Final answer:
Cow's milk is not nutritionally similar to human milk and is not suitable for neonatal digestion. The proteins in cow's milk are difficult for infants to digest, and it lacks the necessary balances of lactose, fat, and minerals found in human milk.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cow's Milk vs. Human Milk for Neonatal Digestion
Is cow's milk nutritionally similar to human milk and acceptable for neonatal digestion? The answer is no. Table 28.3 clearly states that cow's milk should never be given to an infant due to its unsuitable composition and the difficulty infants have in digesting its proteins. Human milk undergoes a special process; after the third postpartum day, the mother produces transitional milk, which is an intermediate stage between colostrum and mature milk. From the 10th day onwards, she produces mature milk that is tailored to the baby's growing needs. Unlike cow's milk, human milk contains higher levels of lactose, necessary fats, and appropriately balanced proteins and minerals for an infant's digestive system. Moreover, breastfeeding also aids in the development of the infant's immune defenses by providing immunoglobulins and helping to establish the bacterial flora in the neonatal gastrointestinal tract.
It's important to note that the proteins in cow's milk are particularly difficult for an infant to metabolize. Newborns have immature digestive systems, and cow's milk proteins can cause distress and are less favorable for their development compared to the proteins found in human milk. Additionally, cow's milk lacks the necessary components like foremilk and hindmilk that serve distinct functions in hydrating and satiating the infant, respectively.