Breast milk contains everything a baby needs for growth and development. Its composition varies during the last weeks of pregnancy and also during the lactation period.
In general, we can speak of four types of breast milk: precolostrum, colostrum, transitional milk and mature milk. Each of these types of breast milk are good, so there is no one milk that is better than another. What happens is that breast milk changes according to the nutritional requirements of each moment.
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Precolostrum and preterm milk
Pre-colostrum is a mammary secretion produced during the third trimester of gestation. It is therefore the first milk secreted by the mammary glands. One of the benefits of precolostrum is that it offers immune protection to the baby, as they are usually at higher risk of infection in the first days of life.
In addition, those women who experience preterm labor will produce preterm milk to feed the preterm baby for approximately one month. This type of breast milk contains a higher amount of protein than mature milk, since the premature baby requires a higher protein intake.
However, if the preterm baby is born at less than 1.5 kg, preterm milk will not meet the nutritional requirements. In these cases, artificial milk supplements should be given.
Colostrum
This type of breast milk is secreted from the 12-18th week of pregnancy until the first days after delivery. Colostrum is thick, dense and yellowish in color due to the high concentration of carotenes. Its volume can vary from 2 to 20 ml per dose. This amount of colostrum is sufficient to meet the needs of the newborn.
One of the benefits of colostrum is that it facilitates the colonization of Lactobacillus bifidus, preventing the adherence of pathogens in the intestine. Likewise, this type of breast milk contains numerous enzymes that help the digestive system, aiding in the evacuation of the first stools. This will prevent neonatal jaundice, i.e., yellowish color in the baby. All this prepares the baby to receive breast milk.
Transitional milk
Around the fourth or fifth day of labor, the famous milk let-down occurs. This means that the woman will notice her breasts swell and begin to secrete what is known as transitional milk. It is a more liquid milk than colostrum, but not as much as mature milk.
The usual duration of transitional milk is approximately 15 days. During this time, about 600-700 ml/day are secreted.
In relation to its composition, transition milk has a higher content of fat, lactose and water-soluble vitamins than colostrum. The water-soluble protein content in transitional milk is also high. Therefore, this type of milk provides more calories to the newborn.
Mature milk
When about two weeks have elapsed from the time of delivery, breast milk begins to mature. However, it will not be considered mature milk until the baby is 4 weeks old.
Mature milk is pH neutral, white in color and much more liquid than other types of breast milk. In this case, mature milk is composed of 88% water, but the protein content is lower than in colostrum or transitional milk. However, the amount of carbohydrates and fats in mature milk is higher in order to provide more calories to the newborn.
Mature milk is light at the beginning of the baby's feeding, while at the end it becomes creamy due to the fat. This change in texture allows the newborn to first quench its thirst and then its appetite. Administration of mature milk is recommended until two years of age or older, together with complementary feeding.
FAQs from users
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is a yellowish fluid secreted by the mammary glands during pregnancy and in the first days after delivery, until milk comes in.
Colostrum is the first food the baby will receive. It is composed mainly of immunoglobulins, water, proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
How long can breast milk be stored in the fridge?
Breast milk can be stored in the refrigerator (0-4°C) for 5-8 days.
Does breast milk make you fat?
No. Breast milk has the right proportions of carbohydrates, proteins and fats for the proper development of the baby. Moreover, this composition changes as the baby's needs are met.
The same is true for the texture of the milk. At the beginning of the feeding, the milk is more liquid to quench thirst, and then it becomes creamier to quench the baby's appetite.
Are colostrum and transitional milk the same thing?
No. Transitional milk contains more lactose, fat, calories and water-soluble vitamins. On the other hand, its content in proteins, immunoglobulins and fat-soluble vitamins is lower than that of colostrum. Its production quantity also differs from that of colostrum, reaching approximately 600-700 mL per day.
Transitional milk is therefore the intermediate phase between colostrum and mature milk.
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References
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Chiara Peila, Diego Gazzolo, Enrico Bertino, Francesco Cresi, Alessandra Coscia. Influence of Diabetes during Pregnancy on Human Milk Composition. Nutrients. 2020 Jan 9;12(1):185. doi: 10.3390/nu12010185 (View)
Lauren M Dinour, Antoinette Pole. Evaluation of Breastfeeding App Features: Content Analysis Study. JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2022 Oct 26;5(4):e37581. doi: 10.2196/37581 (View)
Scarlet Salazar, Mervin Chávez, Xiomara Delgado, Thamara Pacheco, Eudis Rubio. Lactancia materna. Arch Venez Puer Ped v.72 n.4 Caracas dic. 2009 (View)
Timothy Heisel, Linet Nyaribo, Michael J Sadowsky, Cheryl A Gale. Breastmilk and NICU surfaces are potential sources of fungi for infant mycobiomes. Fungal Genet Biol. 2019 Jul;128:29-35. doi: 10.1016/j.fgb.2019.03.008. Epub 2019 Mar 21 (View)
FAQs from users: 'What is colostrum?', 'How long can breast milk be stored in the fridge?', 'Does breast milk make you fat?' and 'Are colostrum and transitional milk the same thing?'.
