Breast-milk scientific research contributes to improvement of breast milk quality and development of human civilization / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Breast milk, the product of mammalian evolution, provides infants with not only vital nutrients, but also an array of nourishing contents, including bioactive substances, microorganisms, and cells. Being a crucial stage of reproductive health, breastfeeding serves as the primary means of nutrient absorption during early life. However, the scientific evaluation of its health effects remains inaccurate. The study of breast milk has emerged as a new interdisciplinary research hotspot, offering a new paradigm for explorations in life health, disease prevention, clinical treatment, social ethics, and economic advancement. This paper reviewed and discussed the research progress of breast milk science both domestically and internationally and the gap in between, and proposed a promising perspective for future research and development.