Final answer:
A breastfeeding woman should increase her daily caloric intake by 330 to 400 kilocalories to avoid nutrient deficiencies and properly support lactation.
Step-by-step explanation:
To avoid nutrient deficiencies, a breastfeeding woman needs an extra 330 to 400 kilocalories daily during lactation. When considering the energy required for lactation, a healthy baby may need approximately 850 ml of milk per day, which at 68 Kcal/100 ml, results in about 578 Kcal/day for the milk alone. However, because the efficiency of milk production is near 80%, it is estimated that the mother needs to consume an additional 720 Kcal/day to meet the energy demands of lactation. These extra calories come not only from the mother's daily diet but are also supported by fat reserves accumulated during pregnancy. Furthermore, lactating mothers who are sedentary may require up to 2400 Kcal/day, those with moderate work may need about 2800 Kcal/day, and heavy workers may require approximately 3000 Kcal/day.
Considering these factors, an extra 330 to 400 Kcal/day aligns with the body's increased metabolic needs during early lactation. This additional caloric intake ensures the mother maintains her health while producing enough milk to nourish her infant.