Virtual Medical Centre

Nutrition During Breastfeeding

• The importance of nutrition during breastfeeding
• Energy and nutrient requirements during breastfeeding
  • Energy
  • Protein
  • Other nutrients
• Comparison of nutrient requirements in pregnancy and lactation

The importance of nutrition during breastfeeding

During the first six months after delivery, the baby is fed only on breast milk, and the baby depends on the mother for all nutrient requirements. Eating a healthy diet while you are breastfeeding is important because what you eat determines the energy, protein, nutrient and vitamin content of your breast milk. Additionally, some minerals and vitamins are required for body processes such as healing wounds quickly (e.g. vitamin C and zinc). Nutritional demands during lactation are high and can have a negative impact on both you and your infant if they are not met. Your daily diet will be adequate provided that your food selection and preparation is appropriate.

Energy and nutrient requirements during breastfeeding

Nutritional needs during breastfeeding are increased in response to breast milk production. They must meet the requirements of both baby and mother.

Energy

An additional 500 kcal for the first six months, and 400 kcal during the next six months, are required for a lactating mother. This can be met by eating, for example, an extra 6-8 slices of bread per day. Simply eating more of the usual balanced diet should allow you to meet the higher energy demand while you breastfeed. On average, 100 ml of human milk gives 70 kcal of energy. During the first six months after delivery, 750 ml of breast milk is produced daily. If the extra demand for energy is not met from dietary sources, then your reserved fat stores will be used instead.

Protein

The increase in protein requirements during lactation are minimal compared to that of energy. However, if your energy intake is low, protein will be used for energy production. The additional protein requirements during lactation can be met by consuming protein rich foods (e.g. one egg or 25 g of cheese or 175 g of milk). If you do not have a high enough protein intake, then the proportion of casein in your milk may be reduced. Casein protein is an important component of your milk, and helps to provide your baby with calcium and phosphate. It also forms a clot in the stomach that allows more efficient nutrition. Insulin resistance is modulated by protein quality, rather than quantity. Proteins derived from fish might have the most desirable effects on insulin sensitivity.

Other nutrients

Your intake of some nutrients (e.g. vitamins C, A, thiamine, riboflavin, B6, B12, iodine and selenium) is reflected in your breast milk composition. Newborn babies have very little amounts of these particular nutrients, and so they rely on breast milk for an adequate supply. Good sources of iodine are seafood and iodised salt. On the other hand, nutrients in your breast milk such as zinc, iron, folic acid, vitamin D, calcium, and copper are not affected by what you eat. The levels of these nutrients in human milk are constant, despite variations in the mother's diet or body stores. Dietary and supplemental intake of these nutrients during lactation will benefit you more than your baby.

Calcium is essential during lactation because it is required for milk production. An intake of 1000 mg calcium per day is required during the first six months after delivery. 500 ml of milk or milk products per day must be taken in addition to eating calcium rich foods, such as green leafy vegetables and fish.

Comparison of nutrient requirements in pregnancy and lactation

The table below shows the daily requirements of some important nutrients in pregnancy and lactation. The data shown is for women between 19 and 30 years of age. Some variations in daily requirements may be seen outside of that age bracket. During breastfeeding, more energy and vitamin A are required compared to during pregnancy. Additional increases in calcium during pregnancy and lactation are not needed in women whose usual diet is rich in dairy products and other good sources of calcium.