Introduction:
Breast milk provides essential nutrients for infants; hence, exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for infants up to six months. After six months, breast milk can be continued along with other solid foods for at least two years. Breast milk is clean and safe and contains antibodies that help protect infants against various illnesses and diseases. It also provides energy and nutrients to the infant during the first few months of life. In developing countries, maternal nutrition and health status have always been a matter of concern. There are different views on whether breast milk composition is influenced by maternal food intake.
Why Do Mothers Require More Calories While Breastfeeding?
The nutrient recommendations for a breastfeeding mother are frequently higher compared to other individuals. The basis of these recommendations is that, on average, a lactating mother produces 850 ml of milk every day. Thus she needs to consume sufficient food to involve each dietary component secreted in the milk.
As per various organizations in the United States, an additional maternal calorie intake of 330 to 400 kilocalories (kcal) per day is recommended for well-nourished lactating mothers in comparison with the amount they were consuming before pregnancy (around 2000 to 2800 kcal for lactating women vs. 1600 to 2400 kcal for non-pregnant and non-breastfeeding women). Studies also show that breast milk continues to provide half or more of the child's nutritional needs during the second half of the first year and up to one-third during the second year.
Should Mothers Take Nutritional Supplements While Breastfeeding?
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The basal energy requirements approximately range from 1700 to 3100 kcal, and are also conditional to the mother's age, height, weight, extent of breastfeeding, and activity level. Dietary supplementation may be required in restrictive diets or in a chronically deficient diet.
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Many nursing mothers who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet have limited amounts of vitamin B12, zinc, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and folic acid.
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Requirements for minerals such as iodine and choline increase while lactating. Therefore, lactating mothers may be at greater risk for nutritional deficiencies in such cases as they may not get adequate nutrients from diet alone.
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Multivitamin supplements can be recommended under the consultation of healthcare professionals to determine the appropriate nutritional supplements during lactation.
How Does Maternal Nutrition Influence Lactation Performance?
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Doctors advise the mother to consume adequate fluids when an exclusively breastfed infant has poor weight gain or is fussy, irritated, and dissatisfied. Studies have suggested that a reduction in milk volume is seen in severely malnourished mothers, and an increase in nutrition through supplemental food programs increases milk volume. According to another study, women consuming around 2000 ml (milliliters) of fluid daily can produce an average of 814 ml of milk daily. Doctors recommend that lactating mothers drink water or any healthy beverage whenever they breastfeed.
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Water-soluble and fat-soluble vitamins are secreted into breast milk; hence, a vitamin-rich diet is highly required during lactation. A chronically deficient diet can deplete the mother's vitamin stores, which can affect the child. An overall increased balanced food intake can benefit both the mother and the infant.
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Lactation is associated with bone resorption mainly due to low estradiol concentrations, and changes in calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are not dependent on maternal intake.
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As there is an increased requirement for iodine and choline during breastfeeding, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends the consumption of 290 mcg (micrograms) of iodine and 550 mg of choline for lactating mothers up to one year postpartum. Iodine is usually found in iodized table salt, seafood, eggs, and dairy products. Choline can be found in beans, peas, lentils, meat, eggs, and seafood.
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Breastmilk contains a wide variety of proteins, and many of these proteins are digested by rapidly growing infants, which results in a balanced source of amino acids. The protein content is higher in breast milk in the first week after delivery and gradually lowers after the second week. Studies have shown significantly higher protein concentrations in the colostrum of well-nourished mothers compared to malnourished mothers. Therefore, the maternal diet can include protein-rich foods and supplements such as whole grains, beans, lentils, eggs, dairy products, and lean meat.
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Human milk contains disaccharide lactose as the principal source of sugar and is the nutrient least likely to be affected by maternal nutrition.
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Fat is the main energy source in breast milk and is known to be the most variable of the macronutrients among individuals and also in response to maternal nutrition. Several studies demonstrated that lower fat concentrations were found in the breast milk of poorly nourished women than in adequately nourished lactating mothers.
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Eating various foods can change breast milk's flavor, which will familiarize the infant with different tastes and flavors. This might help the baby accept solid foods more easily when introduced.
Are There Any Diet Limitations During Lactation?
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Lactating mothers are advised to eat a healthy and diverse diet. In general, breastfeeding mothers need not limit or avoid specific foods; however, seafood can be limited as most fish contain some mercury accumulated in the flesh, which can pass via the breast milk from the mother to the infants. This can result in adverse effects on the brain and nervous system of infants.
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Caffeine is present in coffee, tea, chocolates, energy drinks, etc., and can pass through the breast milk to the infant. However, low-to-moderate amounts do not usually cause any adverse effects. Studies have shown irritability, fussiness, and poor sleeping patterns in infants of nursing mothers with high intakes of caffeine.
Conclusion:
Lactating mothers have increased nutrient demands compared to other normal women. Changes in the nutritional status of the mother can, in turn, affect the milk volume and composition. Some nutrients and minerals may be independent of maternal nutrition; however, research suggests that changes in maternal body composition and extreme nutritional deprivation can significantly affect breast milk production. Therefore, a healthy, balanced diet along with an adequate intake of fluids is recommended for maintaining the overall health of both the mother and the infant.
