A nursing mother's diet: is it really needed?

Has it ever happened to you that a doctor or a nurse came to check on your newborn and put you on a strict diet where only water, buckwheat and boiled chicken are allowed? I was told to follow one.

I hope you have not come across this, because such a diet does not exist.

We cannot ignore the fact that following such a diet leads mothers to give up breastfeeding! Just imagine- lack of sleep, a constantly crying baby, and on top of that you have to keep to a diet and cannot even get a dose of endorphins from a chocolate bar. It is quite natural that it then becomes easier to give the baby formula.

It should be remembered that the low rate of breastfeeding in most countries of the Region is explained not by physiological but by social and psychological barriers.

What the WHO says about the nutrition of a nursing mother

It is extremely desirable to ensure good nutrition of the mother during pregnancy and lactation in order to meet the increased energy requirements.

All women of childbearing age must be aware of the importance of continuing a balanced diet that includes large amounts of fruit and vegetables (more than 400 g/day).

Not a word about a diet.

The WHO notes that nutrition IS PRIMARILY IMPORTANT FOR THE HEALTH OF THE WOMAN HERSELF, and not of the child; it matters for the prevention of anaemia and other deficiency conditions, as well as of insufficient body weight.

How the mother's nutrition affects breast milk

The mother's nutrition has little effect on the composition of the milk and on the child's development:

There is a common international opinion, based on scientific data obtained in developing countries where protein-energy deficiency and malnutrition are widespread, that even underweight and anaemic women are able to maintain milk production in sufficient quantity throughout the whole recommended period. Moreover, the results of most studies show that, unless the mother is extremely thin (body mass index below 18.5) and has a persistently negative energy balance (57), a negative effect of insufficient nutrition on lactation is unlikely.

There is evidence that if the mother's fat stores are reduced, this may lower the fat content of breast milk.

So what really is not allowed?

Alcohol.

What should be limited?

Sea fish which may contain mercury, for example tuna.

A little more interesting information

The energy costs of lactation are much higher than those of pregnancy.

The main factor determining the additional energy requirements during lactation is the energy content of the milk produced. Assuming milk production of approximately 750 ml/day and a gross calorie content of milk of about 2.8 kJ (0.67 kcal)/ml, approximately 2.1 MJ (500 kcal) of energy per day is released into the milk. Additional energy is also required to cover the costs of synthesising breast milk. Therefore, estimates show that with full breastfeeding on the child's demand and with the additional energy stores laid down in the mother's body during pregnancy remaining available, the additional energy requirements.

Therefore a nursing woman needs to consume approximately 500 kcal more than non-nursing women.

Eat as varied, balanced and, most importantly, TASTY as possible!