With the many milk types out there, it can be tricky figuring out which one to pick as each one seems to have different benefits and drawbacks from one another.
And that choice can become even more difficult if you’re a new parent and want the best nourishment for your child! Breast milk, on the one hand, has many nutritional benefits that are important to an infant, while oat milk is a plant-based option that you may be interested in if you follow a plant-based diet – you may also be deciding between these two for yourself!
Either way, we have to check these two out side-by-side, looking at everything from their allergens to their nutritional profiles to their storage requirements. Then, you’ll know exactly which one of these is the choice to make.
Let’s jump in!
Comparing breast milk vs oat milk
Breast milk comes from humans, so it’s technically an animal-based milk. It contains lactose, which is important to note as it has milk as an allergen. That being said, babies produce the enzyme lactase, which means that they can digest their mother’s milk without issues!
Oat milk is plant-based, and is becoming a popular alternative to regular milk! It has no allergens, and can be used in vegan diets whereas breast milk can not.
Breast milk is suitable for paleo diets, while oat milk is not, and neither milk is good for keto diets.
| Human (breast) milk | Oat milk | |
| Type | Animal-based | Plant-based (grain) |
| Allergens | Milk* | None |
| Vegan? | No | Yes |
| Paleo? | Yes | No |
| Keto? | Likely no | No |
* Contains milk protein which may or may not be tolerated by people with a cow’s milk allergy (the most common milk allergy)
Differences between breast milk and oat milk
The main difference between breast milk and oat milk is where they come from.
Breast milk comes, well, straight from the source! Mothers usually produce breast milk to nourish their babies, as it contains all the essential components that the baby needs including antibodies, proteins, immune cells, and nutrients!
The coolest thing about breast milk is that it changes and adapts its nutritional content as the baby’s nutritional needs change!
Oat milk, on the other hand, comes from blending oats and water together. It boasts a mild and slightly sweet flavor, and often contains other sweeteners or flavorings. Oat milk also has things like guar gum, vitamins, and minerals added, which can further change its taste and texture. It’s quite easy to make oat milk at home.
How to use breast milk vs oat milk
Both breast milk and oat milk have many different uses, including:
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.
Oat milk:
- Enjoy it as a dairy-free beverage.
- Add it to your cereal and oatmeal.
- Pair it with your favorite pancake recipe.
- Put it in your coffee.
- Make smoothies with it.
Can you substitute breast milk for oat milk?
In terms of providing the nutrients needed for a baby, oat milk can not replace breast milk. Oat milk doesn’t contain the essential nutrients, proteins, antibodies, etc. that breast milk does, which makes it unusable for newborns.
In terms of using either of these for adults, oat milk is a great plant-based choice. You could technically drink breast milk as well, although that’s not super common…the science isn’t very clear about the health benefits it provides for adults, and there are health risks since it’s a bodily fluid.
So, generally speaking, you could use these interchangeably in only very few cases, but it’s recommended that breast milk is for babies and oat milk is for adults. (And that probably seems pretty obvious to you, but you’d be surprised what people do sometimes…)
Nutrition: Breast milk vs oat milk
The nutritional profile for breast milk is a little tricky as it varies from mother to mother. It further depends on the age of the baby, as their needs change as they get older. However, breast milk has important enzymes, nutrients, proteins, and more that support the baby’s physical and cognitive growth, as well as its immune system development.
You’ll generally find around 3-5% fat, 0.8-0.9% protein, and 6.9-7.2% carbohydrates in breast milk.
Oat milk is very low in carbs, and has almost no fat in it! It has 8 grams of carbs per serving, with no sugar and almost no protein – it’s very poor in protein with just 1 gram per serving. However, it makes up for it with a great calcium and vitamin D content!
| Per 1 cup (237 ml/8 oz.) | Human (breast) milk | Oat milk |
| Calories | Varies among lactating mothers and age of nursing child. | 45 |
| Total fat (saturated) | 0.5 g (0 g) | |
| Total carbs | 8 g | |
| Total sugars (incl. added) | 0 g | |
| Protein | 1 g | |
| Calcium | 25% DV | |
| Vit D | 20% DV |
How to store breast milk and oat milk
Breast milk should be stored in a clean and sterilized bottle with the lid tightly shut. Keep it in the fridge, where it’ll last for up to 4 days, but you can freeze it and keep it for around 6-12 months if you want to store it for longer.
Oat milk can be stored at room temperature until it’s opened for 1-4 months if it’s in an aseptic carton. Keep it in a cool and dry place, and place it in the fridge after you open it – finish it within 7-10 days after opening.
Breast milk vs oat milk: The ultimate verdict
These are very different types of milk, with unique pros and cons.
You can make a case for using either as an adult, although there are many things that are unclear about breast milk use other than with babies…
Overall, breast milk is the better option for babies as it contains all the components needed to support their development, while oat milk is the better option for adults as it’s low in calories and sugar, and doesn’t have the health risks that breast milk has for adults.
FAQs
Breast milk is better for babies, while oat milk is better for adults.
You’ll find health benefits and drawbacks in many different types of milk, so check them out to find one that fits your needs – or talk to a health professional!
That depends on the type and brand – some oat milks have added sweeteners, which raises the sugar content. Otherwise, it’s very low in sugar. Check the labels to be sure you’re getting what you want!
Breast milk is considered better for infants due to its nutritional properties, but cow’s milk is generally better as we move on from being babies.
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