Milk composition—the infant human diet

A mature human infant is able to suckle within minutes of birth and thus begin to safeguard his future. Having been protected within the uterus from a potentially hostile environment, after birth he must begin to adapt to this environment with maternal help. In the continuum of care and protection from conception until early childhood independence, suckling and lactation will play a key role in successful child rearing. The mother provides, or should continue to provide, the protection and nutrition required by her infant after birth.