The Nutritional Needs of Lactation

Before the birth of the infant, mothers should be advised to increase the intake of nutrients, more than ever. Its important to prepare for lactation or breastfeeding and to maintain strength during childbirth. According to nutrition experts, the amount of energy needed by a mother to breastfeed their babies within the first 6 months, requires the addition of approximately 700 kcal.

After birth, food intake is important to produce milk for quality and in sufficient quantity. Therefore nutrition during lactation vital nutrient intakes for infants and children. Lack of food intake, both in terms of quantity and nutritional content will also determine and influence the development of her baby.

Nutritionists divide the food needs of breastfeeding in the three periods. The first critical period after birth until the age of 6 months, the second period when infants aged 6 to 12 months. And the third period when the child is 12 to 24 months. These times are great times of growth and development of children.

But the amount of the energy needs of breastfeeding do not have to meet the food consumption, multiply the number as a whole. Several studies have shown that naturally during pregnancy, the goverment has made significant energy reserves, which reached 200-300 kcal. So that the energy shortage of 300-500 kcal other is to satisfy the mother’s diet.

Similarly for other nutritional requirements are actually more in the first period of 6 months. Since the protein requirements for the first six months of no less than 16 grams per day. Although the need for iron at 5 mg / day of calcium and needs as much as 400 grams. When the child is 6 months, maternal consumption of food menu is a little less.

In addition, meet their nutritional needs through breastfeeding can be overcome with a balanced diet of nutrition. Consumption patterns, even with a balanced diet can solve a number of problems in infants, nutritional anemia (iron deficiency), severe iodine deficiency, vitamin A deficiency and protein-calorie deficiency.

Menu needs balanced nutrition for nursing mothers is actually quite easy to do. Green vegetables such as spinach, kale, broccoli, Katuk leaves, papaya leaves contain many nutrients needed by children. Similarly for colorful fruits such as carrots, tomatoes, oranges, bananas and papayas are also very good for nursing mothers.

At the same time, to meet the energy consumption is quite good and cheap are part of the animal and vegetable origin, such as eggs, tofu and tempeh, beans, chicken and milk. The consumption of pure cow’s milk is recommended for nursing mothers to avoid milk formulas, which are less good, because many contain chemicals, preservatives and additives.

In addition to a varied menu of food consumption, in turn, balanced to meet nutritional needs during lactation, which is no less important is the psychological state and the sincerity of the mother during breastfeeding. Many studies have also found a significant association between the tranquility of the mother to influence the quality of production and milk. Also be taken to ensure that the intake of nutrients for the baby that can optimally. (*)