Infants fed with milk supplements enriched with DHA had a lower incidence of bronchiolitis and bronchitis during the first year of age (75). The high level of 2-AG cannabinoids in human milk may modulate the infant’s food intake, and this also can be influenced by the weight of the mother. then the infant is exposed to circadian cues from their mother. Also, milk components of fat, proteins, amino acids, and endogenous cannabinoids, among others, have a markedly different concentration between day and night. In the present review, we give an overview of nutritive and non-nutritive components and their daily rhythms in human milk and explore their physiological importance for the infant. Finally, we highlight some interventions with a circadian approach that emphasize the importance of circadian rhythms in the newborn for their survival, proper growth, and development. It is estimated that ~600,000 deaths/year are due to suboptimal breastfeeding. It is advisable to increase the rate of exclusive breastfeeding, during the day and night, as was established by the evolution of our species. studies have demonstrated an effect of MEL on the phagocytic activity of mononuclear and polymorphonuclear lymphocytes from colostrum. When exposed to synthesis of MEL in the ratpineal gland (72). This information is relevant, as cesarean section delivery in humans increased the production of TNF- in colostrum, in parallel with a suppression of the nocturnal MEL increase (50). This can lead to an inflammatory process and to a disruption of the beneficial actions of MEL in the newborn. There are reports that the addition of nucleotides to formula milk significantly increased weight gain (73) and the rate of the occipitofrontal head circumference gain in infants 2 months of age (74). Infants fed with milk supplements enriched with DHA had a lower incidence of Chloroxylenol bronchiolitis and bronchitis during the first year of age (75). The high level of 2-AG cannabinoids in human milk may modulate the infant’s food intake, and this also can be influenced by the weight of the mother. Milk of overweight and obese mothers has a larger concentration of 2-AG and this may have an impact on the body mass index of the infant because of the effect of endocannabinoids on food intake and the hedonic properties of food (33, 76, 77). Overweight mothers give birth to overweight babies (78). Cannabinoids are involved in development, as the administration of an antagonist of the CB1 receptor within the first day after birth in mice; inhibited milk ingestion due to an impairment of the pup’s suckling response (79). This evidence and that cannabinoids are one of Itga1 the few compounds in human milk with diurnal variation; suggest that they play an important role for the infant. It is noteworthy that breastfeeding also has important benefits for the mother, as it reduces the risk of ovarian cancer, mammary cancer, and postpartum depression (80). Effects of Environmental Light/Dark Cycle on Neonates The importance of circadian rhythms for the wellbeing of infants has been reported in preterm infants in a neonatal intensive care unit. After parturition, premature infants were separated from their mothers and usually did not ingest their mother’s milk. The infant’s pineal in humans does not secrete MEL, and those infants were maintained in constant light conditions (81). This strategy severely affected their survival. Infants in this facility maintained in constant light had a lower weight gain, spent more days on the ventilator and on phototherapy, displayed lower motor coordination, and showed a delayed response to be fed orally, in contrast to babies maintained in a cycled light-dark Chloroxylenol condition (81). In another study, a personalized helmet over the head of the infant that covered their eyes but permitted airflow was used to maintain 12:12 h, light/dark condition, and infants were fed with mother’s milk. Infants under this procedure showed faster weight gain, improved oxygen saturation, more rapidly developed a melatonin rhythm, and attained a shorter discharge stay in the hospital [(45); Figure 2B]. These studies are examples of Chloroxylenol the importance of circadian rhythms after birth in infant. Fortunately, the compelling evidence of the benefits of exposing premature infants to a light/dark cycle is leading neonatal care societies to recommend this practice for clinical applications (82). Conclusion The complexity of milk stands in sharp contrast to the concept of simple food for the infant. The.
