Table 1 Previous definitions of foremilk and hindmilk

Valentine et al., 1994 [11]

Breastmilk collected 2–3 min after milk flow.

Remaining breastmilk collected through complete breast emptying.

Foremilk fraction comprised 40% of the total milk volume.

24–35

Uyan et al.,

2005 [15]

Breastmilk collected 2–3 min milk after flow.

Remaining breastmilk collected during complete breast emptying.

Neither foremilk nor hindmilk is superior to the placebo in relieving pain (during heel prick).

Full-term

Bishara et al., 2008 [16]

Breastmilk collected 3 min after milk flow.

Remaining breastmilk collected until the breast is emptied.

Retinol, tocopherol, fat, energy, and nitrogen concentrations were significantly higher in hindmilk than foremilk.

< 28

Bishara et al., 2009 [17]

Breastmilk collected 3 min after milk flow.

Remaining breastmilk collected until milk flow ceases.

Foremilk volume comprised approximately 40% of the total milk volume.

< 28

Murase et al., 2009 [18]

Breastmilk collected from 3 nipple openings by hand expression before breastfeeding.

Breastmilk collected from three nipple openings by hand expression after breastfeeding.

The fat and protein content of foremilk and hindmilk differed across milk ducts despite being expressed from the same breast.

Full-term

van Sadelhoff et al., 2018 [19]

The first 30-mL of breastmilk after milk flow.

The remaining volume of breastmilk.

Hindmilk, compared with foremilk, had a higher total protein content but lower total free amino acid content.

Full-term

Takumi et al., 2022 [20]

Breastmilk collected before the breastfeeding session.

Breastmilk collected after the same breastfeeding session.

Hindmilk had a higher fat concentration than foremilk.

Full-term