Lifestages - Nutrition During Lactation

Question 1

Nutrition During Lactation

Answer 1

Energy requirements during lactation are high:
* Daily nutrient requirements during lactation are higher than during pregnancy.
* Breastfeeding benefits are dependent on mother’s nutritional status.
* Inadequate maternal nutrition may leave the mother depleted.
* Severe energy restriction may hinder milk production.
* The postpartum period is not the time to go on a weight loss diet to lose the baby weight!
* Do not skip meals, especially breakfast. Erratic eating triggers the body’s stress response which can affect milk production.
* Eat to satisfaction: oxytocin triggers the milk ejection reflex and also more enzymatic activity in the intestines ( better digestion). Chew food well.
* Drink to thirst - no over/under drinking. Filtered water is best. Constant thirst can be a symptom of EFA deficiency. Over-drinking may affect milk supply.
* Avoid cold foods and drinks, especially if experiencing low milk supply or if prone to mastitis
* Focus on whole, fresh, organic produce.
* Well-cooked and energetically neutral foods (e.g. round grain rice, potato, sweet potato) are easily digested by both mother and child.
* Every woman is different and will require different nutrition according to her constitution  refer back to Energetics lecture.
* Include probiotic foods (e.g. sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir) and prebiotic foods (e.g. asparagus, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion greens, onions, garlic (may cause gas in baby) to support microflora.
* Include sources of EPA/ DHA: flaxseeds, hemp, oily fish, algae.
* Avoid salted, sweetened foods, sugary drinks, cow’s dairy products and microwaved foods.

Question 2

Caffeine

Answer 2

Avoid caffeine and other stimulants: Caffeine enters breast milk to make the infant irritable and wakeful.
* Large doses of caffeine interfere with the bioavailability of iron from breast milk and impair the infant’s iron status.
* Coffee consumption should be eliminated.
* Chocolate, soft drinks & tea contain caffeine, so it’s recommended to avoid.

Question 3

Alcohol

Answer 3

Avoid alcohol as it easily enters breast milk and significantly diminishes the amount of breast milk consumed by the infant.
* It changes the taste of the breast milk.
* Even low doses of alcohol are not metabolised efficiently by the infant which suppresses feeding and causes sleepiness.
* Alcohol interferes with lactation by inhibiting the hormone oxytocin.
* Alcohol consumption also interferes with the ability to look after your baby.

Question 4

Smoking

Answer 4

Eliminate smoking —it reduces milk volume, so smokers may produce too little milk to meet their infant’s energy needs.
* The milk contains nicotine which alters its smell and flavour.
* Infants of breastfeeding mothers who smoke gain less weight.
* They are also at higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

Question 5

Drugs

Answer 5

• Medicinal drugs: Some medicines are contraindicated with breastfeeding —always check with your GP.
  o Contraindicated: anti-cancer drugs, lithium, oral retinoids, amiodarone, codeine, decongestants, aspirin.
• Illicit drugs: Are always harmful and can cause irritability, tremors, hallucinations and even death in infants. It can also impact the mother’s ability to care for her baby.

Question 6

Milk supply / Fluid intake

Answer 6

• Feed on demand. Your baby tells you when it is hungry —follow baby’s needs. Each baby is different.
• If milk supply is low, try galactagogues fenugreek or fennel seed tea; 2–3 cups/day, and stay hydrated.
• Milk supply increases with the demands of the baby. The best way to increase milk supply is to feed more.
• Stress can lower breast milk production. If stressed, drink chamomile or lemon balm tea.
• Additional fluid is usually not needed for breast-fed babies.
• In hot weather, or when the baby has a temperature or diarrhoea, filtered water can be added. Never give juice or sugary drinks.

Question 7

Allergies via milk

Answer 7

When breast milk does not agree with the baby:
* Babies can develop GI symptoms towards any foods in mother’s diet. Investigate and eliminate!
* Infants who develop food allergy symptoms may be more comfortable if the mother’s diet excludes the most common offenders: cow’s milk, eggs, fish, peanuts, tree nuts.
* Go for a leisurely walk in natural surroundings; this will also help your baby.
* Include a daily relaxation practice (e.g. mother and baby yoga or baby massage with sesame / almond oil, according to constitution).