Maternal Nutrition Guidelines for Breastfeeding and Iodine Supplementation

To maintain optimal nutritional status during lactation, women should increase their intake of essential nutrients. While the macronutrient composition of breast milk remains relatively stable, its fat content can vary with the mother's diet. Deficiencies in water‑soluble vitamins, as well as vitamins A and D, result in lower concentrations of these nutrients in milk. Consequently, supplementation with iodine (targeting 290 µg per day), iron, zinc, vitamin B12 and vitamin D is recommended when dietary intake is insufficient.

Restrictive diets are discouraged because they may jeopardize the supply of necessary nutrients to both mother and infant. For mothers following a vegan diet, a varied and balanced intake, exposure to sunlight for vitamin D synthesis, and fortified foods or supplements may be needed to meet nutritional requirements.