Milk macronutrient levels during the first month of term and preterm Nigerian mothers

The lactose levels of the transition milk of term mothers were significantly higher compared with preterm mothers (5.87 versus 5.32 g/100 ml). The same trends were found in colostrum and mature milk. These differences were not significant. The protein contents of the colostrum in term mothers were significantly lower than in their preterm counterparts (1.80 versus 2.20 g/100 ml). Again the same trend (not significant) was showed in transition and mature milk. A significantly lower level of fat in milk of term mothers than of preterm mothers was found in all 3 types of milk (1.84 versus 2.26; 2.16 versus 2.95; 2.72 versus 3.32 in colostrum, transition milk and mature milk respectively). This study showed differences in the macronutrients measured in the different types of milk, hence term babies in Baby care units should be fed term milk and preterm babies with preterm milk.