Nutrition and Care for Breastfeeding Families

It is officially National Breastfeeding Month, hosted by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee (USBC). Now in its 15th year, the USBC’s Forward Together campaign calls for united efforts to improve breastfeeding rates across the U.S.^1,2

Human milk is uniquely suited to support growing infants, offering a gentle, easily digestible food that protects the kidneys, is rich in highly absorbable nutrients, and is naturally balanced so that infants do not require additional food or water.^3,4,5 In addition to essential calories, protein, vitamins, and minerals, human milk also provides immune system-supporting antibodies, appetite-regulating hormones, and gut microbiome-supporting prebiotics (non-digestible fibers that promote gut microbiota).³

Nutrition Needs for Lactating Individuals

The dietary and fluid intake, as well as the overall nutritional status, of lactating individuals play a crucial role in the production, composition, and secretion of human milk.^4,6,7 The United States Department of Agriculture’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend an increase of 330 calories per day during the first six months, followed by an increase to 400 calories per day thereafter.^5,8 The adequate intake of fluid also increases to 3.8 liters a day, alongside increased recommendations for key macronutrients, such as protein and fiber.^5,8

Additional nutrients of concern, and their recommended daily intakes⁸:

Water-soluble vitamins

B12 120 mg

B6 2.0 mg

Biotin 35 mcg

Vitamin C 120 mg

Choline 550 mg

Folate 500 mcg

Riboflavin 1.6 mg

Thiamin 1.4 mg

Niacin 17 mg

Fat-soluble vitamins

Vitamin A 1300 mcg

Vitamin E 19 mg

Minerals

Calcium 1300 mcg

Copper 1300 mcg

Iodine 290 mcg

Magnesium 310-320 mg

Selenium 70 mcg

Zinc 12 mcg/

Supporting Nutrition Tips for Lactating Individuals^5,8,9,10

• Eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables daily.
• Include iron, choline, and iodine-rich foods like legumes, leafy greens, eggs, dairy, meat, seafood, and iodized salt.
• Choose whole grains.
• Consume healthy fats (e.g., nuts, seeds, avocado, olive oil).
• Choose low-mercury seafood options such as salmon, cod, or tilapia, and avoid shark, swordfish, and king mackerel.
• Supplement iron and B12 when following a plant-based diet.
• Discuss vitamin D, iodine, zinc, choline, and Omega-3 supplementation with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN).

Breastfeeding Rates in the U.S. remain a public health concern¹¹ According to the CDC’s most recent Breastfeeding Report Card, 63% of U.S. infants are exclusively breastfed at birth, and 83% receive some breast milk. By 6 months, only 25% remain exclusively breastfed, and 56% receive any breast milk.^6,7 This is not a failure of parents.⁴ Rather, this decline reflects the systemic barriers that make sustained breastfeeding difficult and underscores the need for more substantial, ongoing postpartum support.⁷

Some families may need to provide formula or donor milk in addition to breastfeeding, highlighting the importance of individualized postpartum nutrition care from an RDN.⁸ In such cases, iron-fortified formula and pasteurized donor milk from accredited banks offer safe alternatives. What matters most is that feeding is safe, supported, and stigma-free.⁸

Forward Together is centered on unity, solidarity, and hope that is takes to address the systemic barriers that often prevent birthing parents from getting the care, nourishment, and guidance they need remains at the heart of USBC’s initiatives.¹

At Bastyr Center for Natural Health, we strive to address these barriers by offering low-cost, evidence-based, and culturally responsive care that respects the unique needs of our clients. Our masters-level student nutrition clinicians offer support for lactating individuals and families navigating infant feeding, including:

• Understanding how dietary intake supports milk production and lactation
• Determining personalized calorie, protein, and fluid needs to support lactation
• Maintaining optimal intake while following plant-based or restricted diets
• Exploring realistic and accessible snack and meal options
• Creating snack and meal plans that fit the daily lives of new parents
• Exploring combined formula use and supplementation without stigma, including when formula may be needed to support infant nutrition
• Tracking eating patterns alongside daily routines to individualized nutrition goals
• Offering referrals for nutrition-related lab testing through naturopathic providers to assess parental nutrient status and support informed feeding choices.

Bastyr University Clinics is here to support you with personalized, non judgmental care. Schedule an appointment and get guidance tailored to your unique needs.

Author Information: Katryna Bell is a master’s student at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. She will receive her MS in Nutrition and Didactic Program in Dietetics from Bastyr University in 2026. Before pursuing her path as an integrative nutrition counselor, Katryna was a chocolate maker by trade and an herbalist. She is passionate about helping people feel at home in their bodies by aligning daily choices with their values, strengths, and goals.

References

1. United States Breastfeeding Committee. National breastfeeding awareness month. USBC. Accessed July 22, 2025. https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html

2. United States Breastfeeding Committee. National breastfeeding month proclamation. USBC. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/nbm-proclamation.html

3. Lessen R, Kavanagh K. Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: promoting and supporting breastfeeding. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015;115(3):444-449. doi:10.1016/j.jand.2014.12.014

4. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee on Nutrition Status During Pregnancy and Lactation. Nutrition during lactation. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 1991. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235581/

5. Brown, J. Nutrition through the life cycle. 7th ed. Cengage Learning; 2023

6. The Centers for Disease Control. Breastfeeding report card. Updated February 24, 2025. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-data/breastfeeding-report-card/index.html

7. United States Breastfeeding Committee. A closer look at the 2022 CDC Breastfeeding Report Card. USBC. Published October 24, 2022. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/usbc-news--blogs/a-closer-look-at-the-2022-cdc-breastfeeding-report-card

8. US Department of Agriculture. Nutrition guide for breastfeeding mothers. Updated May 2021. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://medicine.uams.edu/familymedicine/wpcontent/uploads/sites/7/2021/05/USDA-Nutrition-Guide-for-Breastfeeding.pdf

9. Minnesota Department of Health. Nutrition during lactation: a resource guide for WIC staff. Updated March 5, 2025. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.health.state.mn.us/docs/people/wic/localagency/topicmonth/lactation.pdf

10. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Maternal diet. Updated February 9, 2024. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html

11. Cullinan, K. North America has the world’s lowest exclusive breastfeeding rate. Health Policy Watch. Published March 8, 2023. Accessed July 25, 2025. https://healthpolicy-watch.news/north-america-has-worlds-lowest-exclusive-breastfeeding-rate/