Composition Of Mothers Research Articles

The relationship between the milk productivity of cows and their daughters in an Ayrshire herd in the conditions of North-West Russia

Selection of cows based on the productivity of their mothers is an important part of breeding work. The purpose of the study is to analyze the manifestation of high productivity of Ayrshire cows depending on the milk yield of their mothers. The heritability of milk yield and composition of mothers’ milk by daughters was established to be 0.410-0.112. The maximum number of daughters with a milk yield of 10 thousand kg or more was identified in the 3rd lactation (up to 27.9%). It is advisable to select cows for herd reproduction from mothers evaluated by the results of the 3rd lactation.

Pre-pregnancy body mass index and gut microbiota of mothers and children 5 years postpartum.

Maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) has been linked to altered gut microbiota in women shortly after delivery and in their offspring in the first few years of life. But little is known about how long these differences persist. We followed 180 mothers and children from pregnancy until 5-year postpartum in the Gen3G cohort (Canada, enrolled 2010-2013). At 5 years postpartum we collected stool samples from mothers and children and estimated the gut microbiota by 16 S rRNA sequencing (V4 region) using Illumina MiSeq, and assigning amplicon sequence variants (ASV). We examined whether overall microbiota composition (as measured by microbiota β diversity) was more similar between mother-child pairs compared to between mothers or between children. We also assessed whether mother-child pair sharing of overall microbiota composition differed by the weight status of mothers before pregnancy and of children at 5-year. Furthermore, in mothers, we examined whether pre-pregnancy BMI, BMI 5-year postpartum, and change in BMI between time points was associated with maternal gut microbiota 5-year postpartum. In children, we further examined associations of maternal pre-pregnancy BMI and child 5-year BMI z-score with child 5-year gut microbiota. Mother-child pairs had greater similarity in overall microbiome composition compared to between mothers and between children. In mothers, higher pre-pregnancy BMI and 5-year postpartum BMI were associated with lower microbiota observed ASV richness and Chao 1 index; in children's gut microbiota, higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI was weakly associated with lower microbiota Shannon index, whereas child's 5-year BMI z-score was associated with higher observed ASV richness. Pre-pregnancy BMI was also linked to differential abundances of several microbial ASVs in the Ruminococcaceae and Lachnospiraceae families, but no specific ASV had overlapping associations with BMI measures in both mothers and children. Pre-pregnancy BMI was associated with gut microbiota diversity and composition of mothers and children 5 years after birth, however, the nature and direction of most associations differed for mothers and children. Future studies are encouraged to confirm our findings and look into potential mechanisms or factors that may drive these associations.

Peculiarities in the Amino Acid Composition of Sow Colostrum and Milk, and Their Potential Relevance to Piglet Development

The composition of mother's milk is considered the ideal diet for neonates. This study investigated how conserved or variable the amino acid profile of sow colostrum and milk is throughout lactation, compared with other studies in sows and other species. Twenty-five sows (parity one to seven) from one farm with gestation lengths of 114 to 116 d were sampled on d 0, 3, and 10 after parturition. The total amino acid profile of the samples was analyzed through ion-exchange chromatography, and the results were displayed as the percentage of total amino acid and compared with literature data. Most of the amino acid concentrations in sow milk decreased significantly (p < 0.05) throughout the lactation period, while the amino acid profile generally showed a conserved pattern, especially from d 3 to d 10, and was rather similar across different studies. Glutamine + glutamate was the most abundant amino acid in milk at all sampling moments, accounting for 14-17% of total amino acids. The proportions of proline, valine, and glycine in sow milk nearly accounted for 11%, 7%, and 6% respectively, and were higher compared to human, cow, and goat milk, while the methionine proportion was less than the other three. Compared to the large variations often reported in macronutrient concentrations, the amino acid profile of sow milk in the present study, as well as in others, seems well conserved across the lactation period. Similarities with characteristic differences were also observed between sow milk and piglet body composition, which might reflect the nutrition requirements of preweaning piglets. This study warrants further research exploring the link between the whole amino acid profile and the particular amino acids for suckling piglets and could facilitate insight for optimizing creep feed.

Sedentarization and maternal childcare networks: role of risk, gender and demography.

