composition of milks

Last reviewed 06/2022

Energy (kJ) and nutrient content (g/dl) of milks:

• mature breast milk:
  • carbohydrate 7.4
  • protein 1.2
  • casein 0.5
  • fat 3.8
  • Na mmol/l 7.0
  • K mmol/l 13.0
  • calcium mg/l 34.0
  • phosphorus 140.0

• colostrum:
  • carbohydrate 5.3
  • protein 2.3
  • casein 1.2
  • fat 2.3
  • Na mmol/l 48.0
  • K mmol/l 73.0
  • calcium mg/l 30.0
  • phosphorus 150.0

• cow's milk:
  • carbohydrate 4.9
  • protein 3.3
  • casein 2.7
  • fat 3.8
  • Na mmol/l 21.0
  • K mmol/l 38.0
  • calcium mg/l 117.0
  • phosphorus 920.0

   

As a general principal it may be remembered that practically everything is lower in breast milk than cow's milk, except for carbohydrate, which is higher.