The Impact of Maternal Nutrition during Pregnancy on Subsequent Lactational Outcomes: A Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Breastfeeding and breast milk stand as the worldwide norm for nourishing infants. Numerous authoritative organizations, including the World Health Organization, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, universally endorse this assertion. Additionally, they advocate for exclusive breastfeeding encouraged for at least the first year of a child’s life. Despite the importance of breastfeeding, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 20 women have difficulties or are unable to breastfeed their infants as long or as effectively as wanted or as recommended. Aim: To investigate the impact of maternal nutrition during pregnancy on subsequent lactational performance. Objectives: To investigate how nutritional factors and exposure to specific chemicals and pollutants during pregnancy can affect the vital hormones and organs crucial for the lactational process. Conclusions: Pregnancy increases maternal nutritional needs, but controlled food consumption is necessary to achieve and keep a healthy body mass index. Obesity before and/or during pregnancy hinders successful breastfeeding. Inadequate nutrition during pregnancy also affects lactational performance negatively. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in many foods and goods reduce milk quantity, decrease the odds of breastfeeding up to six months postpartum, and elevate the risk of involuntary discontinuation of breastfeeding at any point after childbirth. Methods: This paper has collected information from electronic sources with access provided by Riga Stradins University and Karolinska Institutet, including, but not limited to Google Scholar, PubMed, National Library of Medicine, and more.