Women cooperate over multiple domains and while research from western contexts portrays women's networks as limited in size and breadth, women receive help, particularly with childcare, from a diverse range of individuals (allomothers). Nonetheless, little exploration has occurred into why we see such diversity. Wide maternal childcare networks may be a consequence of a lack of resource accumulation in mobile hunter-gatherers-where instead households rely on risk-pooling in informal insurance networks. By contrast, when households settle and accumulate resources, they are able to retain risk by absorbing losses. Thus, the size and composition of mothers' childcare networks may depend on risk-buffering, as captured by mobile and settled households in the Agta, a Philippine foraging population with diverse lifestyles. Across 78 children, we find that childcare from grandmothers and sisters was higher in settled camps, while childcare from male kin was lower, offering little support for risk-buffering. Nonetheless, girls' workloads were increased in settled camps while grandmothers had fewer dependent children, increasing their availability. These results point to gender-specific changes associated with shifting demographics as camps become larger and more settled. Evidently, women's social networks, rather than being constrained by biology, are responsive to the changing socioecological context. This article is part of the theme issue 'Cooperation among women: evolutionary and cross-cultural perspectives'.

Once again about omega: impact of omega‑3 PUFAs on composition of mother’s milk and health of children

It is known that in the first year of life, the most intensive growth, maturation of the digestive tract and intestinal microbiota, the development of the child’s immune and nervous systems occur. A lot of evidence has been accumulated that the optimal composition of mother’s milk regulates the metabolism of the child and contributes to the prevention of diseases of various origins. One of the key components of breast milk that have a positive effect on the growth and development of the child are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Considering the prevalence of омега‑3 PUFA deficiency in the population, the most appropriate is the use of омега‑3 PUFAs (EPA + DHA) as part of IUD before pregnancy, throughout the entire period of gestation and breastfeeding.

Influence of selected factors on the Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes phyla and the Lactobacillaceae family in the digestive tract of sheep

In this study, we used 10 healthy sheep, which gave birth to healthy twins. Stool samples were collected from mothers and their offspring 3 times during the study (0, 28 and 56 day postpartum). Milk samples were taken from the mothers at the same time. RT PCR analysis of faeces and milk was performed in order to assess the level of bacteria from the Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes phyla including the family Lactobacillaceae (phylum Firmicutes). The composition of mother's milk was also analyzed and their BCS. The data were compiled statistically. The obtained results showed that the level of the studied groups of bacteria may change due to the change of diet. Additionally, there were significant differences between lambs and mothers in the levels of the studied groups of bacteria. Analysis also shown that in the digestive system of mothers was a smaller disproportion in the level of the studied bacterial phyla than in lambs. The results also indicated the occurrence of differences in the bacterial composition at the individual level, both in ewes and their offspring. Additionally, in the conducted experiment, there were differences in the level of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes groups depending on the sex.

Генеалогічні лінії в орловській рисистій породі коней української частини популяції

The article presents the results of the genealogical analysis of Ukrainian population of horses Orlov’s Trotter breed. The total number of the breed at the time of the survey was 653 horses, including 267 mares. The largest number of horses is in Zaporizhzhya stud no. 86 (29.6% mares). Analysis of the genealogical structure of the breed’s reproductive composition showed the advantage of stallions of three lines: Barchuk (branch of the Zapad, 28.1%), Pilot (18.8%), and Voin (15.6%). The mother composition mainly refers to the lines of Barchuk (branch of the Zapad, 30.7%), Pion (22.1%), Pilot (15.7%). The breeding stock of the Dibrivka stud is represented mainly by mares of the Pion line (41.2%), the Zaporozhsky stud — Barchuk line (a branch of the Zapad, 29.1%), Ispolnitielnyi (22.8%), and Pion (20.3%). In Lymarivka stud, most mares belong to the lines of Barchuk (branch of the Zapad, 35.5%), Pilot, Pion (25.8% each). Lozova stud is equipped with mares mainly of the Barchuk line (branch of the Zapad, 38.2%), Pilot (23.5%) and Veter (20.6%). The largest breeding reproducer of the “Komyshanske” private agrarian enterprise is equipped mainly with mares of the Barchuk line (branch of the Zapad, 51.2%), Pion (22.0%) and Pilot (17.1%). Analysis of the Ukrainian part of the Orlov Trotter breed population genealogical lines showed that in the presence of breeding and repair stallions, the greatest development was received by the Barchuk genealogical line, from which a new, more branched branch of the Zapad is separated, which 28.1% of stallions and 30.7% of mares belong to. The breeding core of this genealogical line is concentrated in all stud farms for breeding the Orlov Trotter breed (basic farms), as well as in breeding reproducers and individual horse owners. Thus, there is a prerequisite for testing the genealogical line of the West in the Ukrainian part of the population of the Orlov Trotter horse breed.

