Yield and nutrient content of milk in eight women breast-feeding twins and one woman breast-feeding triplets

Abstract

1. The milk yield of eight mothers each breast-feeding twins was determined by test weighing the mothers. Milk yield was determined at 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post partum; however, only one mother was studied at all these times.2. At 6 months post partum the milk yield for individual breasts of three mothers fully breast-feeding and four mothers partially breast-feeding their infants ranged from 0.84 to 2.16 kg/24 h and 0.42 to 1.39 kg/24 h respectively. The average frequency of breast-feeding for the mothers studied at 6 months post partum was 15.4 feeds124 h.3. The milk yield of one mother fully breast-feeding 2.5-month-old triplets was 3.08 kg/24 h and the infants were fed twenty-seven times in 24 h.4. The concentration of lactose, protein and mixed fat in the milk from individual breasts of mothers fully breast-feeding their infants ranged from 65.6 to 82.2, 7.8 to 15.7 and 16.7 to 46.2 g/1 respectively. For the three mothers partially breast-feeding 12-month-old infants the values ranged from 54.8 to 71.8, 14.2 to 19.9 and 4.7 to 40.5 g/l respectively.5. At 6 and 12 months of age, the proportion of the total energy intake of the infants which was derived from breast milk ranged from 64 to 100% and 6 to 13% respectively.6. It is concluded that the maximum potential milk yield for women may be higher than the often quoted value of 70–800 m1/24 h.

Evolution of lactation: nutritionv.protection with special reference to five mammalian species

“…This suggests that normally the maternal capacity to produce milk is in excess of the needs of the young. The finding that women can produce enough milk to either nourish twins (88) or to tandem feed younger and older infants (89) supports this suggestion. Similar observations have been made for other species, for example, larger than normal litter sizes are required in laboratory mammals to ensure the growth of the litter is dependent on maternal milk production.…”

Maternal Mineral and Bone Metabolism During Pregnancy, Lactation, and Post-Weaning Recovery

“…Individual cases of women nursing singletons have documented milk output of up to 2.4 -3.1 liters per day that was sustained for more than 12 mo of lactation (583,838). The composition of milk is similar between women with average and high outputs (233,792), and so producing more milk will cause greater maternal losses of calcium.…”

“…However, the output of milk on an individual basis is determined by the suckling demands of the neonate and can certainly markedly exceed these values. Women who nurse twins and triplets can have, respectively, more than double and triple the milk output of women nursing singletons (233,792). Individual cases of women nursing singletons have documented milk output of up to 2.4 -3.1 liters per day that was sustained for more than 12 mo of lactation (583,838).…”

Breast Feeding In Multiple Babies

“…21 İkiz bebeği olan sekiz anne ile üçüz bebeği olan bir annenin doğumdan sonraki belirli aylarda ürettikleri süt miktarını ölçmeyi amaçlayan bir çalışmada; postpartum altı ay sonunda bebeklerini kısmen emziren dört annenin 24 saat boyunca her birinin ürettiği süt miktarı 0,42-1,39 kg, bebeklerini sürekli emziren üç annenin 24 saat boyunca her birinin ürettiği süt miktarı ise 0,84-2,16 kg arasında olduğu bildirilmiştir. 22 Kielbratowska ve arkadaşları makalelerinde, araştırmalarda ikiz bebek annelerindeki süt üretiminin iki katına çıktığı, ikiz bebek sahibi annelerin doğumdan sonraki altı ay her gün 1-2 kg arasında süt üretebildiği, üçüz bebek sahibi annelerde ise üretilen süt miktarının 3 kg'dan fazla olduğunu bildirilmektedir. 10 Saint ve arkadaşlarının 8 ikiz ve 1 üçüz annesi ile yaptığı çalışmada bütün bebeklerin 2-3 ay boyunca sadece anne sütü ile beslendiğini, 3 bebeğin 6 ay boyunca sadece anne sütü ile beslenmeye devam ettiğini, üçüz bebek annesinin 4 ay boyunca bebeklerini sadece anne sütü ile beslediğini ve bu üçüzlerin 5 ayın sonuna kadar da mama ile birlikte anne sütüne devam ettiği bildirilmiştir.…”

“…Aynı ça-lışmada ikiz bebek annelerinin yaklaşık iki kat süt ürettiği vurgulanmış ve bunun emme artışından kaynaklanabileceği belirtilmiştir. 22 Bu çalışmalar ışığında emzirme ikiz, üçüz hatta dördüzlerde mükemmel bir şekilde yapılabilir. Bunu başarmak için bir çok yol vardır.…”