The nutritional and energy needs of breastfeeding mothers are higher than those of non-

breastfeeding mothers. In order to maintain their weight, women who exclusively

breastfeed typically need an extra 500–550 calories per day. Despite the fact that diet has
little effect on a woman's ability to produce milk, a breastfeeding woman should
consume at least 1500 calories daily to prevent excessive weight loss that might have an
impact on milk production. The quantity of milk is decreased rather than the quality when
there is a very low protein intake. It is advised to consume 15 grams per day for the first
six months and then 12 grams per day after that.

The temporary loss of bone mass brought on by pregnancy and breastfeeding is

typically reversed once a woman stops breastfeeding. Teenagers should consume 1300
mg of calcium daily, while all adult women should get at least 1000 mg. It is reasonable to
take a calcium supplement if it is impossible to consume enough milk or other calcium-
rich foods. Vitamin D levels must be adequate for calcium absorption. When sunlight is
insufficient, both breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women need at least 5
micrograms of vitamin D per day; this requirement varies by season and geographic
location. With about 2.5 micrograms of vitamin D per cup, milk is the best food source.

For the first four to six months after giving birth, women who are not anemic and
exclusively breastfeed typically do not experience menstruation. As a result, menstrual
blood loses little iron. Normally, this time does not necessitate taking an iron
supplement. However, women who are anemic or who experienced significant blood loss
during pregnancy typically need an iron supplement. The recommended daily intake for
the typical lactating woman is 6000 IU. To protect lactating women in areas where vitamin
A deficiency is common, a high-dosage vitamin A supplementation (200,000IU) should be
given as soon as possible after delivery but no later than 8 weeks post-partum.

Methyl mercury, a type of mercury, is present in high concentrations in some fish. The
developing nervous system of a child or infant can be harmed by high blood mercury
levels. All shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish should be avoided because they
contain high levels of mercury. Eat no more than two servings per week of mercury-free
fish and shellfish, such as shrimp, salmon, catfish, and light tuna in cans. Eat no more
than one serving of cooked fish per week that was procured from a nearby pond, river,
lake, or ocean.

A number of illnesses, including pneumonia, asthma, ear infections, bronchitis, and

sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), are more common in children whose parents
smoke. Smoking cessation or reduction can lower these risks. Smoking women are still
urged to breastfeed their kids, though. It is unsafe for both mother and child to use
substances like marijuana, amphetamines, phencyclidine (PCP), cocaine, and heroin.
Nursing should not be done by women who use these drugs. A small amount of alcohol
consumed by a breastfeeding woman is excreted in her breast milk. One serving of
alcohol takes a woman of average weight about two hours to completely leave her
system.