During breastfeeding your little one, a mother body needs more energy and nutrition. Consuming vitamins for nursing mothers is one way to help meet a mother nutritional needs so that the milk produced is higher quality.
Daily nutritional needs can be met by eating balanced nutritious food . Healthy foods that are nutritious generally contain a variety of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals, needed by nursing mothers.
Even though a mother feels that he has consumed balanced nutritious food, it may be that the food consumed is not enough to meet the required nutrients. Therefore, your doctor may recommend a mother to consume vitamins for nursing mothers.
Variety of Vitamins for Breastfeeding Mothers
The amount and content of breast milk that is given to the baby will determine the amount of nutritional intake obtained by the baby. This makes a mother nutritional needs during exclusive breastfeeding higher.
The following are some types of vitamins needed for nursing mothers:
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is not only good for mother body, but also for Little One. One of the benefits of vitamin A for babies is to strengthen the body's immune system to be stronger against infection and maintain baby's eye health.
mother is recommended to meet the needs of vitamin A as much as 1000 - 1200 micrograms (mcg) per day. This amount is more than the need for vitamin A during pregnancy which is only around 700-800 mcg per day.
Vitamin B kompleks
Vitamin B consists of various types and has different functions, namely:
Vitamins B1 and B2
Both of these vitamins function to help mother obtain energy, and support growth and development of the baby's nerves and brain. The amount of vitamin B1 and B2 that need to be fulfilled by mother is 1 - 1.5 mg per day.
Vitamins B3 and B6
Vitamin B3 functions to maintain healthy eyes and skin, while vitamin B6 plays an important role in maintaining healthy brain and immune system. mother need to meet the intake of vitamin B3 as much as 10-15 mg, while as much as 1.8-2 mg of vitamin B6 per day.
Vitamins B9 and B12
Vitamin B9 or folate and vitamin B12 are also important vitamins for the health of nursing mothers and their babies. For nursing mothers, this vitamin can increase the number and quality of breast milk and red blood cell production.
As for babies, both types of B vitamins are beneficial in the formation of red blood cells and the development of brain nerves, enhance immunity, and prevent anemia. mother is advised to meet the intake of folate or folic acid as much as 400-500 mcg per day and vitamin B12 as much as about 3 mcg per day.
Vitamin C
Consumption of vitamin C up to 1000 mg is believed to increase levels of vitamin C in breast milk and increase endurance of breastfeeding mothers and infants. The need for vitamin C to be fulfilled by nursing mothers is around 100-120 mg per day.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D works to increase the absorption of calcium needed by nursing mothers. And support the growth and increase strength of baby's bones and teeth. The recommended intake of vitamin D for nursing mothers is 600 IU or equivalent to 15 mcg IU per day.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E plays a role in protecting cells and tissues from damage, strengthening the immune system, and maintaining healthy skin and eyes, both in infants and nursing mothers. During breastfeeding, mother is advised to meet the needs of vitamin E as much as 15-20 mg per day.
Various other important nutrients for pregnant women
In addition to the various vitamins above, nursing mothers also need various types of minerals and other nutrients to support the breastfeeding process, among them:
Calcium
Calcium needs of nursing mothers reach 1200 mg per day. Low calcium intake does not actually affect calcium levels in breast milk, but can affect the density of the mother's bones.
Calcium can be obtained by consuming foods that contain lots of calcium such as milk, cheese, yogurt, anchovies, soybeans, broccoli, and tofu.
Iron
Iron is the main ingredient in the formation of red blood cells. With an adequate intake of iron, mother can be prevented from anemia. Iron intake is recommended for nursing mothers is 30-35 mg per day.
Iodine
Nursing mothers need 200-250 mcg of iodine per day. This need must be met to reduce the risk of iodine deficiency in mothers and infants. Iodine is naturally found in seaweed, shrimp, eggs, tuna, dairy products and their derivatives, and iodized salt.
Omega-3
Omega-3 fatty acids, including DHA and EPA, are important nutrients for the growth and development of the baby's brain. The omega-3 content in breast milk can be reduced if the mother lacks this nutritional intake.
Therefore, pregnant and lactating women are advised to meet omega 3 intake of 1.5 - 2.5 grams and DHA as much as 300 - 600 mg.
Nutrient intake above can be obtained by consuming a variety of foods consisting of rice, meat, eggs, fish, fruits and vegetables, beans, wheat, and milk.
To increase milk production, mother can also try taking certain herbal supplements, such as kelabat or fenugreek. However, the effectiveness of this herbal plant as a stimulant for breast milk still needs to be further investigated.
Eating vitamins for breastfeeding mothers can indeed help complete the nutritional needs during lactation. Therefore, do not forget to eat balanced nutritious food and drink enough water every day.
If mother feels that the intake of nutrients consumed is insufficient from food or is having problems around breastfeeding, do not hesitate to consult a doctor . Your doctor can recommend a healthy diet and prescribe additional supplements if needed.
