Protein and amino acids of breast milk from Thai mothers.

The protein, amino acids, and nonprotein nitrogen of milk samples obtained from Thai mothers over a period of 0 to more than 270 days postpartum were determined. Protein levels decreased from 1.56% during the 1st wk to a low of about 0.6% from 180 to 270 days and then rose to about 0.7%. The amino acid pattern of the milks suggested a number of differences in their composition and those of samples analyzed in other countries. Nonprotein nitrogen varied from 20 to 40% of the total nitrogen of the milk. It has been concluded that the need for supplementation of breast-fed Thai babies may occur earlier than many nutritionists advocate.