Ingredient hub

Milk, Human, Mature, Fluid (For Reference Only)

Human mature breast milk is included in the USDA nutritional database as a reference entry with a density of approximately 1.04 g/ml—comparable to cow's whole milk (1.030–1.035 g/ml) and slightly denser due to its unique fat globule composition and lactose profile. The "(For Reference Only)" designation in the original USDA data reflects that this is not a commercial food ingredient. This conversion page is intended for infant feeding measurement (precisely measuring expressed breast milk for bottle feeding), lactation tracking, neonatal clinical nutrition, and food science reference. A cup of human mature breast milk weighs approximately 246 g; a tablespoon weighs approximately 15.4 g.

Primary use case: measuring expressed breast milk for infant feeding by volume-to-weight conversion. Also referenced in clinical nutrition and lactation research. Not a cooking or baking ingredient.

Dairy specifics

Dairy products (milk, cream, yogurt, cheese) have different fat and water percentages. Volume hides these differences; weight keeps sauces, batters, and doughs consistent.

• Fat content shifts density; pick the correct milk/cream/fat level if variants exist.
• For cheese, shredded vs grated vs cubed changes volume—prefer grams.

Storage & tools

• Refrigerate perishable foods within 2 hours (1 hour if above 90°F/32°C).
• Keep the refrigerator at or below 40°F (4°C) and the freezer at 0°F (-18°C).
• Cool hot foods in shallow containers so they chill faster and more safely.
• Use an appliance thermometer to verify fridge and freezer temperatures.

Sources: CDC · FDA

FAQ

How does human breast milk density compare to cow's milk?

Human mature breast milk (approximately 1.04 g/ml) is slightly denser than cow's whole milk (1.030–1.035 g/ml). The difference is small—less than 3 g per cup—and reflects the distinct fatty acid and lactose composition. Both are heavier than water by volume.

When would this volume-to-gram conversion be useful?

This conversion is relevant for infant feeding measurement when accurately converting expressed breast milk from volume (ml or oz) to weight (grams), for clinical nutrition calculations in neonatal care, and for food science or lactation research contexts. It is not a cooking or culinary ingredient.

All conversions for this ingredient

• Cup → g /en/convert/milk_human_mature_fluid_for_reference_only/cup-to-grams/
• g → Cups /en/convert/milk_human_mature_fluid_for_reference_only/grams-to-cups/
• Tbsp → g /en/convert/milk_human_mature_fluid_for_reference_only/tbsp-to-grams/
• Tsp → g /en/convert/milk_human_mature_fluid_for_reference_only/tsp-to-grams/
• mL → g /en/convert/milk_human_mature_fluid_for_reference_only/ml-to-grams/
• oz → g /en/convert/milk_human_mature_fluid_for_reference_only/oz-to-grams/