I think that the truth is like the way many foods and nutrients act in the
body. Iron, for example, is absorbed better if it is not taken daily, but
when given every 3 days or so.  Nutrients are actually absorbed better when
the person is in a pleasant environment, and the food is presented
attractively.   There is not the very same amount of vitamin C in every
orange, yet unless they are kept too long or spoiled, they are all good for
you.

The amounts of fat in women's milk varies according to their diet, the
effectiveness of the baby's suck, the length of the feeding, the recency of
the last feed, etc. etc.   Suffice it to say that research backs up the
fact that the milk at the beginning of the feeding is lower in fat, and
higher at the end of the feeding.   And as to when it changes, and how much
depends of the breast, the baby, and the producer.   The proof of the
pudding is, is the baby contented? gaining well? and then of course, mom
and family will be happy too.



Can we re-visit this topic?    The archives was truly overwhelming!
My reason for asking is, I'm writing a breastfeeding management article for
our staff entitled "Finish the First Breast First".

The Woolridge and Fisher article in the Lancet, August 13, 1988 states ...
"The protein and lactose concentrations in human milk remain fairly
constant
during a feed, whereas the fat concentration of breast milk rises
consistently throughout (though individual feeds may not conform entirely.)


My question, or at least, what I thought was correct  ...  That there was
higher concentrations of protein and lactose in foremilk.  Is it that the
difference is that there is a higher quantity of foremilk that contains
less
fat and that hindmilk contains the same amounts of protein and lactose as
foremilk but is less in quantity and higher in fat?

Thanks for your help and your patience.  Camille in Jackson, Mississippi,
in
southern USA.