Human milk is uniquely suited to meet the needs of infants. Its composition naturally adapts to support healthy growth and development during the first months of life. For this reason, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, followed by continued breastfeeding alongside appropriate complementary foods up to two years and beyond.
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Breast milk provides both immediate and long-lasting health advantages. Its complex makeup offers:
Breastfeeding also offers important benefits to maternal health:
The first 1,000 days of life, from conception to age of two, are foundational for long-term health. Breastfeeding supports this critical period not only nutritionally, but also by fostering a deep emotional connection between mother and child. This bond can positively influence the emotional and psychological development of both.
On a physiological level, human milk helps shape the infant’s immune system10, supports the development of a healthy gut11 , and may even influence taste preferences in later childhood12. These effects underscore the profound and lasting influence of breastfeeding on health and well-being.
Breast milk remains a source of continuous inspiration for Danone's nutritional research. Rather than trying to replicate it entirely, we focus on translating its most impactful benefits into nutritional innovations.
This includes:
Lipids constitute nearly 50% of human milk’s energy content, but their role extends far beyond caloric supply.
These molecules are critical for brain development, where long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) like DHA and arachidonic acid integrate into neuronal membranes, supporting cerebral plasticity13.
Moreover, complex lipids such as phospholipids, gangliosides, and sphingolipids, abundant in the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) act as structural components of brain tissue and modulate cell signaling pathways essential for neurodevelopment13.
50%
of human milk’s energy content is provided by lipids
Human milk’s lipid architecture also plays a pivotal role in immune modulation and intestinal health. The MFGM, a trilayered structure surrounding fat globules, contains bioactive compounds that resist digestive enzymes, delivering immune-protective effects against pathogens14. Additionally, MFGM lipids and their metabolites regulate gut microbiota composition, strengthen intestinal barrier function, and reduce inflammation, lowering risks of conditions like necrotizing enterocolitis in preterm infants14.
A key distinction lies in the structural organization of lipids. Human milk’s large fat globules with MFGM differ starkly from standard infant formulas, which generally use smaller, protein-stabilized lipid droplets lacking this bioactive membrane15. This structural difference impacts bioavailability: MFGM lipids are digested more slowly, ensuring sustained nutrient release and efficient absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and LCPUFAs. Emerging research aims to replicate this architecture in formulas, with studies showing that MFGM-enriched formulations improve cognitive outcomes and immune responses in infants, bridging gaps between breastfed and formula-fed groups15.
This is why Danone's innovations in infant nutrition now focus on mimicking human milk’s lipid profile and structure.
Understanding how infants digest and absorb nutrients is central to developing effective nutritional products.
To optimize our formulas, we employ advanced in vitro digestion models that simulate the infant gastrointestinal tract, enabling precise study of nutrient bioavailability. Key findings highlight the importance of lipid droplet structure:
By replicating human milk’s lipid architecture, our formulations narrow functional gaps between formula and breast milk, ensuring nutrients are delivered in bioavailable forms that support infant health.
Behind Danone's research is a dedicated team of experts in pediatrics, microbiology, immunology, nutrition, and systems biology. Spread across multiple research centers worldwide, they work closely with universities, hospitals, and other partners to conduct rigorous studies on human milk.
Since the 1970s, our teams have contributed to significant advancements in the field, including the identification and characterization of HMOs, the study of immune-active proteins, and the analysis of lipid complexity.
This legacy of research has not only shaped our own product development, but also contributed to the broader scientific community. By continuously publishing in peer-reviewed journals and collaborating with leading academic institutions, we help build a shared understanding of how early life nutrition impacts lifelong health.
This long-standing commitment has led to numerous breakthroughs, including:
Today, our commitment to human milk research continues to evolve. We use cutting-edge technologies such as multi-omics, metabolomics, and advanced bioinformatics to explore the intricate relationships between milk composition and infant health outcomes.
These tools allow us to:
This next generation of research is not only deepening our understanding of human milk, but also shaping the future of early life nutrition, helping every child, everywhere, grow up healthy and strong.
