During the first four to six months of life, the newborn is nourished exclusively by breast milk or formula. The breastfeeding period places a particularly heavy burden on the mother. The production of breast milk (lactation) deprives her of many valuable nutrients and vital substances (macro- and micronutrients). This task is performed by the mammary glands, which extract water, amino acids, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other important vital substances (micronutrients) from the blood and the mother’s depots. The nutrient and vital substance content (macro- and micronutrients) of breast milk corresponds to the needs of the newborn and also changes with the changing demands of the growing infant. To prevent a deficiency of vital substances (micronutrients), the breastfeeding mother must compensate for the losses with a balanced and varied diet. If, for example, there is a restriction of energy intake – below 1,800 kilocalories per day, rejection of dairy products – calcium deficiency (hypocalcemia), lack of UV daylight exposure – vitamin D deficiency, or if nursing mothers eat a predominantly vegetarian diet – deficiency of vitamin B12, iron and essential fatty acids, important vital substances (micronutrients) are inadequately absorbed. If insufficient amounts of certain vital substances are supplied over a longer period of time, the mother’s reserves have to compensate for this. By protecting the child from deficiencies in this way, however, the mother is at great risk of deficiency.
The nutritional status of the nursing mother has a major influence on the vital substance content (micronutrients) of breast milk. Consequently, an unbalanced diet with vital substance (micronutrient) deficiencies in the mother affects both the quantity and quality of breast milk, with an unbalanced diet leading to a decrease in the quantity of breast milk as well as a decrease in the nutrient and vital substance (macro- and micronutrient) content. If the infant cannot be optimally supplied due to vital substance deficiencies, its mental and physical development will be severely impaired.If women eat an extremely varied diet during their pregnancy and predominantly prefer foods with a high content of nutrients and vital substances (macro- and micronutrients), such women create the best conditions for optimal breast milk production. If mothers thus pay attention to their diet, the infant can also be provided with breast milk of good quality and quantity.