Image: Shutterstock Fat is an
important macronutrient in an infant’s diet. Aside from being the major energy source in breast milk, fats and their metabolites aid in a baby’s brain development and growth. The amount of fat in human breast milk varies throughout the day (1). This alternation of breast milk fat levels is common and nothing to be worried about. However, there are ways to determine if
your baby is receiving adequate fat from breast milk. In this post, we have written about the same and how to increase fat in breast milk. Human breast milk composition undergoes subtle changes with each feed to meet the infant’s developmental needs. However, on average, the calorie and fat content ranges are as follows
(2). Nutrient Average Energy 70kcal/dL Fat 3.6g/dL kcal = kilocalories, dL = deciliter (1dL = 100ml) Source: Australian Breastfeeding Association The type of fat present in breast milk is dependent on the maternal diet. These fats may include
(3) (4) (5): The following factors affect the fat composition in breast milk. 1. Emptiness of the breast: The amount of fat usually fluctuates based on the emptiness of the breast. The emptier the breast, the higher is the
fat content. Moreover, hindmilk (the milk that comes towards the end) is richer in fat than foremilk (first-released milk) (3) (6). 2. Time of the feed: Breast milk released during the evenings and nights usually has more fat content. It occurs
due to the gradual accumulation of fat in the milk throughout the day. Babies may feed less frequently during the day since they nap, providing them with milk with more fat content in the evening and night (7) (8). 3. Nutritional status of the mother: The types and amount of fat a mother consumes
pass on to the infant through the milk. Therefore, it is essential that nursing mothers consume foods with a healthy fatty acid composition. The following steps may help you increase the fat and nutrient content of breast milk. Ensure that your baby finishes the milk from one breast before switching to the other side. The baby will get the watery foremilk and fat-rich hindmilk. If you switch to the other side, your breasts may fill with foremilk again, reducing its overall fat content. In case you need to switch, use a breast pump to store the hindmilk and feed the baby later. Gentle breast compression before and during feed may
help move the fattier milk forward and clear the milk ducts (9). It may also help empty the breast better and improve its fat content. You may read more about breast or lactation massage
here. 3. Consume a balanced dietA healthy maternal fat intake could help ensure that breast milk has healthy fat content and quality. The adequate monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid content in breast milk could help in the baby’s brain development. In addition, the consumption of lean meat, egg, flaxseed, vegetable oils, sunflower seeds, flax seeds, soybean, and fatty fish could improve the nutritional quality of human breast milk (10). Why Is Breast Milk Important For Your Baby?Breast milk provides the required amounts of nutrients that an infant needs for healthy weight gain and development. It is the best food for babies since it is easy to digest and customized as per their nutritional needs. Breast milk is slightly thick and nutrient-dense during the initial three to four days after birth. In addition, this type of milk, called the colostrum, is rich in immunological components such as lactoferrin, antibodies, and leukocytes that help reduce the risk of several common childhood illnesses in breastfed infants (3) (11). Breast milk also has several psychological benefits as it helps the mothers and infants bond. The hormone oxytocin released during breastfeeding naturally calms the nursing mother and the infant (12). 1. Does sunflower lecithin increase fat in breast milk? Yes. Lecithin supplements increase the amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids in breast milk. Therefore, some mothers take it to prevent milk ducts from blocking (13). 2. Does the fat in my milk affect my baby’s growth? The fat in your milk is essential for babies’ brain development, absorption of vitamins, and energy. Long-chain fatty acids are helpful for the development of the brain, retina, and nervous system (14). Altering fat content in human milk is nothing to be concerned about. Instead, observe your breast milk pattern and your baby’s fullness to grasp an idea of whether your baby is well-fed or not. Maintaining a journal on the infant’s feeding patterns and breast emptiness and visiting a lactation consultant could help you better understand your breast milk’s fat content. Infographic: Importance Of Fats For BabiesNow that you know how to ensure your baby gets all the fat from your breast milk, you may want to know why fat is so important for babies? This infographic presents the various reasons why fat is vital for the healthy growth and development of the baby. Illustration: MomJunction Design Team
Key Pointers
References:MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
Was this article helpful? The following two tabs change content below.
Sindusha is a clinical nutritionist with over two years of experience in diverse fields of nutrition. She did her Masters in Food Science and Nutrition from Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science and Higher Education for Women and has qualified UGC-NET. She interned as a quality control analyst and as a dietitian during her graduation. She was a part of several... more Jessica Madden is a pediatrician, neonatologist, lactation consultant, and mother of four, who has been taking care of newborns since 2001. She works as a neonatologist in the NICU at Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio, and founded Primrose Newborn Care, a newborn medicine and “4th trimester” home-visiting and telemedicine practice, in 2018. Dr. Madden is a Fellow... more How can I increase the fat content in my breast milk?Here are some tips to increase the amount of fat in your breast milk:. Breastfeed with one breast or pump out the foremilk when feeding with both breasts. ... . Massage your breasts. ... . Eat a balanced diet. ... . Increase the frequency of feeding sessions. ... . Pump some breast milk out. ... . Consult a lactation expert.. Why is my breast milk not fatty?The amount of fat in human milk changes dramatically during each feeding and throughout the day, since fat content depends on the degree of emptyness of the breast (empty breast = high fat, full breast = low fat). The average fat content of human milk is 1.2 grams/oz.
What time of day is breast milk the fattiest?Breastmilk at night
For most mothers, breastmilk will gradually increase in fat content throughout the day. During the evening, young babies often cluster feed, taking in frequent feeds of this fattier milk, which tends to satisfy them enough to have their longest stretch of sleep.
|