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Intake Recommendations for Selected Nutrients in the Postpartum Period

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The Dietary Reference Intakes include recommendations for intake during lactation. Separate recommendations are not included for women who are not breastfeeding; the DRIs for healthy women are included in this table.

Nutrient Recommended intake for Lactating Women Recommended intake for non-lactating women Comments
Energy
  • 1st 6 months – additional 330 calories per day
  • 2nd 6 months – additional 400 calories per day
 EER, based on weight, height, physical activity level, and age Example
Water 3.8 liters per day • 14-18 years – 2.3 liters per day
• 19-30 years – 2.7 liters per day
• 31-50 years – 2.7 liters per day		  
Protein All age groups: 1.3 g protein per kilogram per day or + 25 grams protein per day 0.8 g protein per kilogram per day Example
Carbohydrate All age groups: 210 g per day

All age groups: 130 g per day

 (45-60% of total energy intake)
Calcium
  • 14-18 years – 1300 mg per day
  • 19-30 years – 1000 mg per day
  • 31-50 years – 1000 mg per day
 • 14-18 years – 1300 mg per day
• 19-30 years – 1000 mg per day
• 31-50 years – 1000 mg per day		 Food sources
Iron
  • 14-18 years – 10 mg per day
  • 19-30 years – 9 mg per day
  • 31-50 years – 9 mg per day
 • 14-18 years – 15 mg per day
• 19-30 years – 18 mg per day
• 31-50 years – 18 mg per day		 Food sources
Zinc
  • 14-18 years – 13 mg per day
  • 19-30 years – 12 mg per day
  • 31-50 years – 12 mg per day
  • 14-18 years – 8 mg per day
  • 19-30 years – 8 mg per day
  • 31-50 years – 8 mg per day
 Recommendations during lactation are increased above pregnancy and non-pregnancy levels
Vitamin D All age groups:5.0 µg (200 IU) per day All age groups: 14-18 years – 5.0 µg (200 IU) per day  
Vitamin A
  • 14-18 years – 1200 µg per day
  • 19-30 years – 1300 µg per day
  • 31-50 years – 1300 µg per day

All age groups: 700 µg per day

Food sources
Vitamin B6 All age groups: 2.0 mg per day
  • 14-18 years – 1.2 mg per day
  • 19-30 years – 1.3 mg per day
  • 31-50 years – 1.3 mg per day
 Food sources
Vitamin B12 All age groups: 2.8 mg per day All age groups: 2.4 µg per day  

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Last updated: 04/25/2007