How Many Calories Are In Breastmilk?

By: Sabrina Granniss, IBCLC

5 min

Overview

Breast milk is complex and changes in composition and calories based on the following: Breast milk composition: Calorie needs of babies in the first year of life: (8) Expected weight gain for breastfed babies (1) Diet and breast milk Prenatal supplements while breastfeeding: Lactation supplements while breastfeeding: In Summary

Breast milk has everything your baby needs to meet their nutritional needs for the first 6 months of life. It continues to be the primary source of food through their first year of life. Introduction of solid foods begins around 6 months of age, based on signs of readiness, but remains secondary or complimentary to breast milk. Beyond one year, breastmilk continues to have many benefits for both mom and baby and is recommended until 2 years old or longer if mutually desired.

Breast milk is complex and changes in composition and calories based on the following:

Stage of lactation
Between day and night
How often the baby nurses
During each feeding
Nutritional status and diet of the parent

Breast milk composition:

Colostrum - colostrum begins to be made during pregnancy and is the first milk your baby has when they are born. It is very concentrated and high in nutrients that provide antibodies, good bacteria and oligosaccharides, protecting the infant from illness and developing their immune system. Colostrum is high in protein and lower in fat. It has 10 times more beta carotene than mature milk.

*per 100 ml of colostrum(3)
3.7g protein
2.9g fat
5.3g lactose
58 kcal calories or energy

Transitional milk - between 2-4 days postpartum through the first 2 weeks postpartum, milk begins to transition from colostrum to mature milk. It increases in volume and water content. The fat and lactose increase, perfectly designed for the baby as they are growing fast. This transitional milk has more calories than colostrum.

Mature milk(2) - After milk transitions to mature milk around 3-4 weeks postpartum, the rate of change in breast milk composition slows, but it is a live substance, so there is still variation between people, during a feed, and over time. Fat content in milk continues to increase, and the fatty acid profile of the milk is affected by the mother’s diet.

0.9 g/dL protein
3.5 g/dL fat
6.7 g/dL glucose - the main carbohydrate in breastmilk
65-70 kcal/dL calories or energy

Preterm milk - Our bodies are amazing for providing what our babies need to survive and thrive. Breast milk is higher in protein, sodium and chloride when babies are born preterm. The milk contains lower amounts of lactose. (5) A mother will likely need to hand express or pump her milk to give to the baby until they are able to feed at the breast. Removing milk every 2-3 hours around the clock will signal for milk to continue being made for the baby and help establish a milk supply sufficient to meet your baby’s needs.

Calorie needs of babies in the first year of life: (8)

How many calories a baby needs depends on their age, weight & length, and sex. Boys have slightly higher caloric requirements than girls. Although solid foods are introduced around 6 months, breast milk remains the main food source for the baby through the first year of life.

Boys:

1-3 months = 472-572 calories per day
4-6 months = 548-645 calories per day
7-9 months = 668-746 calories per day
10-12 months = 793–844 calories per day

Girls:

1-3 months = 438-521 calories per day
4-6 months = 508-593 calories per day
7-9 months = 608-678 calories per day
10-12 months = 717-768 calories per day

Expected weight gain for breastfed babies (1)

Babies lose an average of 5 - 7% of their birth weight in the first few days after birth
Losing up to 10% of their birth weight is considered acceptable
Baby’s weight at 24 hours old may be a more accurate representation of true birth weight
Babies lose the most weight in the first 2 days after birth
Your baby should regain their birth weight by the time they are 2 weeks old
During the first 3 months, your baby will gain about 1 ounce per day
By 4 months old, your baby will double their birth weight
From ages 6 - 12 months old, your baby will gain about 3 - 5 ounces per week
Your baby will triple their birth weight by about 1 year old
Boys gain weight faster than girls
Babies grow about 10 inches in length during the first year of life

Diet and breast milk

Although there are variations in breast milk, it does remain fairly stable. The nutrients of breast milk come from the mother’s diet. (6) Although mothers do not need to increase the calories in their diet by much, they do need to focus on increasing the nutrient density of their diet. The foods that make up a mom’s diet don’t have much effect on the composition of her breast milk, but it does impact the quality of her milk.

Drinking homemade broths made from vegetables and seaweed can increase the vitamins and minerals in your diet. Try using broth when you cook your meals by adding it to stir-frys, making stews and soups and using it as your base for cooking rice.

Add healthy fats to your diet, including walnuts, avocado oil, olive oil, sesame seeds and oil, and chia seeds. These foods change the fatty acid profile of your milk, improving the quality of the fats in your milk. (4)

Prenatal supplements while breastfeeding:

While supplements do not replace a nutrient-rich diet, they can help fill in any gaps to ensure you are getting what you and your baby need. It is recommended to continue taking your prenatal vitamins throughout lactation. Prenatal vitamins help replenish vitamin and mineral stores that may have been depleted during pregnancy.

Taking your prenatal vitamins after your baby is born and during the entire time you make milk is essential. Your vitamin and mineral status impacts your milk production as well as your milk quality. Prenatal vitamins in the postpartum period help keep you functioning at your best and better able to meet your baby’s needs. They ensure your baby gets everything they need to thrive through childhood and beyond.

Lactation supplements while breastfeeding:

Galactagogues can help boost your milk production, add nutritional value and improve the quality of your milk.

Herbs like anise and fennel are digestive herbs helping with digestive issues and improving gut health, impacting milk supply.

Find these herbs in:

Nettle, Moringa and alfalfa are nutrient powerhouses that boost overall nutrition, milk quality and production.

Find these herbs in:

Probiotics add good bacteria to your gut, and your diet of healthy foods feeds the bacteria helping them to multiply and keep you healthy. The strain Lactobacillus fermentum is found in human milk and contributes to breast health. It supports healthy lactation and can help prevent and relieve breast pain, discomfort and dysbiosis. (7)

Find this probiotic strain in:

Lacta-Biotic

In Summary

Breast milk is a superior source of nutrition for babies, providing everything they need for the first year and beyond. Its composition changes throughout lactation, with colostrum being the initial concentrated and nutrient-rich milk, transitioning to mature milk with increasing fat content. Mothers can improve milk quality and production by incorporating nutrient-dense foods like homemade broths and healthy fats into their diet and taking prenatal vitamins and lactation supplements like Galactagogues and probiotics. Breastfeeding offers numerous benefits for both mother and baby, fostering a healthy start in life and supporting their well-being.