Milk Composition with Older Nurslings

Recently I had my milk tested by Lactation Lab. I have a 20 month old and 4 year old (almost 5... eek!) who both nurse. The current research shows that after a year, the composition of breastmilk becomes more fatty and the carbohydrate concentration decreases.

My milk sample was consistent with this. My milk had a whopping 26 calories per ounce (!). The typical infant formula or younger infant breastmilk has around 20 calories per ounce and whole milk has about 19 calories per ounce.

My milk also had 1.5 grams of fat per ounce, compared with an average of 1.3 grams in infant breastmilk or formula, and 1 gram in whole milk.

This makes more feel so great about providing this nutrition to my boys! THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO NUTRITIONAL REASON TO SWITCH TO COW'S MILK FROM BREASTFEEDING AT 1 YEAR OLD. (Or ever). It is an option, but not a requirement.

Anxiety about milk supply or composition is extremely common.

Ultimately your baby's weight trajectory and diaper output are the most basic and informative ways to measure if you baby is getting what they need. If you are worried about your baby's intake I can't recommend highly enough to have a one on one consultation with a lactation professional.

In some cases doing an analysis of your milk might be beneficial and it is awesome that Lactation Lab has this option that you can do at home!

If you have sampled your milk or you do it in the future will you let me know your results? I would love to know how it goes and whether it helped you make adjustments in your diet that helped your baby.

Nurse on, mama!