GENEALOGICAL LINES IN THE ORLOV’S TROTTING BREED OF THE UKRAINIAN PART OF THE POPULATION

The article presents the results of the genealogical analysis of Ukrainian population of horses Orlov’s trotter breed. The total number of the breed at the time of the survey was 653 horses, including 267 mares. The largest number of horses is in Zaporozhsky stud № 86 (29.6 % mares). Analysis of the genealogical structure of the breed's reproductive composition showed the advantage of stallions of three lines: Barchuk (branch of the Zapad) (28.1 %), Pilot (18.8 %), and Voin (15.6 %). The mother composition mainly refers to the lines of Barchuk (branch of the Zapad) (30.7 %), Pion (22.1 %), Pilot (15.7 %). The breeding stock of the Dubrovsky stud is represented mainly by mares of the Pion line (41.2 %), the Zaporozhsky stud – Barchuk line (a branch of the Zapad) (29.1 %), Ispolnitielnyi (22.8 %), and Pion (20.3 %). In Limarevsky stud, the majority of mares belong to the lines of Barchuk (branch of the Zapapad) (35.5 %), Pilot, Pion (25.8% each). Lozovsky stud is equipped with mares mainly of the Barchuk line (branch of the Zapad) (38.2 %), Pilot (23.5 %) and Vietier (20.6 %). The largest breeding reproducer of the «Kamyshanskoe» is equipped mainly with mares of the Barchuk line (branch of the Zapad) (51.2 %), Pion (22.0 %) and Pilot (17.1 %). Analysis of the genealogical lines of the Ukrainian part of the population of the Orlov’s trotting breed showed that the most numerous is the Barchuk line with a more developed branch of the Zapad, which includes 28.1 % of stallions and 30.7 % of mares. The breeding core of the line is concentrated in four studs for breeding Orlov’s trotting breed (basic farms), as well as in breeding reproducers and horse owners-individuals. The genealogical offshoot of the Zapad is represented by descendants of 9537 Benzol and 10173 Pozyv, in particular 9 stallions and 78 mares of reproductive age. The presence of repair young in genealogical lines suggests their further development. Most of the genealogical lines, except for the lines of Barchuk, Pilot and Voin, are under threat of extinction, as they are represented by three or less stallions and, without the allocation or acquisition of new producers, will lead to a narrowing of the genealogical structure of the breed, which will negatively affect the population as a whole.

Variations of Human Milk Compositions as per Prakriti (Psychosomatic Constitution): A Pilot Study

Introduction: Mother’s milk is considered to be the supreme food for neonates, infants and toddler. It is also regarded as the finest gift form a mother to her baby. The individual characteristic of a person enumerating external and internal body features is known as Prakriti. It is the sense of personality or constitution or temperament of an individual. The aim of the present study was to assess “variations of human milk composition as per Prakriti”. Materials and Methods: Total 64 lactating mothers of 20-35 years age group, not suffering from any acute or chronic illness and who were on similar diet regardless of their mode of delivery were registered and included in the study while lactating mothers not falling in this age group or who were taking any specific drug for the illness or suffering from any disease including- moderate (9.97-7 g/dl) to severe (6.94-4 g/dl) anemia were excluded from the study. Result: On applying One Way ANOVA, the mean values of fat percentage in milk varied significantly as per Prakriti (p = 0.0287). On applying Post Hoc Test the significant pairs were for Vata vs. Pitta (<0.05) and Vata vs Kapha (<0.05) Prakriti . In all other parameters of milk, no significant variation was found. Conclusion: We can conclude that the composition of mother’s milk varies as per Prakriti .

