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Nutrition needs of a Nursing Mother
In general, quality of mother's food intake does not effect the quality of breast milk, the nutrition is important for the mother's own health
Mother's Milk
In general, nutrition of the mother does not effect the quality of the breast-milk. Mother does pass certain characteristics such as taste through milk. Yes! babies do start to develop their taste for curry (onions, garlic, ginger, spices), oranges, limes, cauliflower etcetera through mother's milk. Some of these show up as problems. If a baby has a problem, mother should figure out what she ate in previous 24 hours and try to eliminate that food. Nicotine, alcohol, medications, and pesticides are passed through. Breast-milk provides baby with 1,000kcal/day.
Nutrition Profile of Human Milk (Breast Milk)
Lactation Aides
In general mother needs to produce about 25 ounces of milk per day. Mother's diet does effect the quantity of milk. The production of milk is regulated on as needed basis automatically by the body. The only obvious need to help lactation is the water. On the other hand, too much water consumption by mother can retard milk production. In general, fenugreek seeds, fennel, dried fruits, dried ginger, coconut, almonds, poppy seeds, garlic, bananas and saffron are considered to help increase milk production.
Controlled studies have shown the Fenugreek seeds to increase milk production by more than 50% within 24 to 72 hours. I have included a special chutney containing most of these ingredients, Fenugreek Chutney .
Mother's Nutrition & Breast Milk Quality
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. Most of the vitamins are passed from mother's blood to the milk. If a mother takes excessive amounts of fat soluble vitamins (A, D , E and K) they can concentrate in the milk and be harmful to the infant.
Mother's Nutritional Needs
Water Intake
Nursing mother produces about 25 ounce of milk daily. Mother needs to replace this fluid and then some. If the mother's normal intake is 8 cups (8oz) per day, it should be increased to 12 cups a day. Feeling thirsty or constipation are signs that mother needs added water. Mother should always follow nursing with a drink of water. Do NOT over do it. Excessive water intake can retard milk production.
Caloric Intake
Nursing mother spends about 500kcal to produce milk. Caloric intake should be increased by 500kcal. If the mother plans to nurse baby for more than 3 months, the caloric intake should be increased by 800kcal. Of course as the needs to produce milk is reduced, the caloric intake requirements are reduced.
Proteins
A nursing mother should intake 1 gram for each pound of her body weight per day.
Calcium
A nursing mother loses 240mg of Calcium per day, that should be made up.
Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
During pregnancy as well as while nursing, folic acid is vital for the baby's nervous system. If the mother was on birth control pills prior to pregnancy, she needs more folic acid.
Needs for Vitamin A, C, Magnesium, and Zinc are also increased.
DHA
DHA is needed for the continued brain and vision development of the baby. The amount of DHA present in the breast milk depends on the amount of DHA available in the mother. Nursing mother should have about 250 mg DHA per day.
Dietary Restrictions
Nursing mother should avoid allergenic foods if one of the parents suffers from food allergies, asthma, or eczema. Common allergenic foods are: milk and dairy products, egg, fish, peanuts, and soy.
Prenatal Vitamins
Continue taking prenatal vitamins. Vegetarian mothers should consider taking vitamin B12
Nursing mothers should avoid rapid weight loss programs
At delivery, mother loses about 12 pounds in baby weight, placenta, amniotic fluids, and blood. During first month you lose another five pounds in excessive water. After that, you lose, you lose about one to two pounds per week from extra weigh stored. After 3 months, your body loses weight more rapidly after the storage is exhausted.