Breast Milk vs Coconut Milk: Which is Better? 

There are many milk types out there, and choosing just one can be a daunting task…

That task is even more difficult if you’re trying to figure out what’s best for a baby in terms of safety and nourishment – in this case, is breast milk or coconut milk better?

Well, that question requires us to dive into both of these and figure out what each one has going for them. We’ll also compare them in many ways, ultimately seeing which milk is the better choice!

So, is breast milk or coconut milk better?

Let’s find out!

Comparing breast milk vs coconut milk 

Breast milk comes from humans, so it’s considered an animal-based milk. It has milk as an allergen, but contains the enzyme lactase which makes it lactose-free! It’s not suitable for vegan and keto diets, but it works in paleo ones!

Coconut milk is plant-based, and is a popular dairy-alternative. It has tree nuts as an allergen technically, but many people with tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut products, so talk to your physician to be safe! It’s also great for vegan, paleo, and keto diets, giving it lots of dietary versatility!  

	Human (breast) milk	Coconut milk
Type	Animal-based	Plant-based (nut milk)
Allergens	Milk*	Tree nuts**
Vegan?	No	Yes
Paleo?	Yes	Yes
Keto?	Likely no	Yes

* Contains milk protein which may or may not be tolerated by people with a cow’s milk allergy (the most common milk allergy)

**Most people with tree nut allergies can consume coconut products, so talk to your physician!

Differences between breast milk and coconut milk

The main difference between breast milk and coconut milk is where they come from.

Breast milk is straight from humans, and provides the perfect nourishment for developing babies – it’s like a superfood! It contains all the essential nutrients like proteins, antibodies, immune cells, and more! Plus, it changes to fit the needs of the baby as it grows!

Coconut milk comes from coconuts, and is offered in two different versions: carton coconut milk and canned coconut milk. 

Carton coconut milk is the thin, coconuty beverage that you drink, while canned coconut milk is mostly solid at room temperature and used for baking and cooking coconut-inspired dishes!

Carton coconut milk is made by blending thicker coconut milk or coconut cream with water, while canned coconut milk is made by heating high-fat coconut pulp in hot water and then extracting the liquid from the solid pulp. As mentioned, coconut milk is quite thin, but boasts a delicious creaminess!

How to use breast milk vs coconut milk 

Try using your breast milk and coconut milk in these delicious ways:

Breast milk:

• Breastfeed with it (the usual way of using it).
• Mixing with baby cereals to introduce solids.
• Bottle-feeding with it. 
• Mixing into baby food. 
• Soothing skin irritations, as it’s believed to have healing properties.
• Adding to smoothies for its nutritional qualities.

Coconut milk:

• Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
• Make coconut creamer with it.
• Add it to your smoothies.
• Splash it over your cereal or into your oatmeal.
• Bake and cook with it for a tropical addition.
• Make coconut yogurt.

Can you substitute breast milk for coconut milk?

This gets a little tricky, as there are different recommendations for babies and adults. Breast milk is usually the only choice here for babies, as coconut milk doesn’t contain the important nutrients necessary for the baby’s growth. 

For adults, it’s generally recommended not to drink breast milk due to the health risks of consuming bodily fluids, and the science behind the suggested benefits is a bit unclear. So, exercise caution or talk to your physician if you want to use these interchangeably as an adult.

Nutrition: Breast milk vs coconut milk

Breast milk’s nutritional profile varies from mother to mother and on how old the baby is. The important nutrients it contains adapt and change as time goes on, but you can generally find around 3-5% fat, 0.8-0.9% protein, and 6.9-7.2% carbohydrates in breast milk. 

Coconut milk is quite low in calories, and has 3.5 grams of saturated fat per serving. It’s also low in carbs, with just 2 grams per serving. There is almost no sugar in it, but it’s a poor protein source, containing none at all. However, you’ll enjoy a solid calcium and vitamin D content!

Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.)	Human (breast) milk	Coconut milk
Calories	Varies among lactating mothers and age of nursing child.	40
Total fat (saturated)		4 g (3.5 g)
Total carbs		2 g
Total sugars (incl. added)		<1 g (0 g)
Protein		0 g
Calcium		45% DV
Vit D		20% DV

How to store breast milk and coconut milk

Breast milk should be stored in a clean and sterilized bottle in the fridge. Keep the lid tightly shut, and use it up within 4 days. However, you can freeze for around 6-12 months if you want to store it for longer.

Carton coconut milk should be stored in the fridge and be consumed within 5-7 days after opening. Canned coconut milk should be stored in an airtight container and kept in the fridge after opening it, where it’ll last about 7 days.

That said, keep in mind that full-fat coconut milk lasts longer than low-fat types, and you can also freeze your coconut milk if you want to keep it for up to a month!

Breast milk vs coconut milk: Which is better?

So, it all comes down to this…

Both breast milk and coconut milk have some great benefits and are quite unique choices in the world of milk!

Now, I recommend coconut milk if you’re an adult, as breast milk has some health risks associated with it. However, breast milk is much better for developing babies, as it contains all the essential nutrients needed for growth.

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