Nutrient requirements during lactation are significantly higher than during pregnancy.
At a conference held under the auspices of the US National Institutes of Health on the topic of «Use of Nutritional Supplements in Women: Current Status and Future Directions», conclusions were drawn about the nutrient needs of not only pregnant women but also nursing mothers.
As a general rule, the recommendations apply exclusively to breastfeeding during the first 6 months of a child’s life, as the mother’s nutrition and nutrient reserves must be sufficient and transferred to the child in adequate quantities. The composition of milk is variable and depends on the mother’s diet, which is especially evident in the content of vitamins and minerals.
Nutrient requirements during lactation are significantly higher than during pregnancy.
The reason for this is that during the first 4–6 months of their lives, babies double their birth weight. The milk secreted during these 4 months provides energy equivalent to the total energy requirements of the entire pregnancy period. The concentration of nutrients in the mother’s diet is important during lactation, as the expected increase in energy requirements is smaller than the increase in nutrient requirements. Additionally, it has been concluded that the need for certain vitamins and minerals during breastfeeding is greater than during pregnancy, namely vitamin C, vitamins B1, B6, B12, pantothenic acid, biotin, choline, vitamin E, zinc, iodine, selenium, and others.
We can conclude that a healthy diet, which meets the need for nutrients, is very important during breastfeeding, both for the mother to prevent exhaustion and for the baby to ensure proper growth and development.
A daily nutritional supplement designed for breastfeeding mothers is not a substitute for a healthy diet, but it serves as a reliable source of support during this important time in life for both you and your baby.
Mary Frances Picciano (2003). Pregnancy and Lactation: Physiological Adjustments, Nutritional Requirements and the Role of Dietary Supplements. The Journal of Nutrition. vol. 133 no. 6.p. 1997S-2002S
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