The Evolution of Breast Milk
In the first months after birth, babies experience the most rapid growth of their lives. Your baby’s birth weight will more than double in the first six months. During this time, your baby’s nutritional needs are changing quickly, and the composition of breast milk is constantly changing to meet these changing needs.
Protein
Breast milk is initially high in protein to support an infant’s early rapid growth, then gradually decreases over the following months in sync with babies’ slowing growth rate.

Calories
Energy requirements for infants, on a per kilogram body weight basis, decrease with increasing age. Breastmilk provides the right balance of protein, fat and carbohydrates to provide the energy your baby needs throughout the first few months of life.
Fats
During this initial period of rapid growth, the fat content of breast milk also quickly increases after the first few days of lactation, slightly increasing again over the first two months, before stabilizing or even decreasing.
Carbohydrates
One component of breast milk that progressively increases is the carbohydrate content, providing approximately 40% of the total energy in mature breast milk.
Months 0 - 6
From birth to six months, breast milk is the perfect, single source of nutrition to meet all of your baby’s dietary needs.
Did you know?
- Your baby’s growth rate and milk intake are changing continually and are aligned by the ongoing adaptation of breast milk volume and composition.
- The type of protein in breast milk changes over time, with whey decreasing and casein increasing, from less than 20% to about 50% of the total protein in mature breastmilk.
- Breast milk is also packed with antibodies and contains good bacteria to protect your baby before his natural defenses are fully developed.
Protein and calories change from month to month
To fully harness this flying start, your baby needs an efficient fuel: your milk! Generally, from about the first to the fifth day of life, your baby ingests colostrum, an important yellow, “first breast milk”, rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, ideal to give your baby their first start in life.
Next comes the transitional milk, which is rich in sugars and fats, gradually taking over until about day 14. Breast milk then becomes mature milk, from approximately the 15th day.
In the following months of lactation, as the pace of your baby’s growth declines a bit, the percentage of protein from milk decreases. The type of proteins also changes: during the first few months, an easy to digest group of proteins in the milk called "whey", make up the bulk of the milk. Whey is rich in several special proteins that support the development of your baby’s immune system. Over time, another type of protein called “casein”, which is also found in cow’s milk, increases and whey declines.
Fats provide energy for growth
The fat content of breast milk changes during the day and during each nursing session to fit the needs of your baby. Thus, the milk is richer in fat when your baby is likely to be the most active.
Antibodies and good bacteria reinforce its defenses
Breast milk contains immune proteins, including lactoferrin, which have positive effect on the immune system, and enhance the absorption of iron. Breast milk also contains antibodies, like immunoglobulin, that help protect your baby against many infectious diseases.
Zinc and iron, two other essential elements
- The milk you produce is rich in zinc during the first few months, to adjust to the rapid pace of growth of your baby. This mineral is essential to assimilate proteins, fats and carbohydrates.
- Iron plays a crucial role in various metabolic processes (including red blood cell formation) and cognitive development. Before four months, your baby’s iron requirements are covered by the contribution of breast milk and reserves accumulated during fetal life. However, after four months, it’s possible that iron supplementation is needed. Ask your pediatrician for advice.
Months 7 - 12
During months seven to twelve, solids will gain an increasingly larger part of your baby’s diet.
Did you know?
- As your baby becomes more active, breast milk alone is not always enough to cover all of his nutritional needs.
- Milk, preferably breast milk, is still essential in feeding your baby, but introduction of other foods can begin as early as five months.
- Fatty acids in breast milk can help to offset the lower fat levels in some of baby’s first solid foods.
Breast milk and solid foods create your baby’s new diet
After six months, your baby still continues to grow, but at a less rapid pace than in earlier months, gaining an average of half an ounce per day. He begins to taste his first vegetable purees and fruit compotes. Breast milk does not fill all of your baby’s nutritional needs on its own anymore, but, at eight months of age, still provides your baby a significant portion of his energy intake.
First solids
First solids for your baby consist mainly of cereals, fruits and vegetables, and then meat. His new eating regime gives him mainly carbohydrates and proteins. The protein and calories from breast milk are lower than when he was a younger infant.
Breast milk is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, which are not yet provided by the solids your baby is eating. Many essential nutrients are included in breast milk to ensure your baby continues to grow and develop.
Foods other than milk alter your baby’s digestive system
With the introduction of solid foods, your baby's digestive system changes dramatically. In addition, as your baby explores his environment, he puts objects in his mouth, exposing him to many different germs.
A smooth transition to solid food
The transition to a diet of mainly solid food from one that was all liquid is not done overnight. You must allow time for your little gourmet to get used to new tastes. Plus, the mechanism used for swallowing food is a very different experience for your baby.
As Baby approaches one year old, you may start to transition to toddler milk drink or to cow’s milk.