Mother’s Relative Educational Status and Early Childhood Height-for-Age z Scores: A Decomposition of Change Over Time

This paper explores the association between changes in mother’s relative educational status and changes in early childhood nutrition focusing on the case of Malawi and the sizable improvements in early childhood height-for-age z scores (HAZ) that occurred between 2000 and 2015. Using Demographic Health Survey data, the paper shows that there were changes in the composition of mothers with higher relative educational status in the population, and also changes in returns to mother’s higher relative educational status between 2000 and 2015. A Blinder–Oaxaca decomposition suggests that improved returns to mother’s higher relative educational status were associated with playing an important role in improvements in early childhood HAZ between 2000 and 2015, although compositional changes in mothers with higher relative education appear to be less important. Supplementary descriptive analyses suggest these results might have to do with changes in selection into non-hypergamous unions over time.

A prospective analysis of intake and composition of mother's own milk in preterm newborns less than 32 weeks' gestational age.

Background Mothers of preterm (PT) infants have difficulty providing adequate quantities of human milk (HM) for their babies during their hospital stay. The macronutrient content in HM changes over time, varying across and within individual mothers. The research aim of the strudy was to describe the intake of mothers' own milk (MOM) and its composition according to gestational (GA) and postnatal age (PNA) in infants born <32 weeks' GA and to correlate them with neonatal weight, length and morbidities. Methods A prospective observational study of 176 premature infants in a unit without a donor milk bank was conducted. Daily milk intake was recorded. HM macronutrients were determined by mid-infrared spectrophotometric analysis at 7, 15 and 30 days after delivery and monthly until hospital discharge. Results Intake of MOM increased during the first 2 weeks after birth and decreased steadily thereafter. Protein concentration varied inversely with PNA. Carbohydrate and lipid concentrations increased over the first few days and remained stable thereafter. A fall in weight percentiles from birth to 60 days was found. No correlation was found between total protein and calorie intakes at 3 and 15 days of life and growth velocity (GV) between 15 and 30 days, even when broken down into parenteral nutrition (PN), formula and MOM. Conclusion To improve MOM feeding in PT newborns, intensive support strategies at the prenatal stage along entire hospitalization income should be encouraged. New protocols for fortification of HM should be implemented to optimize postnatal weight gain while preserving the health benefits of HM.

Enhanced antiferromagnetic interaction-induced spontaneous exchange bias in Mn50Ni40Sn10-xTix Heusler alloys

In order to study the conditions of triggering spontaneous exchange bias (SEB) in Heusler alloys, the data of several typical systems in Heusler family are collected and analyzed. It is found that the molecular magnetic moment (MS) is no more than 1μB/f.u. in typical SEB systems. Based on this commonality, a method is put forward by us to trigger SEB in the materials: tuning the relative strength of the ferromagnetic (FM) and the antiferromagnetic (AFM) interactions. In order to verify this view, Mn50Ni40Sn10 with stronger FM interaction and with no SEB effect is chosen as the mother composition, and Sn is substituted with valence-isoelectronic Ti to enhance AFM interaction. It is found that AFM interaction is continuously enhanced with the increase in the Ti content, and SEB is generated and regulated.

Tuning antiferromagnetic exchange interaction for spontaneous exchange bias in MnNiSnSi system

Based on almost all the data from the literature on spontaneous exchange bias (SEB), it is expected that the system will show SEB if it meets two conditions simultaneously: (i) there are the coexistence and competition of antiferromagnetic (AFM) and ferromagnetic (FM) interactions and (ii) AFM interaction should dominate but not be too strong in this competition. In order to verify this view, a systematic study on SEB has been performed in this work. Mn50Ni40Sn10 with strong FM interaction and without SEB is chosen as the mother composition, and the negative chemical pressure is introduced by the substitution of Sn by Si to enhance AFM interaction. It is found that a long-range FM ordering window is closed, and a long-range AFM ordering window is opened. As a result, SEB is triggered and a continuous tuning of the spontaneous exchange bias field (HSEB) from 0 Oe to 1300 Oe has been realized in a Mn50Ni40Sn10−xSix system by the enhanced AFM interaction.

