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Human milk is an excellent food for newborn babies, but it is not tremendously high in which of the following nutrients?

1) Protein
2) Carbohydrates
3) Fat
4) Calcium

User CMTV
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1 Answer

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Final answer:

Human milk is not exceptionally high in calcium. It provides essential nutrients and immunological protection for newborns but should not be substituted with cow's milk due to the difficult digestion of cow's milk proteins by infants.

Step-by-step explanation:

Human milk is a vital source of nourishment for newborns, providing essential nutrients, immunoglobulins for infection protection, and energy for growth. However, human breast milk is not tremendously high in calcium. Human milk contains proteins and carbohydrates and is rich, particularly in lactose which helps in the baby's development. It also contains fats, particularly in the hindmilk that is delivered towards the end of feeding to satisfy the infant's appetite. Interestingly, colostrum, the first form of milk produced immediately following delivery, plays an important role in boosting the newborn's immune system.

Moreover, it's important to note that cow's milk should never be given to an infant, as the proteins in cow's milk are more difficult for infants to digest. A healthy baby may require significant amounts of breast milk daily, and this need is met through a combination of the mother's diet and energy reserves built up during pregnancy.

User Hugh
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