Nutrient Needs in the Postpartum Period

Recommendations for nutrient intake during the postpartum period are based on the following goals:

• Replenish nutrient stores, specifically, calcium, vitamin B6, and folate (IOM, 1992)
• Support requirements of lactation, when the woman is breastfeeding

Non-breastfeeding women

There are no nutrient intake guidelines for non-breastfeeding women that are specific to the postpartum period. In this case, it is reasonable to use the DRIs for nonpregnant women as the basis for nutrition therapy, with adjustments for situations that might affect needs.

Breastfeeding women

Recommendations for intake of selected nutrients during lactation are reviewed below. Higher intakes may be needed for women who are breastfeeding more than one infant. A summary table is available.

Requirements for some nutrients (e.g., fluoride and chromium) are thought to be unchanged by lactation. The increase in energy utilization increases needs for some nutrients (e.g., thiamin and niacin). Recommended intakes for other nutrients (e.g., copper, iodine, manganese, biotin, choline, riboflavin, and folate) are increased, based on the amount of the nutrient secreted in milk.

Recommendations for water intake (i.e., from food, beverages and drinking water) are increased during lactation from 3.0 liters (~100 ounces) per day during pregnancy to 3.8 liters (128 ounces) during lactation. (2.7 liters per day - 91 ounces - is the recommended amount for women who are not pregnant.)

Guidelines for intake, based on Institute of Medicine recommendations and the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) are reviewed below and summarized in a table at the end of this section.

Practical guidelines for overall intake (including recommended portion sizes and number of servings) are included later in this module.