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Breastfeeding: New research reveals how thyroid hormones change in breast milk (but they are not found in infant formula)
QUICK SUMMARY: A new study reveals thyroid hormones are present in higher levels in early lactation. One thyroid hormone (thyroxine) is higher in term vs preterm breast milk. And one crucial funding — these thyroid hormones were not found in infant formula.
As you know, breast milk is incredibly complex. It contains all the components needed to support a baby’s healthy growth and development.
Breast milk contains lactose, lipids, proteins and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) which are special indigestible sugars which feed the beneficial bacteria in the baby’s gut — for more on HMOs in breast milk read my recent blog-post.
Human milk also contains vitamins, minerals, live cells, antibodies, enzymes, and lots more….. including hormones.
This blog-post will hopefully give you more of an understanding on the types and importance of different hormones found in human milk.
What are hormones?
Very simply, hormones are chemicals that carry messages to organs and tissues telling them what the body needs to do.
