Nutrient intake by breast-fed infants during the first five days after birth
C. E. Casey, M. R. Neifert, J. M. Seacat and M. C. Neville
The intakes of milk and specific nutrients during the first 120 hours after
birth were measured in 11 full-term, breast-fed infants. Infants were test
weighed at all feeds using an electronic balance, and milk samples were
obtained from both breasts one to three times daily. Milk was analyzed for
levels of fat, protein, lactose, calcium, sodium, and potassium; energy
content was calculated using the Atwater factors. The average (+/- SD)
intake of milk in the first 24 hours after birth was 13 +/- 16 g/kg (range,
3 to 32 g/kg), increasing to 98 +/- 47 g/kg (50 to 163 g/kg) and 155 +/- 29
g/kg (110 to 196 g/kg) on days 3 and 5, respectively. Mean daily intakes of
energy, lactose, calcium, and potassium were less than 12% of the mean day
5 intake on day 1 and less than 25% of the day 5 intake on day 2. In the
first few days after birth, the nutrient intake of the solely breast-fed
infant is highly variable and is frequently low.
