Moreover, human milk is a living substance which constantly changes in composition in order to meet the changing developmental needs of each infant. 

The milk produced by the mother of a premature infant is quite different to the milk produced by the mother of a mature infant 

Some other important facts about human breastmilk are that it: 

• meets all the infant's nutritional needs in the first 6 months of life and remains the most vital food for a further six months 

• contains Omega 3 - long chain fatty acids essential for superior brain development 

• contains antibodies which enhance the infant's ability to resist infection 

• changes constantly both during a particular feed and from day to day in order to meet the infant's developmental requirements 

• is perhaps the only food produced and delivered to the consumer without creating any pollution, unneccessary packaging and waste 

Health Factors 

Each year through out the world millions of babies fall ill because they are not breastfed. 
The World Health Organisation estimates that more than 1.5 million infant deaths in the developing world could be prevented if those infants were breastfed. 

In developed countries, such as Australia, the incidence of gastro-intestinal illness and certain allergies is lower in breastfed infants. 

There is a direct relationship between the antibody protection of human breastmilk and the lowered incidence of gastro-intestinal illness, ear infections, eczema, upper respiratory tract illness, insulin-dependent diabeties, neurodevelopmental impairment and SIDS in breastfed infants.  In response to external pathogens, a mother's own antibodies are produced. These antibodies are then passed on to protect the infant via breastmilk as infants are unable to produce antibodies of their own. Artificial milk formula offers NO such protection. 

By increasing the proportion of mothers who are breastfeeding at three months from 60% to 80%, $4.1 million could be saved from the decreased incidence of gastro-intestinal illness, $2.8 million from the decreased incidence of necrotising enterocolitis and $0.6 million from the decreased risk of eczema.  

Caregivers of formula-fed infants need to be vigilant in making up the feed ensuring the correct dosage of dry powder. Scrupulous attention is required in disinfecting the feeding equipment used in feeding an artificially fed infant. Whilst access to disinfecting resources may not be such an issue in Australia, such access is critical in developing countries where poor sanitary conditions expose infants to many diseases. 

In contrast, breastmilk is free from harmful bacteria, preservative free, portable and is served conveniently "on tap" at the correct temperature.