Milk, Human, Mature, Fluid (For Reference Only) – tbsp to grams
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.
Quick convert
- US cup = 236.588 mL
- 1 tbsp = 14.787 mL
- 1 tsp = 4.929 mL
Reference table
| tbsp | g |
|---|---|
| 1 | 15 |
| 2 | 31 |
| 3 | 46 |
| 4 | 62 |
| 5 | 77 |
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.
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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.