The Influence of Different Maternal Microbial Communities on the Development of Infant Gut and Oral Microbiota

Very few studies have analyzed how the composition of mother’s microbiota affects the development of infant’s gut and oral microbiota during the first months of life. Here, microbiota present in the mothers’ gut, vagina, breast milk, oral cavity, and mammary areola were compared with the gut and oral microbiota of their infants over the first six months following birth. Samples were collected from the aforementioned body sites from seven mothers and nine infants at three different time points over a 6-month period. Each sample was analyzed with 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The gut microbiota of the infants harbored distinct microbial communities that had low similarity with the various maternal microbiota communities. In contrast, the oral microbiota of the infants exhibited high similarity with the microbiota of the mothers’ breast milk, mammary areola and mouth. These results demonstrate that constant contact between microbial communities increases their similarity. A majority of the operational taxonomic units in infant gut and oral microbiota were also shared with the mothers’ gut and oral communities, respectively. The disparity between the similarity and the proportion of the OTUs shared between infants’ and mothers’ gut microbiota might be related to lower diversity and therefore competition in infants’ gut microbiota.

Social and demographic drivers of trend and seasonality in elective abortions in Denmark

BackgroundElective abortions show a secular decline in high income countries. That general pattern, however, may mask meaningful differences—and a potentially rising trend—among age, income, and other racial/ethnic groups. We explore these differences in Denmark, a high-income, low-fertility country with excellent data on terminations and births.MethodsWe examined monthly elective abortions (n = 225,287) from 1995 to 2009, by maternal age, parity, income level and mother’s country of origin. We applied time-series methods to live births as well as spontaneous and elective abortions to approximate the denominator of pregnancies at risk of elective abortion. We used linear regression methods to identify trend and seasonal patterns.ResultsDespite an overall declining trend, teenage women show a rising proportion of pregnancies that end in an elective termination (56% to 67%, 1995 to 2009). Non-Western immigrant women also show a slight increase in incidence. Heightened economic disadvantage among non-Western immigrant women does not account for this rise. Elective abortions also show a sustained “summer peak” in June, July and August. Low-income women show the most pronounced summer peak.ConclusionsIdentification of the causes of the increase over time in elective abortion among young women, and separately among non-Western immigrant women, represents key areas of further inquiry. The unexpected increase over time in elective abortions among teens and non-Western immigrants in Denmark may signal important social and cultural impediments to contraception. The summer peak in abortions among low-income women, moreover, conflicts with the conventional assumption that the social and demographic composition of mothers who electively end their pregnancy remains stable within a calendar year.

Milk matters: offspring survival in Columbian ground squirrels is affected by nutrient composition of mother's milk

Through maternal effects, information about environmental conditions experienced in the maternal generation can be transmitted to subsequent generations. Although maternal effects have been described and quantified in many mammalian species, the underlying causal links are often under-studied. The close association between mother and neonate during the extended period of lactation in mammals provides a unique opportunity for mothers to influence offspring phenotype through nutrient provisioning of milk. The purpose of this study was to examine sources of inter-individual variation in milk composition and impacts on offspring phenotype and survival. Variation in fat content, protein content, and energy density of mother’s milk was associated with timing of reproduction. Mothers with intermediate birthdates produced milk that was higher in fat and energy density, but lower in protein than females with early or late birthdates. In turn, the pattern of change in milk composition affected juvenile overwinter survival. The protein content of Columbian ground squirrel milk typically increases to peak lactation and then declines before weaning. Pups consuming milk that was lower in protein in early lactation but then relatively high in protein at peak and late lactation had a higher probability of survival overwinter. Our results indicate that the interplay between the timing of reproduction and lactation performance has consequences for maternal and offspring fitness.

Is there a difference in breast milk fatty acid composition of mothers of preterm and term infants?

Objective: Arachidonic acid (ARA) (c20:4 w6) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) (c22:6 w3) are of major importance for neural maturation and retinal function in infancy. Requirements in preterm infants are increased due to accelerated growth and limited body stores. Data regarding human milk fatty acid composition after preterm and full-term delivery is inconsistent. This study compared fatty acid composition in breast milk from full-term and preterm infants. Findings were correlated with maternal dietary intake.Methods: Human milk was obtained 4–5 days after full-term delivery (20 infants) and 4–5, 10–11 and 14–15 days after preterm delivery (21 infants, of whom 6 were born before 30 weeks). For fatty acid analysis, lipids were extracted, transesterified and separated by gas liquid chromatography.Results: Total fat content was similar in the two groups. FA composition including LCPUFA and specifically ARA & DHA were similar in full-term and preterm infants and in the sub-set born before 30 weeks. In preterm infants, postnatal age did not influence LCPUFA content.Conclusions: This study did not detect any effect of gestational age or postnatal age on milk LCPUFA content. Accordingly, the increased demand for LCPUFA and specifically DHA in preterm infants need to be met by other supplementation.

