2. INTRODUCTION
Lactation describes the secretion of milk from the mammary glands and
the period that a mother lactates to feed her young one. In humans, the process of
feeding milk is called breastfeeding or nursing.
Breastfeeding has several advantages for baby. But for mother is two main
advantages physiological and emotional.
Lactation is a normal physiological process that begins soon after parturition
during which the mother starts nourishing her baby.
3. COMPOSITION OF MOTHERS MILK
The first milk (colostrum) is the most suitable food for baby as it is rich in
protein and other nutrients. rich in antibodies and Vitamin A.
It is called the first immunisation of baby.
After a few days of lactation the mother secretes larger amounts of less
viscous and whitish milk known as “mature milk” which is more or less a
complete food nutritionally.
4. Nutrient Quantity / 100 ml
Nutrient Quantity / 100 ml
Energy 65kcal
Protein 1.1g
Carbohydrate 7.4g
Fat 3.4g
Calcium 28mg
Vit A (retinol) 137 I.U
Thiamine 0.02mg
Riboflavin 0.02mg
Vitamin c 3mg
Iron Negligible
6. Calories : Additional 600 kcal / day are recommended during first 6 months of lactation. Most Indian
mothers continue to lactate even after 6 months. But milk production is reduced. So, additional 520 kcal /
day are recommended from 6–12 months of lactation.
Protein: Protein requirement also increases for production of milk. The recommended additional
protein intake during lactation is 19 g per day for 0–6 months and 13 g per day for 6–12 months.
Fats: ICMR has suggested an intake of 30 gm of visible fat per day, which is 10 gm more than
the non-pregnant non-lactating status.
Minerals:
Calcium: Mother’s milk contains about 30 mg of calcium per 100 ml. ICMR has recommend
1200 mg of calcium per day for a lactating mother.
Iron: Most mothers have lactational amenorrhoea. It results in saving of nearly 1 mg of iron
per day which otherwise would have been lost due to menstruation. This is sufficient. Hence
iron requirement during lactation is same as that of a normal adult woman i.e., 21 mg/day.
7. Vitamins
Vitamin B Complex: As the calorie and protein requirements increase during lactation, the
requirements of Thiamine, Riboflavin and Niacin vitamins also increase correspondingly.
Folic acid: The recommendation for folic acid during lactation is 300 µg/ day i.e. an additional
allowance of 100 µg /day
Vitamin C: An additional intake of 40 mg/day is recommended (80 mg per day)
Editor's Notes
Requirement for lactating mother is pretty high bcoz her bmr is higher . That is why requirement of calorie is very high.
Chart shows the RDA of Lactating womens.
