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How mother's nutrition effects the breast milk?

In general, mother's nutrition does not effect the quantity or the quality of breast milk to supports growth of an infant for the first six months

 During pregnancy, the body stores away the nutrients that will be needed for producing milk. If the stored nutrients and the mother's diet is poor, it may adversely effect the mother's health and only then the infant's health. If the food intake is severely restricted, it will reduce the quantity of milk produced.

1. Mother passes taste characteristics of food through breast milk.

Yes! Indian infants do acquire taste for curry from mother's milk

The flavors that are usually passed on are: onions, garlic, ginger, spices), oranges, limes, cauliflower.

2. Mother passes on: Nicotine, alcohol, medications, and pesticides.

3. The DHA and ARA are needed for brain and vision development. Amount of DHA depends on the diet of the mother. In United States, it is customary to prescribe 250 mg of DHA supplement for the mother during pregnancy as well as during nursing.

4. Mother's diet should allow for sufficient Calcium intake. If the mother's Calcium level in blood is not adequate, breast milk will draw on Calcium from the bones. Mother should drink 2 to 3 cups of milk per day.

5. During 3rd semester, the fetus stores away Iron, copper and zinc in the liver. Iron is  adequate for six months, provided the infant is kept on breast milk only. When the infant is weaned off the breast milk, infant may need iron drops. Copper and zinc are adequate for 12 months.

7. Selenium, and Iodine depend on mother food intake.

4. Fat soluble vitamins  (Vitamins A, D, E and K) are not effected by the mother's nutrition.  Still mother should avoid excessive amounts of these vitamins, they may be harmful to the infant.

5. Water soluble vitamins (Especially Vitamin C and B2) may be effected by the water intake of the mother.

6. The minerals (iron, copper, chromium, zinc, etc.) in the mother's milk are not effected by those in her blood. These minerals are needed to maintain mother's own health.