DHA Test
$49.95
DHA Test
$49.95
The Mother’s Milk DHA Test measures the amount of omega-3 DHA in breast milk. Studies show breast milk is the best way to deliver DHA to your growing baby. View sample report >
Omega-3 DHA is an important component of a baby’s developing brain and it is present in breast milk. DHA levels in breast milk, like blood, go up and down mainly based on how much you eat. We recommend Mother’s Milk DHA levels of at least 0.32% to meet the needs of the infant’s growing brain.
Mother’s Milk DHA levels are related to:
2-4 Weeks after Giving Birth:
DHA levels change naturally in breast milk, especially in the first few days after delivery (called “colostrum”) to the later stages (“mature milk”). We are aiming to measure the proportion of DHA in mature milk.
First Feeding Session of the Day:
As all new mothers know, the term “day” should be used loosely. Aim to collect a sample during the “first” feeding of the day, before you eat breakfast or take a supplement. The same timing goes for pumped milk.
Anytime during the Feed:
Because we are measuring a percent of fat instead of a total amount of fat, the Mother’s Milk DHA level is not affected by the changes in fat content between the watery fore milk or the creamy hind milk.
DHA levels change naturally in breast milk, especially in the first few days after delivery (called “colostrum”) to the later stages (“mature milk”). We are aiming to measure the proportion of DHA in mature milk.
First Feeding Session of the Day:
As all new mothers know, the term “day” should be used loosely. Aim to collect a sample during the “first” feeding of the day, before you eat breakfast or take a supplement. The same timing goes for pumped milk.
Anytime during the Feed:
Because we are measuring a percent of fat instead of a total amount of fat, the Mother’s Milk DHA level is not affected by the changes in fat content between the watery fore milk or the creamy hind milk.
If your DHA levels are optimal with your first testing, and you maintain the same health status, diet, and/or supplement regimen, then once is enough. However, if your levels are low, and you decide to increase your intake of DHA (via fish or fish oil pills), then you can take the test as soon as two weeks after your previous test. (It only takes two weeks to change the levels of DHA in your breast milk!)
Calculate Your Mother's Milk DHA Requirements
This recommendation is meant to be a guide for how much DHA you may need in your diet to reach your Mother’s Milk DHA target, based on research by Makrides et al. 1996. Up to 3,000 mg per day of EPA and DHA is considered safe and is set as the upper limit in the calculator. We recommend you test at 1 month postpartum and again in 2-4 weeks to see if your diet changes are working for you. Please consult your healthcare provider before making any major changes to your diet. Learn more...
The Mother's Milk DHA Test measures the amount of this important nutrient in your blood using a simple finger prick collection method that you can do at home.
Only enter the DHA you are getting through supplements, which you can find on the Nutrient Facts Panel on the back of your supplement. Don't try to guess how much you are getting through food and sunlight.
Having low prenatal DHA levels is related to a higher risk of postpartum depression
Risk of asthma reduced in children whose mothers had higher blood DHA and EPA levels during pregnancy
Supplementation of EPA+DHA during pregnancy increased children’s IQ at 4 years
Dietary intake of DHA in US pregnant women is about 60 mg per day, only about 30% of what they need.
Plasma EPA+DHA levels during early to mid-pregnancy predict risk of early preterm birth.
Raising blood DHA levels in women with a Prenatal DHA less than 5% in early pregnancy reduced risk for early preterm birth.
Meta-analysis finds that supplemental omega-3 during pregnancy lowered risk of preterm birth by 11% and early preterm birth by 42%.
Higher blood DHA levels in pregnancy were related to lower risk of preterm birth in Australian women.
Supported by science.
- Actionable:
Fatty acid levels start changing as soon as you change your diet and lifestyle and stabilize in 2-3 weeks. - Personalized:
Personalized recommendations based off your test results. - Certified:
Samples are processed in our CLIA certified laboratory. - Validated:
The same validated and standardized sample processing methodology used in over 200 research studies. - Compare:
Reference ranges show you how you compare to your peers.
It is important to remember that while dose matters, your DHA level matters most. Once you have established a dose that gets you to the .32% range or higher, then you need to maintain that dose or dietary regimen to keep your level in the optimal range.
