Breastfeeding

Hello, I am curious whether breastfeeding also reflects the level of physical activity. Thank you for your response.

The process of breastfeeding increases energy expenditure, similar to the course of pregnancy. It is typically stated that 1 ml of breast milk represents approximately 3 kJ, meaning that in a full breastfeeding regimen, you can expect an expenditure of about 2,500 kJ. This is a relatively higher value, so in practice, it is advisable to consider it when setting the energy balance. On the one hand, it is a natural process of weight reduction after childbirth; on the other hand, in situations where the mother has no extra weight, is of a very slender build, and it is not desirable for her to lose weight, it is beneficial to add this amount to her energy intake.

Hello,
from the perspective of this course, what is the optimal duration for breastfeeding a child? Opinions vary from 1 year up to approximately 4 years. I am interested in the minimum recommended duration for which it is desirable.

In this case, it is not an opinion from this course, but facts that need to be worked with. Essentially, you are presenting a range that is also discussed on professional platforms. The duration of one year seems to be the minimum, because breast milk contains a spectrum of substances that cannot be obtained from other sources and which are of absolutely fundamental importance for the psychomotor development of the child. From the perspective of these considerations, it is therefore a question of how far to extend the time recommendations for breastfeeding beyond one year. If you do not adhere to contemporary social conventions, which largely stem from decades-old models and adhere to the outdated standard of 6-12 months of breastfeeding, it makes sense to strengthen the nutritional and emotional relationship with the child for as long as possible.

Hello,
what is the protein intake like for breastfeeding women? Since breastfeeding is quite energy-demanding, is a higher intake necessary?

Breastfeeding is an energy-intensive process, and a higher energy intake during this period is therefore appropriate. Weight gain during pregnancy is nature's way of creating an energy reserve for the mother, which is gradually consumed during breastfeeding. In relation to modern nutrition concepts, it is therefore possible to claim that breastfeeding is a natural weight reduction process for the mother. This is of course true in situations where the breastfeeding woman does not dramatically increase her energy intake.

From a nutritional perspective, it is advisable to slightly increase the proportion of proteins in the diet during breastfeeding, with a standard recommendation of 20-30% more than before pregnancy (the average is around 80 grams per day, but this value should be taken with caution as it does not reflect individual needs).

BEGINNING OF TEXT:

Hello,
I would like to inquire about the period of introducing the first solid foods (considering the 5th-6th month) and the associated reduction in breastfeeding. The first solid foods (typically various vegetables) are not yet complete meals in terms of macronutrient and mineral intake. How much breast milk (or formula) should remain in a child's daily diet to ensure they get enough nutrients and minerals? What should the ratio of solid food intake to breast milk be from around 6 months to 1 year?
Thank you

Modern nutrition naturally tends to approach eating systematically and typically presents the following procedure divided into several phases:

In the first phase, single-ingredient fruit or vegetable purees (preferably apples, bananas, pears, squash, carrots, peas) are introduced, with each new type being added at intervals of 3 to 4 days. These dishes should not be sweetened.

In the second phase, multi-ingredient fruit, vegetable, and meat-vegetable meals are gradually introduced until the point where the child has a meal with meat 6 times a week (once a week, meat can be replaced with a boiled chicken egg yolk). Over the course of 2 to 3 weeks, one milk portion is thus replaced with a meal portion of 50 to 200 grams.

In the third phase (typically during the 7th month), the second milk portion is replaced with a fruit-milk meal (unsweetened yogurt is used, and curd should be avoided until the end of the 12th month).

In the fourth phase (8th month), the third milk portion is replaced with milk porridge. It is commonly recommended to use a gluten-free source, although there is ongoing discussion about the benefits of handling gluten sources during the so-called immunological window.

The final phase includes the introduction of meals containing pasta.

However, this procedure is just a framework, and it is important to reflect on the needs of the child, which are highly individual.

Hello,
is it safe to consume turmeric while breastfeeding?

Turmeric is not recommended during pregnancy, but it is not directly prohibited during breastfeeding (the exception being turmeric in dietary supplements, where it is found in more concentrated and biologically available forms). There may be situations where an infant will react more sensitively to the presence of turmeric in the mother's diet, which unfortunately cannot be predicted. It is therefore up to each breastfeeding mother to consider whether or not to use a small amount of turmeric in recipe preparation.

Hello Mr. Jelínek,

I have a question regarding the nutrition of a 12-month-old girl who is not gaining much weight. According to growth charts for breastfed children, she is between the 6th and 10th percentiles (weight to height). Otherwise, she is a completely healthy, lively, and happy girl (her parents are "spaghetti-like" :-).. The pediatrician advises the mother to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula and high-calorie drinks.

The girl is partially breastfed and eats about 3 times a day, sometimes more and sometimes less. After consulting with the mother, it seems to me that the mother wants to fully apply the BLW method and doesn't want to motivate the child in other ways (trying different food textures, new foods, helping with a spoon, or motivating through play..) and leaves the eating entirely up to the girl.

What approach would you recommend? And I am also interested in whether it is right for the mother to stop breastfeeding and switch to formula as the doctor recommended :-(. Thank you very much for your perspective on the matter.

Have a nice day.

These situations are somewhat unfortunate because pediatricians have a duty not to neglect child care, so they are compelled to follow the rules dictated by their profession, which we cannot blame them for in any way. On the other hand, if the parents are typical ectomorphs and the child has inherited this somatotype, it is logical that the problem of "fitting" into population charts arises. I believe that if the child's energy and nutritional intake is adequate and nothing important is missing from the diet, there is no reason to overfeed them. The BLW method is fine, but here too, the principle that a parent responsible for their child should monitor the nutritional profile of their diet (with the help of nutritional apps) should apply - essentially, it is only in this way that you can confidently state that the diet is headed in the right direction. However, there should be some motivation for eating, because through this, the child develops and forms emotional patterns that will influence their relationship with food in the future.