Nutritional Content of Breast Milk

Macronutrient Breakdown

• Protein concentration is markedly higher in colostrum than mature milk and decreases as lactation progresses, with fat exhibiting the highest variability of all macronutrients 1
• Fat content can vary 2-3 fold between foremilk and hindmilk within a single feeding, and is the main source of energy in human milk 1

Total Energy Content

• Human milk contains approximately 60-70 kcal/100ml, with fat providing the majority of calories in breast milk 1, 2

Important Clinical Considerations

• Breast milk composition varies significantly based on stage of lactation, time of day, and position within a feeding, which may impact fortification goals for preterm infants 1, 2