Pregnancy & Motherhood
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Dietary Supplementation During Lactation
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Table of Contents 9
Most women remember to supplement their diet during pregnancy, but less is said about this requirement during the equally important period of breastfeeding. Milk production requires a lot of energy and is often a challenge for the mother's body. To ensure an adequate level of health and nutrition, a breastfeeding woman should pay special attention to her diet, but even if her diet is balanced and varied, it is worth remembering the recommended nutritional supplementation.
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Does the requirement for nutrients genuinely change during breastfeeding?
During the lactation period, the caloric requirement generally increases. It is estimated that it increases by about 500 kcal in the first six months and by 400 kcal later (depending on the age, height, weight, and physical activity of the breastfeeding woman). Obviously, more energy is needed to breast-feed more than one child. Energy should be provided by a diverse, well-balanced diet. In line with the increase in caloric demand, the need for nutrients also increases. It is worth noting that the demand for protein also increases during lactation. Before pregnancy, the daily intake was 0.8-0.9 g per kg of body weight, during pregnancy 1.1-1.2 g, and during lactation 1.3-1.45 g. Therefore, it is important to ensure an adequate intake of protein products such as dairy products, meat, fish, eggs, or legumes. Fats should continue to make up about 30% of the daily energy requirement, and carbohydrates 45-65%. It is worth noting that a nursing mother should drink about 2.7 liters of fluids during the day. The diet has certainly a small impact on the composition of the food, but the amount of some nutrients in milk depends on what the mother eats.
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Endorsed supplementation during breastfeeding
The Polish Society of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Child Nutrition and the Polish Society of Gynecologists and Obstetricians emphasize the importance of including key nutrients, including vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids (DHA), folic acid, iodine, and calcium, which support proper infant development and maternal health.
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Vitamin D: its functions, significance, and role in health
Vitamin D plays a significant role in maintaining appropriate bone mineral density and regulating calcium and phosphorus concentrations. This is particularly important during lactation, when the loss of calcium from the bone increases. Supplementation of vitamin D is recommended for the entire population, and during lactation in women with a normal BMI it is recommended to take vitamin D at a dose of 1500 to 2000 IU per day or adequately to its blood level. It is also worth noting that vitamin D only passes into breast milk to a limited extent, so supplementation is also necessary for the child.
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Highly unsaturated fatty acids
The composition of fatty acids that a breastfeeding mother consumes significantly impacts her nutrition. Highly unsaturated fatty acids play a critical role in the development and function of vision as well as the nervous and immune systems. An important component of a breastfeeding mother's diet should be docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which is naturally found in fatty fish, seafood, and seaweed. However, in Poland, the consumption of fish and seafood is relatively low, which means that breastfeeding women are particularly susceptible to deficiencies in omega-3 fatty acids. If fish appears on the menu once or twice a week, DHA should be supplemented at a dose of 200 mg per day. In cases of lower fish consumption, the dose should be increased to 400-600 mg. Docosahexaenoic acid, which is consumed by the breastfeeding mother, passes into her milk. Interestingly, studies have shown that supplementing with DHA at a dose of 400 mg daily during pregnancy increases the DHA level in breast milk even up to a month after birth (B. Imhoff-Kunsch et al. 2011). This means that supplementing with omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy is not only important due to their positive impact on fetal development but also because they accumulate in breast milk.
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Folic acids, also known as Vitamin B9, are critical components responsible for the proper functioning of the body.
Folic acids are essential for the proper functioning of the body, as they are involved in the synthesis of nucleic acids, affect the normal function of the nervous system, and contribute to the formation and maturation of red blood cells. These substances are particularly important during pregnancy, but should not be neglected during lactation. Folic acids are transmitted to the baby's body through breast milk. Therefore, breastfeeding women should continue to take them in a dose of 0.6–0.8 mg/day. In addition, it is advisable to include foods rich in folic acid in the diet, such as green vegetables (e.g. lettuce, spinach, cabbage, broccoli), whole grains, eggs, cheese, and nuts.
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Iodine, also known as a chemical element symbolized by I
It is an indispensable component that plays a critical role in the synthesis of thyroid hormones, namely triiodothyronine and thyroxine, and in the proper functioning of this gland. The iodine concentration in human milk is dependent on the amount of the element stored in the individual's body and the intake with the predominant diet. Products containing iodine include, among others, dairy products, eggs, fish, and iodized salt. During lactation, iodine supplementation is recommended at a dosage of 150-200 mcg daily.
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Additional components that merit consideration
Due to the absence of menstruation (on average during the first 6 months of breastfeeding), the requirement for iron during this period decreases. However, a nursing mother may necessitate a larger quantity of this component if: – she recommences menstruation, – she was diagnosed with an iron deficiency during pregnancy, – blood loss during childbirth was significant. Supplementation should be prescribed by a physician based on blood test results. Nevertheless, it is recommended to ensure an adequate provision of iron in the diet and incorporate foods such as meat, eggs, pulses, seeds, nuts, whole grain products, and green vegetables into the diet.
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This is calcium carbonate
During the period of breastfeeding, the need for calcium carbonate also increases, which during this time amounts to 1000–1300 mg per day. However, a properly balanced and high in calcium carbonate-rich foods diet can meet this increased requirement, and there is no need for additional supplementation. In cases where a woman is on a dairy-free diet (e.g. due to an allergy to cow's milk proteins, lactose intolerance or vegan diet), supplementation should be considered. Apart from dairy products, other sources of calcium carbonate in the diet include beans, soy, sesame, almonds, green vegetables or oatmeal.
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Comprehensive Summary
The breastfeeding period is a critical juncture for both mother and child, yet it also presents a significant challenge for the woman's body. During lactation, it is recommended to maintain a healthy and varied diet and supplementation in the form of supplements. It is advisable to supplement nutrients such as vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids, folic acid, and iodine, and in certain circumstances also calcium and iron. An inadequate diet and a deficiency in certain nutrients have the greatest impact on the mother's body, not the breastfed child. When selecting supplementation, it is important to adhere to the recommended dosages, as both an excess and a deficiency of nutrients can have a detrimental effect on health.
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Scientifically reviewed by a clinical dietitian
• 18.03.2026
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