Nutrition for pregnant and breastfeeding women: exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding
Table of Contents
Nutrition for pregnant women
During pregnancy, high-quality nutrition supports fetal development, organ formation and brain growth. Energy, protein and micronutrient needs progressively increase across trimesters.
- During pregnancy, high-quality nutrition supports fetal development, organ formation and brain growth
- Energy, protein and micronutrient needs progressively increase across trimesters
Essential vitamins and minerals
Recommended intakes include: folic acid (400 µg/day min) to prevent neural tube defects, iron (30–60 mg/day) to prevent anemia, calcium (~1000 mg/day) for bone formation, vitamin D (15 µg/day or sunlight exposure) and DHA (200–300 mg/day) for neurological development.
- Recommended intakes include: folic acid (400 µg/day min) to prevent neural tube defects
- iron (30–60 mg/day) to prevent anemia
- calcium (~1000 mg/day) for bone formation
- vitamin D (15 µg/day or sunlight exposure) and DHA (200–300 mg/day) for neurological development.
Foods to limit or avoid
Avoid alcohol (strictly prohibited), raw products (meat, fish, eggs) due to infection risk, and limit caffeine to ~200 mg/day. Follow local recommendations and medical advice regarding supplements.
- Avoid alcohol (strictly prohibited), raw products (meat, fish, eggs) due to infection risk, and limit caffeine to ~200 mg/day
- Follow local recommendations and medical advice regarding supplements
Nutrition for breastfeeding women
During breastfeeding, energy needs increase by roughly 500 kcal/day to support milk production, depending on nursing frequency and duration. Adequate intakes of protein, calcium, iron, iodine and vitamins (D, B12) are important; hydration is essential.
- During breastfeeding, energy needs increase by roughly 500 kcal/day to support milk production, depending on nursing frequency and duration
- Adequate intakes of protein, calcium, iron, iodine and vitamins (D, B12) are important
- hydration is essential
Exclusive breastfeeding (0–6 months)
WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with no other liquids or foods. Breast milk covers the infant’s nutritional needs and provides protective antibodies.
- WHO recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months, with no other liquids or foods
- Breast milk covers the infant’s nutritional needs and provides protective antibodies
Complementary feeding after 6 months
Around 6 months, infants require energy and micronutrients (iron, zinc, essential fatty acids) that milk alone no longer provides. Foods should be introduced gradually, adapted to chewing ability, and rich in energy and protein.
- Around 6 months, infants require energy and micronutrients (iron, zinc, essential fatty acids) that milk alone no longer provides
- Foods should be introduced gradually, adapted to chewing ability, and rich in energy and protein
Conclusion
Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation, and appropriate complementary feeding, are pillars of pediatric health. Personalized nutritional follow-up by a professional is recommended to meet individual needs.
- Nutrition in pregnancy and lactation, and appropriate complementary feeding, are pillars of pediatric health
- Personalized nutritional follow-up by a professional is recommended to meet individual needs
Scientific references
World Health Organization – Recommendations for infant and young child feeding (WHO 2023); Ameli – Adapting nutrition during pregnancy (2025); Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030.
- World Health Organization – Recommendations for infant and young child feeding (WHO 2023)
- Ameli – Adapting nutrition during pregnancy (2025)
- Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025–2030