Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

How could I measutre something that determines which is the best powder milk or breast feed milk .

Hi,

This is an interesting research question! It sounds like you are looking for a dependent variable for your experiment. The word “best” is a little subjective, but I am assuming you are trying to find which type of milk is healthier for babies. Some factors you may want to consider are the macronutrient breakdown (i.e. percentage of protein/fat/carbohydrates in milk), the vitamins present, and cholesterol levels. Additionally, you could investigate the differences in bioavailability, the effects on the immune system of the baby (antibodies present in the milk)and the potential for toxicity of the milk. Some reputable sites that have done studies experiments regarding breast milk vs formula milk include the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Medical Association (AMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Hope this helps!
~Catherine