Written by Claudia Botzet, former SDSU Extension Nutrition Field Specialist.
Breastfeeding moms have higher caloric needs than non-breastfeeding women. The additional calories generally needed are similar to the recommended caloric intake during the second trimester, an additional 330-400 calories. A few examples of snacks that can help reach the additional energy requirements are a handful of mixed nuts (175 calories), a boiled egg (78 calories), a cheese stick (110 calories), a whole wheat bagel (330 calories), or a spoonful of peanut butter (about 190 calories).
Breastfeeding mothers should be consuming a diet that supports all energy and nutritional needs. This includes a diet with all colors of fruits and vegetables, lean protein, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Nutrients to consider in the maternal diet are folate/folic acid, iodine, choline, calcium, and vitamin D.
Folate/Folic Acid
- Folate is primarily recommended for women of childbearing age to prevent birth defects if conception occurs.
- Aids in red blood cell formation and cell growth and function.
Choline
- Supports infants' growth.
- Maintains maternal immune system and intestinal health.
Calcium
- Supports the mothers' muscles, bones, and teeth.
- Helps the infants' bones and teeth develop.
Iodine
- Regulates mothers’ thyroid hormones.
- Regulates infants’ metabolism.
- Aids the development of infant’s bones, nervous system and brain.
Vitamin D
- Supports the mothers' muscles, bones, and teeth.
- Helps the infants' bones and teeth develop.
Avoiding alcohol during lactation and breastfeeding is the safest option for the infant. Moderate alcohol consumption by the mother is not known to be harmful to the breastfeeding infant, especially if it has been 2 hours since alcohol was consumed. Alcohol consumption above this amount can lead to reduced milk production and affect the infant's growth, development, and sleep patterns.
Limit Caffeine intake. A small amount of caffeine can travel through the breastmilk and cause the baby to refuse sleep and become irritable.
The recommendation of taking a pre/post-natal supplement while breastfeeding varies by each individual. Depending on the mother's diet, a vitamin supplement may not be needed. Supplementation strategies should take into account the diet restrictions of the mother, and how it may impact the infants milk supply. For example, a mother who is unable to consume dairy products should consume other food and beverage sources of calcium and vitamin D or a supplement.
Special Diets During Breastfeeding
Elimination Diet
Food the mother consumes passes through to the infant by breastmilk in varying quantities. Elimination diets are often brought into play when infants are experiencing symptoms beyond fussiness, such as frequent spitting up and vomiting, colic, rash, congestion, or blood in their stools. Infants can experience these symptoms when they have allergies to food in the mother's diet. The foods initially taken out of the mother’s diet in this situation are dairy, soy and egg products. All foods can be removed, or one food can be removed at a time. These foods must remain out of the mother’s diet for 2 to 4 weeks to be able to see if the babies' symptoms improve. If the baby does not improve, a formula substitution may need to be made, or there may be a different problem present. If the baby does improve, one type of food at a time will be introduced back into the mother's diet to see if infants' symptoms return. If symptoms return, the mother should avoid that food item to ensure the baby receives adequate nutrition. It is important to keep in mind that fussiness is a common infant symptom and is not a direct indicator of a food allergy. Before starting an elimination diet, please visit your provider to ensure it is the right choice for you and your baby.
Alternative Diets
Women who are breastfeeding can remain nourished while following alternative eating patterns. The goal is to always nourish the mother and child, without forcing supplementation or other products that are not part of a normal diet. Women following a vegetarian or vegan diet should plan their meals out to ensure they are consuming adequate amounts of calories, protein, vitamin D and B12, iron, zinc and calcium.
References
- Judith E. Brown. Nutrition Through the Life Cycle. 2020
- CDC. Maternal Diet
- National Library of Medicine. Feeding a Mixture of Choline Forms during Lactation Improves Offspring Growth and Maternal Lymphocyte Response to Ex Vivo Immune Challenges
- Center for Disease and Prevention. Alcohol
- ScienceDirect. Presentation and Management of Food Allergy in Breastfed Infants and Risks of Maternal Elimination Diets
