A study of the composition of human milk in the later periods of lactation and a comparison with that of early milk

Abstract

The percentages of both Ca and P are less in the early weeks, rising to a maximum at the end of the 2nd month, then slowly declining to the end of the 10th month. The percentage of ash is highest during the first 2 weeks and then gradually declines until the last few months, at which time there is usually a rapid decrease. The percentages of the CaO and P2O5 in the ash gradually rise and reach a maximum during the last months. The percentage of protein decreases rapidly after parturition for about a month and then gradually until it reaches a value of about 0.934. The sugar value is lowest in early milk and gradually rises to a rather constant level.