Changes in fetal and neonatal mortality during 40 years by offspring sex: a national registry-based study in Norway

BackgroundThere has been a considerable decline in fetal and neonatal mortality in the Western world. The authors hypothesized that this decline has been largest for boys, since boys have a higher risk of fetal and neonatal death.MethodsThe authors used data from the Medical Birth Registry about all births in Norway to study changes during 1967–2005 in mortality for boys and girls from the 23rd week of pregnancy until one month after birth. Absolute and relative yearly changes in fetal and neonatal death rates were estimated separately for boys and girls.ResultsFrom 1967 to 2005, the average annual reduction in the overall death rate was greater for boys: 0.47 per 1000 boys (95% CI: 0.45, 0.48) and 0.37 per 1000 girls (95% CI: 0.35, 0.39). These estimates were not affected by adjustments made for changes over time in maternal characteristics. The convergence in death rates by sex was strongest for the first week after birth: average annual reduction in the early neonatal death rate was 0.24 per 1000 boys (95% CI: 0.23, 0.25) and 0.17 per 1000 girls (95% CI: 0.16, 0.18). The death rates for boys and girls also converged during pregnancy and from one week to one month after birth. The relative reduction in death rates was quite similar for boys and girls: the overall death rate fell annually by 4.4% (95% CI: 4.3, 4.6%) for boys and by 4.2% (95% CI: 4.0, 4.4%) for girls.ConclusionsDuring the period 1967–2005, the absolute reduction in fetal and neonatal death rates was greatest for boys. The relative reduction in mortality was about the same for both sexes, but the absolute reduction was greatest for boys since the mortality for boys began at a higher level. The convergence of death rates was not due to changes in the composition of mothers, suggesting that convergence has been caused by technological progress.

Comparative evaluation of essential fatty acid composition of mothers' milk of some urban and suburban regions of West Bengal, India

This study investigated the fatty acid composition of lipid present in breast milk of mothers residing in urban and suburban regions of West Bengal with special emphasis on n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, which played a crucial role in the growth and development of neonates. Milk samples collected from 135 mothers of middle income group (average monthly income around ‘Rs 10,000/-’) were analysed by gas liquid chromatography after extraction and transmethylation to determine fatty acid composition. Information about the dietary intake of individual mothers was obtained through food frequency questionnaire. The fractions of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids available in milk of urban mothers were 13.59 ± 0.94 and 3.65 ± 0.49, respectively, and in suburban mothers 12.74 ± 0.89 and 4.36 ± 0.39, respectively. The green leafy vegetables, fishes and vegetable oils were the major sources of essential fatty acids in the diet of the experimental groups of Bengali mothers. This study revealed a relationship between the alimentary habits of mothers and the concentration of essential fatty acids in breast milk of Bengali mothers.

The effect of maternal dietary calcium intake on the body composition of mothers and their infants

In a cross‐sectional study of 96 mothers and their full‐term infants at 3 months post‐partum, dietary intake, physical activity, infant feeding history, and anthropometric measures were assessed. Onsite measurements of mother and infant body composition used the BOD POD and PEA POD, respectively. Mothers who consumed ≥1000 mg of calcium per day (n=25) weighed less (p=0.016) and had a lower BMI (p=0.014) at 3 months post‐partum despite higher intakes of energy, macronutrients, fiber, sugar, iron, and vitamin D compared to mothers consuming &lt;1000 mg calcium (n=71). There was no significant difference in pre‐pregnancy BMI between calcium groups. No significant differences were found between exclusively breastfeeding mothers (EBF; n=66) and mixed feeding mothers (MF; n=30) regarding body fat percentage, pregnancy weight gain, or energy intake. EBF mothers had lower pre‐pregnancy BMIs, lower BMIs and weighed less at 3 months, and consumed more calcium, fiber, and iron than MF mothers. There were no significant differences in maternal body weight, BMI or body fat percentage between MF mothers of both calcium groups, but a trend for EBF mothers consuming less calcium to weigh more (p=0.055) was found. These findings provide further evidence that EBF may lead to greater post‐partum weight loss and support recent studies regarding calcium's potential role in weight management.(Supported by the University of Georgia Research Foundation)