Breast milk nutrient content and infancy growth

Abstract

AimBenefits of human breast milk (HM) in avoiding rapid infancy weight gain and later obesity could relate to its nutrient content. We tested the hypothesis that differential HM total calorie content (TCC) or macronutrient contents may be associated with infancy growth.Methods HM hindmilk samples were collected at ages 4–8 weeks from 614 mothers participating in a representative birth cohort, with repeated infancy anthropometry. HM triglyceride (fat), lipid analytes and lactose (carbohydrate) were measured by 1H‐NMR, and protein content by the Dumas method. TCC and %macronutrients were determined.ResultsIn 614 HM samples, fat content was as follows: [median(IQR)]: 2.6 (1.7–3.6) g/100 mL, carbohydrate: 8.6 (8.2–8.8) g/100 mL, protein: 1.2 (1.1–1.2) g/100 mL; TCC: 61.8 (53.7–71.3) kcal/100 mL. HM of mothers exclusively breast feeding vs. mixed feeding was more calorific with higher %fat, lower %carbohydrate and lower %protein. Higher HM TCC was associated with lower 12‐months body mass index (BMI)/adiposity, and lower 3–12 months gains in weight/BMI. HM %fat was inversely related to 3–12 months gains in weight, BMI and adiposity, whereas %carbohydrate was positively related to these measures. HM %protein was positively related to 12‐months BMI.Conclusion HM analysis showed wide variation in %macronutrients. Although data on milk intakes were unavailable, our findings suggest functional relevance of HM milk composition to infant growth.

Differences in dietary composition between infants introduced to complementary foods using Baby‐led weaning and traditional spoon feeding

“…This finding challenges the assumption that baby‐led weaned babies are not receiving nutrient‐dense foods such as protein when solids are first introduced . However, it should also be noted that babies can get most of their protein requirements from milk at this stage , with the recommended intake of breast or formula milk providing the majority of protein needed . Milk should still form the major part of the diet through the first year, and breast milk intake at 7 months has been estimated at 875 mL per day (93% of kcal required) .…”

Transitioning Preterm Infants From Parenteral Nutrition: A Comparison of 2 Protocols

“…Since energy and protein intakes are more variable in EBM and thus adequate intakes to promote better growth are less assured compared with formula-fed intants, 20 we looked at the effects of our intervention specifically on growth outcomes of EBM-fed infants. Growth in this subset also improved, with better growth velocity during the transition phase mainly related to improved parenteral protein and nonprotein energy intakes.…”

Nutrition During Pregnancy, Lactation and Early Childhood and its Implications for Maternal and Long-Term Child Health: The Early Nutrition Project Recommendations

“…However, in rare cases, exclusive breastfeeding may also induce excessive weight gain. In some cases, this was observed in association with a higher maternally produced protein content in the breastmilk than normally expected [101][102][103]. Overall, breastfeeding is associated with a modest risk reduction for later overweight and obesity in childhood and adult life by about 12-14% or more [104][105][106][107], although residual confounding cannot be excluded [20].…”