Melba Sahaya Sweety.D Child Health Nursing

1. BALANCED DIET FOR A
LACTATING MOTHER

2. INTRODUCTION
• The lactating mother requires
adequate nutrition to enable
synthesis of breast milk.
• Any inadequacies in her diet
influence both the quantity
and the quality of milk
secreted.
• A well nourished mother on
an average secretes about
850 ml of milk per day
whereas in case of a severely
mal-nourished mother, the
level may go down to as low
as 400 ml/d .

3. RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCE FOR A LACTATING
MOTHER (0 – 6 MONTHS)
Nutrients
Sedentary
worker
Moderate
Worker
Heavy
Worker
Energy
(kcal)
1900+600 2230+600 2850+600
Protein (g) 75 75 75
Fat (g) 45 45 45
Calcium
(mg)
1000 1000 1000

4. RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE FOR A
LACTATING MOTHER (0 – 6 MONTHS)
Nutrients
Sedentary
worker
Moderate
Worker
Heavy
Worker
Iron (mg) 30 30 30
Vitamin – A
Retinol
(μg/d)
950 950 950
Vitamin – A
Carotene
(μg/d)
3800 3800 3800
Thiamine
(mg)
1.2 1.4 1.5

5. Nutrients
Sedentary
worker
Moderate
Worker
Heavy
Worker
Riboflavin (mg) 1.4 1.6 1.8
Niacin (mg) 16 18 20
Pyridoxin (mg) 2.5 2.5 2.5
Folic acid (μg/d) 150 150 150
Vitamin B – 12(μg) 1.5 1.5 1.5
Vitamin - C 80 80 80
RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE FOR A
LACTATING MOTHER (0 – 6 MONTHS)

6. RECOMMENDED DAILY
ALLOWANCE FOR A LACTATING
MOTHER (6 – 12 MONTHS)
Nutrients
Sedentary
worker
Moderate
Worker
Heavy
Worker
Energy
(kcal)
1900+520 2230+520 2850+520
Protein (g) 68 68 68
Fat (g) 45 45 45
Calcium
(mg)
1000 1000 1000

7. RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE FOR A
LACTATING MOTHER (6 – 12 MONTHS)
Nutrients
Sedentary
worker
Moderate
Worker
Heavy
Worker
Iron (mg) 30 30 30
Vitamin – A
Retinol
(μg/d)
950 950 950
Vitamin – A
Carotene
(μg/d)
3800 3800 3800
Thiamine
(mg)
1.1 1.3 1.4

8. Nutrients
Sedentary
worker
Moderate
Worker
Heavy
Worker
Riboflavin (mg) 1.3 1.5 1.7
Niacin (mg) 15 17 19
Pyridoxin (mg) 2.5 2.5 2.5
Folic acid (μg/d) 150 150 150
Vitamin B – 12(μg) 1.5 1.5 1.5
Vitamin - C 80 80 80
RECOMMENDED DAILY ALLOWANCE FOR A
LACTATING MOTHER (6 – 12 MONTHS)

9. FACTORS AFFECTING LACTATION
Endocrine Function Dietary factor

10. FACTORS AFFECTING LACTATION
Psychological
Factors
Social Factors

11. FOOD INCLUDED FOR LACTATING MOTHER
• Proteins-
The baby is in the growing stage and needs
lots of proteins. Mothers must eat lots of proteins
for 2 reasons . one to meet the growing baby’s
requirement and for self healing .
• Protein Foods to include in a lactating mothers
diet –
Soybean, chicken, Milk (2 times a day).
Soaked Almonds (15 pieces per day).
Vegetarian moms can include a lot of orange
masoor dal as it helps in increasing the milk supply.
you can also include Mung dal, Paneer and cheese
in your diet.

12. FOOD INCLUDED FOR LACTATING MOTHER
•Liquid
A lactating mother should drink ample liquids
since it helps in milk production. Less intake
can lead to dehydration and decreased supply
of milk
• Liquid foods to include in a Lactating
mothers diet : Water and coconut water.
Vegetable based soups made out of spinach ,
bottle gourd , beetroot and carrots are super
beneficial. Ragi kanji, buttermilk (after 1
month of delivery ) and milk etc are good
options. Drinking a liquid half an hour prior to
feeding is most beneficial.

