Nutrition for Breastfeeding Q & A
Written by Helen   
Nutrition for Breastfeeding Q & A

Q. Does a Breastfeeding mother need to increase her calorie intake?

A. A breastfeeding mum should eat to satisfy her hunger and not necessarily increase or limit her calorie intake. It would be recommended that a mother eat a diet high in nutrient content and eat from all the food groups.

It has been shown that if the mother takes a good quality fish oil supplement while breastfeeding it can positively affect the fatty acid content of her breastmilk. This is important as fatty acids are necessary for brain development. (1)

Q. Do I need to increase my fluid intake because I am breastfeeding?

A. In non-lactating people thirst is generally believed to be a sign that the person is already dehydrated. This is not believed to be the case in breastfeeding mothers. A mother should drink to thirst and does not need to significantly increase her total fluid intake (2) Water would be the preferred choice.

Q. Will the baby get enough Vitamins from my breastmilk, especially Vitamin D?

A. The vitamin content of breastmilk is only minimally affected by the mother’s diet (3). The baby will receive adequate vitamins from the mother’s reserves. This would mean however, that for the mother to maintain her own health, she should be sure to eat a nutrient rich diet or take a good quality supplement.

There is some controversy surrounding vitamin D and a baby’s requirements. However, a breastfed baby who is exposed to the sun for short periods of time regularly and who’s mother is not vitamin D deficient herself, should not require supplementation (4).If a mother is concerned she could take a vitamin D supplement which will increase the amount in her milk.

Q. What about Calcium and Iron?

A. Babies are born with a reserve of iron which is thought to be sufficient together with the iron in breastmilk for the first 6 months if the baby is exclusively breastfed (5). The lactoferrin content of breastmilk helps the baby to absorb iron very efficiently from the milk.

The calcium content of breastmilk is not affected by maternal diet. The calcium in breastmilk is also very easily absorbed by the baby. Many mothers worry that breastfeeding will reduce their calcium supplies and lead to osteoporosis. This has however been shown not to be the case.(6)

Q. Can I drink alcohol or smoke while I am breastfeeding?

A. Having an occasional alcoholic beverage while breastfeeding is not believed to be cause for concern.(7)

Smoking is never a good option, however if a mother is unable to stop then it is probably better to smoke and breastfeed than to smoke and formula feed. Smoking can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and asthma but there is evidence that breastfed babies are at a lower risk of SIDS (8) and asthma.(9)

References

  1. Dusdieker LB, et al: Effect of supplemental fluids on milk production. J Pediatr 106:207-11,1985.
  2. Bates, CJ, Prentice A: Breast Milk as a source of vitamins, essential minerals and trace elements. Pharmacol Ther. 62:193-220, 1994.
  3. Greer FR, Marshall S: Bone mineral content, serum vitamin D metabolite concentrations, and ultraviolet B light exposure in infants fed human milk with and without vitamin D2 supplements .J Pediatr.114:204-12, 1989.
  4. Duncan B, et al: Iron and the exclusively breast-fed infant from birth to six months. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.4:412-25, 1985
  5. Dunstan, Janet A., et al: The effects of fish oil supplementation in pregnancy on breast milk fatty acid composition over the course of lactation: A randomized controlled trial. Pediatric Research. December 2007 - Volume 62 - Issue 6 - pp 689-694.
  6. Kalkwarf HJ, Specker BL: Bone mineral loss during lactation and recovery after weaning. Obstet Gynecol 86:26-32, 1995.
  7. Little RE, et al: Alcohol, breastfeeding, and development at 18 months. Pediatrics.2002 ;109(5):E72-2.
  8. Venneman MM, et al: Does breastfeeding reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome? Pediatrics. 2009 Mar;123(3):e406-10.
  9. Oddy WH: Breastfeeding and asthma in children: findings from a West Australian study. Breastfeed Rev. 2000 Mar;8(1):5-11
 
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