11/29/2025
Breast milk is still doing BIG things after 12 months….
Most people think breast milk “loses its benefits” after a year… But research says the opposite.
A 2025 (Kenney et al., 2025) study found that the core sugars in human milk (HMOs) continue actively supporting your toddler’s gut health and brain development well into the second year of life.
HMOs don’t just feed your baby.
They feed the good bacteria in their gut, the ones linked to:
✨ stronger immunity
✨ healthier digestion
✨ reduced inflammation
✨ better cognitive development
And here’s the fascinating part:
Even after age one, HMOs are still shaping the gut microbiome in ways formula simply cannot replicate.
They continue guiding your child’s immune and neural pathways during one of the most rapid periods of brain growth.
So no…
Breast milk doesn’t “turn to water.”
It transforms with your baby, and keeps delivering biological instructions their body knows exactly what to do with.
If you’re breastfeeding into toddlerhood, this research is one more reminder:
Your milk is still powerful.
Still active.
Still biologically designed for your child.
And still worth every drop.
