Animal moms customize milk depending on baby's sex

A special blend of mother's milk just for girls? New research shows animal moms customize their milk in surprising ways depending on whether they have a boy or a girl.

The studies raise questions for human babies, too, about personalizing formula and even about the that's used for hospitalized preemies.

Pediatricians have long stressed that is best for babies. But Harvard University evolutionary biologist Katie Hinde says her research shows it's a myth that mother's milk is pretty standard.

She said Friday that monkeys make richer milk for sons but more milk for daughters. The girls' milk contains more calcium, presumably for their faster-maturing bones. There also are gender differences in how the monkeys respond to a stress hormone in mom's .

© 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Citation: Animal moms customize milk depending on baby's sex (2014, February 14) retrieved 29 March 2024 from https://phys.org/news/2014-02-animal-moms-customize-baby-sex.html
This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only.

Explore further

Cow moms favor daughters in milk production study

0 shares

Feedback to editors