Mother is sitting on a hospital bed nursing her newborn baby.

Study Summary

Factors Affecting the Composition of Expressed Fresh Human Milk.

 

Factors Affecting the Composition of Expressed Fresh Human Milk.

Pham Q, Patel P, Baban B, Yu J, Bhatia J.

Breastfeed Med. 2020

Conclusion

Breast milk is a dynamic fluid and – aside from the nutrients it contains – is composed of immune cells, stem cells and epithelial cells, as well as bacteria.1 The direct relationship between breastfeeding and the microbiome of the infant's intestine that is created when breastfeeding leads to the improvement and maintenance of homeostasis, as well as skin health and strength.2 Almost every nursing mother occasionally or regularly expresses milk whilst they are breastfeeding. Due to the balanced composition of breast milk, the method of expressing and the storage of expressed milk is therefore of particular relevance to ensure that all the components of breast milk remain intact.

Background

The composition of breast milk depends on a whole range of factors that influence not only the quantity of milk available but also its composition. These include:

  • Maternal genetic status
  • Maternal nutrition
  • Maternal health
  • Volume of milk produced
  • Expression of the milk
  • Drug use
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol
  • Caffeine intake
  • Use of medication by the mother
  • Factors in the newborn (e.g. birth weight)
  • Differences in the quality of the breast milk through the course of the day
  • Method of expressing
  • Method of storing expressed milk
All these factors must be taken into account, especially when nursing mothers (have to) express their milk (regularly).

Methodology

This study provides an overview of the composition of breast milk and the factors influencing it. If breast milk is expressed, this overview details the most important factors to ensure that the quality of the fresh, expressed breast milk can be retained as well as possible.

Key Findings

Breast milk is a very variable and complex fluid. So far, 200 different components have been identified in breast milk. Every newborn baby should be exclusively breastfed or fed on breast milk for four to six months. Between the infant's sixth month of life and their first birthday, they should continue to be fed on breast milk, whilst also being provided with supplementary food. If fresh breast milk is expressed, care must be taken to ensure this is done correctly and that the milk for feeding the baby is stored and prepared in the best possible way. 

1Witkowska-Zimny M, Kaminska-El-Hassan E. Cells of human breast milk. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2017;22:11
2Kaingade P et al. Breast Milk cell components and its beneficial effects on neonates: Need for breast milk cell banking. J Pediatr Neonatal Individ Med 2017;6:e060115

MAM Service

You can find the complete study at: mambaby.com/professionals