Relationships between the amount of total protein in human milk, the volume of produced milk and food intake

The concentration of total protein in human milk on the 5th or 6th day after full-term, normal delivery was measured in 145 women, and the amount of protein per 24 hours was calculated by multiplying protein concentration by 24-hour milk production for the same day. Relationships between the concentration and amount of protein, milk volumes and food intake during the latter period of the pregnancy were investigated. Quantification theory III statistical analysis was applied to analyze food intake patterns. While no individual food item was shown to be effective in improving quality and quantity of mother's milk, the results suggest that mothers who consumed meat, fish, food prepared with oil, seaweed, cow's milk and fruits frequently, and rarely used coffee; or mothers who consumed confectioneries and food prepared with oil frequently, rarely used coffee and alcohol beverages and disliked spices produced greater volumes of milk or milk containing a greater amount of protein.