HELP

Mammary Amylase is needed for the digestion of the more complex glucose
polymers which are converted to monosaccharides.

Alpha-amylase has high concentrations in colostrum  This starch-digestive
substance is 10-60 times higher in human milk than in normal human serum

Starch is one example of a glucose polymer.  Amylase is not usually well
developed in the infant at birth and is stored in the pancreas until the
baby is 6 months old when amylase is released.

My question is  I did not think starch was in human milk.  Is It?  If not
why so much amylase?  Is this why babies are  able to tolerate pap and
early introduction of cereals in some cultures including western culture.

If the infant is unable to digest starch due to late release from the
pancreas (6 months) should anybody give cereals to babies before then?
I can't find anything in Lawrence (l994) or Riordan and Auerbach (l993)
I am correcting exam papers and need help in the next 24 hours

Thank you

Beverley Walker
Melbourne Australia

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