Lactation Lab Breast Milk Nutritional Analysis Kit - Standard: Tests for Calories, Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat, Calcium, Iron, Vitamins A, C and B-12.

How It Works

Milk Collection

The process begins once you receive your kit. Since the nutritional content of your milk can change throughout each pumping session, we recommend collecting a small amount of milk as you pump throughout the day. Note that although diet directly affects the quantity of nutrients present, it can take a week or two them to appear in your milk.

Ship Sample to Lactation Lab

Your kit includes everything needed to prepare your sample. We provide all necessary packaging to ship your milk. Once you've returned your sample to us (prepaid shipping is included), it takes about a week to process the sample in our state-of-the-art lab facility.

Once we have completed testing, your results are immediately emailed to you as PDF explaining the importance of each measurement and suggestions for how to help improve the quality of your milk.

What We Test and Why

Fats

The amount of fat in milk is related to infant growth. It is essential for the metabolism of vitamins needed for neurodevelopment and is the main source of calories. Increasing dietary fat consumption, especially omega fatty acids, can increase the fat content in breast milk.

Calories

This is a measure of the energy content of the milk. The major contributors are fats, carbohydrates and proteins. It is estimated that a breastfeeding woman should be consuming a minimum of an extra 500 calories per day.

Protein

It is estimated that protein supplies 8-10% of a baby’s energy requirements. Proteins are important for immune and neurological function, and are the building blocks for tissues, muscle and bones. Low levels should prompt you to discuss your dietary intake with your doctor.

Carbohydrates

Breast milk contains unique sugars which help fuel growth and brain development. Lactose is the main sugar in breast milk and it helps decrease the amount of unhealthy bacteria in the stomach. It also helps with the absorption of key nutrients and minerals.

Calcium

This mineral is important for skeletal structure, essential for cell, muscle and nerve function and for blood clotting. Supplementation can increase calcium levels in milk. Low levels should prompt a discussion with your doctor.

Iron

Essential for blood cell production and carries oxygen from lungs to tissues. Low levels have been associated with anemia in mothers.

Vitamin A

Belongs to a family of compounds called retinoids which are important for vision, bone growth and supporting a healthy immune system. If your levels are low, you should discuss your results with your healthcare provider and assess your intake (diet and supplements).

Vitamin C

An antioxidant and important building block for collagen and connective tissue as well as iron absorption. Low levels should prompt you to discuss with your healthcare provider.

Vitamin B12

Maintains healthy nerve cells and helps in the production of DNA and RNA, the body's genetic material. It is important for overall metabolism, formation of red blood cells and for maintenance of the central nervous system.