17.4: The Mother’s Diet

A mother’s diet can significantly impact milk production and quality. New mothers need to adjust their caloric and fluid intake to make breastfeeding possible. As is the case during pregnancy, the RDA of nearly all vitamins and minerals increases breastfeeding their babies. The RDA is 330 additional calories during the first six months of lactation and 400 extra calories during the second six months. The energy needed to support breastfeeding came from increased intake and stored fat. For example, during the first six months after her baby is born, the daily caloric cost for a lactating mother is 500 calories, with 330 calories derived from increased intake and 170 calories derived from maternal fat stores. This helps explain why breastfeeding may promote weight loss in new mothers. According to the IOM, lactating women should also drink 3.1 liters of liquids per day (about 13 cups) to maintain milk production.

During pregnancy, lactating mothers should avoid illegal substances and cigarettes. Some legal drugs and herbal products can be harmful, helping to discuss them with a healthcare provider. Some mothers may need to avoid certain things, such as spicy foods, that can produce gas in sensitive infants. Lactating women can drink alcohol, though they must avoid breastfeeding until the alcohol has completely cleared from their milk. Typically, this takes two to three hours for 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor, depending on a woman’s body weight. Precautions are necessary because alcohol exposure can disrupt an infant’s sleep schedule.

---