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Overview of Nutrients in Human Milk
Daphna K Dror1, Lindsay H Allen1
1US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Western Human Nutrition Research Center, Davis, CA.
Advances in Nutrition (Bethesda, Md.)
|May 31, 2018
Summary
Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended by the WHO for infant health. This review examines human milk nutrient levels, their changes during lactation, and factors influencing them to support infant and maternal nutrient sufficiency.
Area of Science:
- Human milk composition
- Nutritional science
- Infant health
Background:
- The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months of life.
- Optimal infant health and development depend on adequate nutrition from human milk.
- Understanding human milk's nutrient profile is crucial for supporting breastfeeding mothers and infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on human milk micro- and macronutrient concentrations.
- To describe how nutrient levels change with lactational stage and maternal factors.
- To evaluate the impact of maternal intake, status, and supplementation on human milk nutrient content.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of existing research on human milk composition.
- Analysis of trends in nutrient concentrations across different stages of lactation.
- Examination of factors influencing nutrient levels, including maternal nutrition and supplementation.
Main Results:
- Human milk nutrient concentrations vary significantly with the stage of lactation.
- Maternal dietary intake, nutritional status, and supplementation directly impact milk nutrient composition.
- Specific micronutrients and macronutrients show distinct fluctuation patterns.
Conclusions:
- Knowledge of human milk nutrient dynamics is essential for effective breastfeeding support.
- Interventions targeting maternal nutrition can improve human milk quality and ensure nutrient sufficiency for both mother and infant.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate nutrient interactions and optimize breastfeeding outcomes.
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