A Longitudinal Study on Human Milk Volume in Lactating Women During the First 6 Months of Lactation

수유 첫 6개월간 기간별 수유부의 모유분비량에 관한 연구

The longitudinal changes on human milk volume of 27 Korean lactating women (primiparae=10, multiparac=17) from 0.5 to 6 months after parturition have been studied by test-weighing method in Cheongju and Anseong area. The human milk volume per day increased to 2 months postpartum, and then decreased during lactation. The mean volume(g/day) at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 months were 634, 810, 847, 840, 844, 810, and 732g, respectively. The average volume were 791 ($\pm$149) and 786($\pm$131)g for primiparae and multiparae, respectively. The overall mean volume was 788$\pm$135g/day. The distributions of the individual mean volume during the first 6 months of lactation were found 450~549g(3.7%), 550~649g(11.1%), 650~749g(22.2%), 750~849%(37.1%), 850~949g(18.6%), 950~1049g(3.7%), and 1050~1149g(3.7%). The mean volume between primiparae and multiparase was significantly lower than other periods. The peak milk volume during the lactation was observed at 3 months postpartum for primiparae(40%), 2 months postpartum for multiparae(35.3%), and 2 months postpartum for total lactating women(29.6%). The volume of human milk had a significant positive correlation with peak volume and infant milk intake, but no correlation with maternal age, weight before delivery, height, and birth weight.