Question

The nurse leads a prenatal class about breastfeeding. Which of the following statements, if made by the nurse, accurately describes the nutritional needs of a woman during lactation is compared tot he nutritional needs of pregnancy?

- More calories, protein, and calcium are needed during lactation than are needed during pregnancy.
- More calories but the same amount of protein, calcium, and fluids are needed.
- Fewer calories and less protein are needed during lactation than are needed during pregnancy, but more calcium is needed.
- Only more fat is needed during lactation than is needed during pregnancy.

Answer 1

During lactation, a woman needs more calories, protein, and calcium than during pregnancy to meet the increased energy demands and nutrient requirements for milk production.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse in a prenatal class discussing breastfeeding should accurately convey that the nutritional needs during lactation are different compared to the needs during pregnancy. During lactation, a woman's body requires more calories to compensate for the energy utilized in the production of breast milk. Specifically, glucose is consumed for the production of lactose, formation of breast milk fat, and synthesis of milk protein casein. To meet the demands of lactation, a mother needs an extra diet of approximately 720 Kcal/day. Additionally, the maternal diet during lactation must provide enough protein and calcium for the adequate synthesis and secretion of milk. Therefore, it is correct to say that more calories, protein, and calcium are needed during lactation than are needed during pregnancy.