Which breast milk has the most melatonin?

Understanding Melatonin in Breast Milk
Melatonin, often referred to as the “sleep hormone,” plays a crucial role in regulating sleep-wake cycles. Recent studies have highlighted its presence in human breast milk, revealing significant variations based on the time of day and the stage of lactation.
Timing Matters: Night vs. Day Milk
Research indicates that breast milk produced at night contains significantly higher levels of melatonin compared to milk produced during the day. This diurnal variation is essential for infants, as it aligns with their natural circadian rhythms. Specifically, nighttime breast milk is rich in melatonin, which can help promote sleep in babies, while morning milk is characterized by higher cortisol levels, a hormone associated with wakefulness and energy.
Lactation Stages and Melatonin Concentration
The concentration of melatonin in breast milk also varies with the stage of lactation. Studies have shown that colostrum, the first milk produced after childbirth, has the highest levels of melatonin. This is followed by transitional milk and then mature milk, which has lower concentrations. For instance, one study found that preterm breast milk had higher melatonin levels at night compared to term milk, particularly around 3:00 AM.
Implications for Infant Sleep
The presence of melatonin in breast milk is not just a biological curiosity; it has practical implications for infant sleep patterns. Feeding infants with “night milk” can potentially aid in establishing better sleep routines, as the melatonin content helps signal to the baby’s body that it is time to rest . This understanding of breast milk’s composition underscores the importance of timing in breastfeeding practices, particularly for new mothers looking to support their baby’s sleep.
Conclusion
In summary, the breast milk with the highest melatonin content is produced at night, particularly in the early stages of lactation. This natural variation not only reflects the mother’s circadian rhythms but also serves a vital role in helping infants develop their own sleep patterns. As research continues to explore the nuances of breast milk composition, the concept of “chrononutrition”—the timing of nutrient intake—becomes increasingly relevant in understanding infant health and development.

Is day and night breast milk different?

Night milk also contains higher levels of certain DNA building blocks which help promote healthy sleep. Day milk, by contrast, has more activity-promoting amino acids than night milk. Iron in milk peaks at around noon; vitamin E peaks in the evening.

What time is melatonin highest in babies?

3pm: melatonin starts to slowly rise and they begin to slow down in preparation for sleep. 7pm to 7.30pm: their melatonin is at its peak. When it’s at its peak the level stays consistent until midnight.

Is there something in breast milk that helps babies sleep?

Breast milk naturally contains melatonin, a hormone associated with sleep. Infants cannot produce this hormone on their own and rely on the secretion in breast milk to help regulate their circadian rhythms.

Which milk is best for sleep?

Healthy serotonin levels in our central nervous system often depend on the presence of tryptophan, which is naturally found in both cow’s milk and almond milk. Almond milk is also particularly high in magnesium, which is another important nutrient that can improve sleep quality.

When is melatonin highest in breast milk?

Breast milk clearly exhibits a 24-hour pattern, with melatonin concentrations high during the evening and night (starting about 9pm and peaking between 2 and 3am) but are barely detectable in daytime milk.

What has the highest melatonin content?

Pistachios and almonds are especially high in melatonin. As a bonus, pistachios are also high in vitamin B6, which helps convert tryptophan (an essential amino acid) into melatonin. But roasting nuts may reduce their melatonin content.

Which milk has the most melatonin?

Milk collected during the winter after night milking and from the low productivity cows (n = 15) contained more melatonin (mean: 21.93 ± 11.06 pg/mL) than the other combinations. The melatonin concentration in the night milk was lower in this study than the levels reported by Milagres et al. (2014) who studied 10 cows.

What time of day is breast milk the fattiest?

Breastmilk at night
For most mothers, breastmilk will gradually increase in fat content throughout the day. During the evening, young babies often cluster feed, taking in frequent feeds of this fattier milk, which tends to satisfy them enough to have their longest stretch of sleep.

How to increase melatonin in babies?

Bedtime Secret: Dim the Lights
So try dimming a bright overhead light in the nursery, or turn it off and use a nightlight instead. Not only will softer lighting help trigger your baby’s body to produce melatonin, but it will also act as a visual cue, so your baby knows that it’s time to wind down.

What makes babies sleepy in breastmilk?

However, since breast milk is more easily digestible than formula, babies who breastfeed are likely to wake up more frequently than formula-fed babies, as they will get hungrier faster. However, the melatonin in breast milk will facilitate their sleep, so right after the feeding, they’ll go back to sleep easily.