The nutrient needs of young infants are typically estimated from the average amount consumed from breastmilk, assuming milk has evolved as the ideal food. However, this does not hold true for all nutrients, and milk composition varies considerably between individuals. The MILQ Study addressed these limitations by recruiting healthy, well-nourished mothers across four countries using a standardized collection protocol, generating comprehensive reference values for macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals, along with calculations of total infant intake. This provides more reliable universal reference targets than previously available.
