Recent research shows mothers produce different levels of nutrients in their breast milk depending on whether they have a baby boy or girl. What does this mean for infant formula?
Baby boys and girls receive significantly different nutrients from their mothers’ breast milk, according to recent research.
The finding prompted researchers to suggest infant formula should be tailored to meet more specific nutritional needs of each gender, rather than a “one-size-fits-all” recipe.
Boys got 35 per cent more fat while girls get more calcium from breast milk, according to a Guardian Australia on research involving humans and monkeys that was presented at a science meeting in the US.
Scientists believe mothers may naturally produce different levels of nutrients to match different growth patterns of boys and girls. Levels of the stress hormone cortisol in breast milk were also different according to the baby’s gender.
However, more research is needed, according to the Harvard University scientist who presented the research.
VIDEO: See the most adorable footage of a monkey having a bath.
