A healthy infant doubles its weight in the first four to six months after birth. An adequate supply of essential nutrients and vital substances is therefore (macro- and micronutrients) of considerable importance for the growth and health of the newborn and also for the maintenance of the mother’s health. Due to the stress of pregnancy, the mother’s vital substance reserves are depleted, especially of calcium, magnesium, iron, vitamins A, D, E, K, C and vitamins of the B group, such as folic acid. In particular, for milk production, the reserves must be replenished quickly, which can be realized in the form of a balanced diet and careful food selection. If it is not possible to cover the high requirements of all vital substances (micronutrients) during the breastfeeding period due to vegetarian or macrobiotic diets, among other things, supplementation of vital substances (micronutrients) must be carried out in conjunction with a balanced and substantial diet. This applies in particular to the B vitamins, vitamins D, K and E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc, as these vital substances (micronutrients) are usually absorbed by the mother in insufficient quantities and their concentrations in breast milk can fluctuate greatly. A vital substance preparation with a balanced ratio of vitamins, minerals and trace elements ensures the body’s own reserves, a sufficient content in the mother’s milk and thus an optimal supply for the infant. Notice. Vital substance deficiencies often occur as a result of unbalanced and one-sided diets – high consumption of refined grain products – as well as undercaloric food intake. Premature infants have a higher requirement than mature infants. The reason for this is their increased growth, development, low storage capacity and limited absorption capacity. In addition, the transformation pathway and the absorption of lipophilic substances such as fats and oils are still immature. The concentrations of most vital substances (micronutrients) of premature infants are significantly lower than those of the mother… Nevertheless, breast milk is the best food even for premature infants, which in the case of premature birth has a different composition than the breast milk of mature infants. The specially formulated milk contains all the necessary nutrients and vital substances (macro- and micronutrients) that premature infants need for their development. If premature or even mature babies cannot be breastfed, a ready-made milk formula specially enriched with vital substances (micronutrients) is available for them. However, it should be emphasized that the bioavailability of most vital substances (micronutrients) from industrially produced milk formula is poorer than that from breast milk. For this reason, infant formula has higher concentrations of vital nutrients than breast milk to meet the higher needs of non-breastfed infants. Furthermore, formula milk does not provide the mother’s antibodies, which are important for the infant and are found exclusively in breast milk. They are especially needed to support the child’s immune system. As a result, non-breastfed newborns are more susceptible to infections and respiratory diseases because of the mother’s lack of antibodies. In addition, premature and mature babies who cannot be fed with breast milk are supplemented in many cases. Vitamins D, K and calcium are particularly suitable for substitution, as their concentration in the child’s organism is very low. In addition, these vital substances (micronutrients) have an important function in the bone system and are therefore essential for bone health.Daily requirement of newborns for vitamins, minerals and trace elements (micronutrients) in the first weeks of life with oral intake and content in breast milk in Europe
| Vital nutrients | Requirements of mature infants per kilogram of body weight | Requirement of premature infants per kilogram of body weight | Content in breast milk per 100 milliliters |
| Vitamin A µg | 68 – 270 | 120 – 200 | 100 – 175 |
| Vitamin D IU, weight-dependent | 400 – 500 | 800 – 1.000 | 0,5 – 2 |
| Vitamin E mg | 0,5 – 0,8 | 0,8 | 0,2 – 0,4 |
| Vitamin K µg | 2,6 – 4,8 | 2,8 – 4,2 | 1 – 1,4 |
| Vitamin B1 µg | 22 – 100 | 25 – 200 | 8 – 25 |
| Vitamin B2 µg | 8 – 40 | 80 | 42 |
| Vitamin B6 µg | 0,02 – 0,18 | 50 – 100 | 10 – 25 |
| Vitamin B12 µg | 0,8 – 2 | 0,2 | 0,01 – 0,7 |
| Folic acid µg | 280 – 300 | 15 – 60 | 2,8 – 5,2 |
| Biotin µg | 0,3 – 0,4 | 2 | 0,76 |
| Niacin mg | 4,8 – 5 | 0,4 | 0,6 – 6 |
| Pantothenic acid µg | 2 | 400 | 200 – 250 |
| Vitamin C mg | 5 – 10 | 30 – 40 | 5 – 10 |
| Sodium mmol | 1 – 2 | 2,4 | 0,65 – 1,5 |
| Calcium mg | 0,4 – 0,8 | 120 – 450 | 35 |
| Magnesium mmol | 5,8 – 10,5 | 0,3 – 0,6 | 0,12 – 0,15 |
| Phosphorus mg | 0,25 – 0,45 | 60 – 90 | 15 |
| Potassium mmol | 0,5 | 2 | 1 – 1,8 |
| Iron mg | 2,0 – 2,5 | 0,08 – 0,15 |
Nutrition during breastfeeding – the most important vitamins, minerals and trace elements
The need for the B vitamins as well as vitamins A, D, E, K, C, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and iodine required during breastfeeding exceeds that during pregnancy. The breastfeeding mother needs a particularly high supply of vital substances due to the increased milk production and to safeguard her body’s reserves. In the infant, rapid tissue proliferation and an increase in blood formation occur in the course of its growth. Only with a sufficient supply of vital substances can a healthy development as well as undisturbed growth of the newborn be ensured.