The Longitudinal Association Between Human Milk Composition and Nutritional Status of Exclusively Breastfeeding Mothers

Abstract

Purpose: The presented study investigated the human milk composition changes associated with the nutritional status of exclusively breastfeeding mothers. Methods: A total of 59 volunteer mothers whose infants were followed at a well-child outpatient clinic were included in the study on their first visit between March and September 2018. During monthly visits, anthropometric measurements and body composition of the mothers were assessed, energy and macronutrients of human milk were analyzed. A 24-hour dietary recall was collected every 15 days. Results: A statistically significant downward trend for total protein (tau-b = -0.208; p < 0.001) and true protein (tau-b = -0.230; p < 0.001), and upward trend for total lactose (tau-b = 0.119; p = 0.032) was determined in human milk of the duration of first 6 months. A weak positive correlation was found between maternal body fat percentage and human milk lactose content, and between fat-free mass and true protein content in the first month of lactation. It was stated that there was a weak negative correlation between the percentage of protein and carbohydrate intake of the mothers in the 1st and 6th months and the energy, protein and fat composition of human milk. Conclusions: It was concluded that the macronutrient components of human milk had a trend in the first 6 months of lactation and the composition was affected by the mothers' fat mass and protein intake, especially in the first month.