13. FOOD INCLUDED FOR LACTATING MOTHER
Carbohydrate :-
Eat lots of whole grains and whole
grain foods since these are highly
nutritious and easily digestible.
•Whole grain foods to include in
lactating mothers diet : whole
wheat flour , Oats and broken wheat
daliya. Brown rice , quinoa, ragi ,
Museli etc.

14. FOOD INCLUDED FOR LACTATING MOTHER
• Vitamins and minerals :-
Consume Green leafy vegetables and fruits
periodically in order to get lots of vitamins and
minerals. They help in better milk production and a
good let down effect. Vitamins are essential for
proper growth of the baby and to get the systems to
function normally in a mother after delivery .
• Vegetables and Green leafy foods to include in
lactating mothers diet: Spinach, dill and fenugreek.
You can include Pumpkins , bottle gourds , ridge
gourds, Parval (pointed gourds ) and tinda . Carrots
and beetroots are specially very good for the
lactating mom and the growing baby. Beans can be
included in your diet in little quantity after 20 – 25
days of delivery Fruits like Apple , pomegranate ,
pear and papaya are good to have.

15. FOOD INCLUDED FOR LACTATING MOTHER
• Iron and Calcium :-
Eat foods that are rich in iron and calcium. The
mother loses lots of blood during delivery and needs to
renew her iron stores. Calcium is needed for the healthy
bones and teeth of the baby. It is also needed to
replenish the lost calcium from he mother body.
• Sources of Iron food in lactating Mothers diet –
Non vegetarian mom can include liver and organ
meat of chicken and duck. meats like pork , lamb and
beef. Sea foods like oysters, sardines, mussels and shell
fish .
Vegetarian moms can include dry beans , black eyed
peas , green peas, kale and turnip greens.Foods cooked
in iron vessels with tomatoes will also provide some iron .
Pressed rice (Poha ) and Puffed rice are good sources too.
Jaggery is a good source too.

16. •Sources of Calcium food in
lactating Mothers diet – Milk and
milk products like curd , cheese and
paneer . Fishes with soft bones like
salmon , anchovies and sardines.
Leafy vegetables like Spinach, kale,
mustard greens, and turnip tops.
FOOD INCLUDED FOR LACTATING MOTHER

17. • Galactogogues
They are an essential part of a lactating
mother’s meals. They help to increase the milk
supply and meet the growing needs of the
baby. These can be easily incorporated in our
day to recipes and given to the mother. We
have incorporated these Galactogogues in our
Indian diet plan for lactating mothers
• Galactogogues foods that can be included in
a lactating mother’s diet – Shatavari ,
fenugreek and fennel seeds. Foods like milk ,
Almonds, Orange Masoor dal , spinach, Garlic ,
sesame and poppy seeds and ragi kanji also
help in increasing milk secretions.
FOOD INCLUDED FOR LACTATING MOTHER

18. Foods to avoid in Indian diet plan for
lactating mothers
•A lactating mother needs to eat
carefully. She cannot eat certain type
of foods yet since some foods are
difficult to digest and some foods
are not good for the baby. Here are
some foods that are better
avoided Indian diet plan for lactating
mothers.

19. Foods to avoid in Indian diet plan for lactating
mothers
Spicy
Oily
Cruciferous
vegetables
Caffeinated
drinks
Non-aerated
drinks
Smoking
and alcohol

20. Foods to avoid in Indian diet
plan for lactating mothers
• Cruciferous vegetables –
Vegetables such as cauliflower,
broccoli, cabbage and asparagus are
cruciferous. Avoid them. These are
difficult to digest and can cause infant
colic and gas. Legumes like rajma, chana
and soya beans should also be avoided
for the first 2-3 months after.

21. NUTRITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
• Eat well balanced diet for your health
• Do not count calories
• Aim for slow and steady weight loss
• Include a variety of healthy foods
• Choose good fats
• Eat fish – but be picky
• Dink plenty of water and limit caffeine
• Consider the flavors of what you eat and drink
• Keep taking your vitamins
• Avoid smoking and alcoholism
• Daily plan your meal

23. Early morning

24. Break fast
OR OR
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25. Mid- Morning
OR+

26. Lunch
OR

27. Evening
OR+

28. Dinner
OR OR
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29. Bed time
OR

30. Thank you