Pregnancy and the delivery of a baby demands a great deal from a women’s body, and breastfeeding is no exception, in fact the recommendation is to consume an extra 2000kj per day of specific nutrients, including carbohydrates, protein, fatty acids, dietary fibre and many functional vitamin and minerals. Many women consider that after a child is born it is time for them to get their bodies back into shape, by limiting kilojoules. This can limit required nutrition to the baby in one of the most rapid growth phases of life. It’s a demanding time for both the mother and baby, but can be the most rewarding creating great health for the lifetime of the child.

What nutrition is required?

The Australian Nutrient Reference Values recommend the following nutritional increases:

• Water – an extra 500mls each day
• Dietary fibre – increase to 30g/day
• Linoleic acid – increase to 12g/day
• Alpha-Linoleic acid – increase to 1.2g/day
• Long chain Omega 3 Fatty acids – massive increase to 145g/day
• Protein – large increase to 67g/day (or 1.1g per/kilogram of ideal weight range)

B VITAMINS

• B1 Thiamin – increase to 1.4g/day
• B2 Riboflavin – increase to 1.6g/day
• B3 Niacin – increase to 17mg/day
• B5 Pantothenic acid – increase to 6mg/day
• B6 Pyridoxine increase to 2.0g/day
• B7 Biotin increase to 35mg/day
• B9 Folate increase a larger amount to 500mg/day
• B12 Cobalamin – increase to 2.8mg/day

VITAMINS

• Vitamin A – massive increase to 1100mg/day
• Vitamin C – larger increase to 40mg/day
• Vitamin E – increase to 11mg/day

MINERALS

• Chromium – increase to 45mcg/day
• Iodine – large increase to 270mcg/day
• Molybdenum – increase to 50mcg/day
• Potassium – large increase to 3200mg/day
• Selenium – increase to 75mcg/day
• Zinc – increase to 12mg/day

A lactating mother (on average) produces approximately 750mls of milk per day, but this can vary significantly between women. Although there are many reasons for this variance, sufficient kilojoules are required to manufacture this quantity of milk, excellent nutrition is required to create the full componentry required for quality milk, and fluid intake is required for volume in creating flow through the milk ducts (limiting mastitis). This is a busy time in the life of a family and is essential to the health of the baby and mother that supplementation of the above nutrients is undertaken when required. If you are looking for more support call today to speak with one of our Naturopaths. Call (07) 5532 2069 to arrange a free 15 minute consult.