref43"></ref> The colostrum contains low fat content but more protein. During the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> weeks after birth there is change in composition of breast milk where it becomes rich in fats and sugars and its calorific value also increases. This is termed as transitional milk. By the time baby is 3 weeks old, the milk attains mature composition making it high in fats, sugars, essential amino acids, is iso-osmotic with plasma with high calorific value.<ref name="ref44"></ref> The composition of human breast milk can be expressed in table as given below (Table No. 4)-</p> | | <p style="text-align:justify;">Human milk forms the primary source of nutrition for infants. It contains about 88.5% of water and 11.5% of solids. The breast milk secreted before parturition and in initial post natal period is termed as colostrum at rate of 40ml a day. It also contains lactose, lactalabumin, iron, Vitamin A and D and minerals. It also contains several antibodies (Immunoglobulins- IgA), phagocytes, macrophages important for the protection of infants from microbial attack.<ref name="ref43"></ref> The colostrum contains low fat content but more protein. During the 2<sup>nd</sup> and 3<sup>rd</sup> weeks after birth there is change in composition of breast milk where it becomes rich in fats and sugars and its calorific value also increases. This is termed as transitional milk. By the time baby is 3 weeks old, the milk attains mature composition making it high in fats, sugars, essential amino acids, is iso-osmotic with plasma with high calorific value.<ref name="ref44"></ref> The composition of human breast milk can be expressed in table as given below (Table No. 4)-</p> |