The effect of nursing mothers’ diet on breast milk composition

Egorova A.S., Puzankina P.A., Babaeva Sh.N., Timofeev M.A., Molkova A.A.

1) Patrice Lumumba Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 2) Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Moscow, Russia; 3) Derzhavin Tambov State University, Tambov, Russia; 4) I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), Moscow, Russia; 5) Volgograd State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, Volgograd, Russia

Breast milk is the most balanced food for infants. It contains all the essential nutrients, biologically active compounds, and protective antibodies that a child should receive during the first years of life. The development of the baby is directly dependent on the mother’s milk and its quality is due to the health of the mother and the quality of her nutrition.
The objective of this article is to popularize information about the benefits of breast milk, to confirm or disprove the correlations between the composition of breast milk and the diet of the nursing mother.
The article discusses the results of the studies conducted to determine the effect of various components of the nursing mother’s diet on the contents of fatty acids, proteins, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals in breast milk. In addition, there are practical recommendations for optimizing the nutritional status of the nursing mothers to improve the quality of breast milk by enriching it with essential nutrients and antibodies. All these recommendations may be used to ensure the best possible start in life for newborns. The study also highlights the need for information support for the nursing mothers from health and social services, and the importance of further research in this area aimed at developing and improving nutritional recommendations in the future.
Conclusion: Healthy and balanced diet contributes not only to the overall health of the mother, but it also significantly affects the quality of breast milk by increasing its content in vital vitamins and micronutrients. This is especially important for the development and growth of the child, for ensuring the child’s needs for these substances in the first stages of life. The consumption of a variety of foods rich in essential vitamins and micronutrients should be a priority for nursing mothers. Moreover, it is possible to use vitamin and mineral complexes, when necessary, according to the doctor’s recommendation. These complexes will enrich breast milk with all the necessary nutrients, supporting the health and balanced development of the child.

Authors’ contributions: Egorova A.S., Babaeva Sh.N., Timofeev M.A. – developing the concept and design of the study; Molkova A.A., Puzankina P.A. – collecting and processing the material; Babaeva Sh.N., Timofeev M.A. – processing the material; Puzankina P.A., Molkova A.A. – writing the text; Egorova A.S. – editing the article.
Conflicts of interest: The authors declare no possible conflicts of interest.
Funding: The study was conducted without sponsorship.
For citation: Egorova A.S., Puzankina P.A., Babaeva Sh.N., Timofeev M.A., Molkova A.A. 
The effect of nursing mothers’ diet on breast milk composition.
Akusherstvo i Ginekologiya/Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2024; (6): 19-26 (in Russian)
https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/aig.2024.84

Keywords

breast milk
nursing mothers
vitamins
trace elements
minerals
children

References

  1. Мачнева И.В., Афонина С.Н., Карнаухова И.В., Лебедева Е.Н. Современный взгляд на протеом грудного молока. Журнал Гродненского государственного медицинского университета. 2020; 18(1): 5-10. [Machneva I.V., Afonina S.N., Karnaukhova I.V., Lebedeva E.N. Modern look on the proteome of breast milk. Journal of Grodno State Medical University. 2020; 18(1): 5-10. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.25298/2221-8785-2020-18-1-5-10.
  2. Коденцова В., Гмошинская М. Насыщенность грудного молока витаминами и ее оптимизация. Врач. 2015; 1: 68-73. [Kodentsova V., Gmoshinskaya M. Breast milk vitamin profile and its optimization. Doctor. 2015; (1): 68-73. (in Russian)].
  3. Боровик Т.Э., Яцык Г.В., Скворцова В.А., Беляева И.А., Звонкова Н.Г., Бушуева Т.В., Лукоянова О.Л. Состав грудного молока и питание матери: есть связь? Педиатрия им. Г.Н. Сперанского. 2018; 97(4): 160-7. [Borovik T.E., Yatsyk G.V., Skvortsova V.A., Belyaeva I.A., Zvonkova N.G., Bushueva T.V., Lukoyanova O.L. Breast milk composition and mother's nutrition: is there a connection? Pediatria n.a. G.N. Speransky. 2018; 97(4): 160-7. (in Russian)].
  4. Захарова И.Н., Оробинская Я.В., Сугян Н.Г., Ковтун Т.А., Табулович Е.В. Олигосахариды грудного молока: что мы знаем о них сегодня? Педиатрия. Consilium Medicum. 2022; 3: 204-12. [Zakharova I.N., Orobinskaia Ia.V., Sugian N.G., Kovtun T.A., Tabulovich E.V. Breast milk oligosaccharides: what do we know today? Pediatrics. Consilium Medicum. 2022; (3): 204-12. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.26442/26586630.2022.3.201851.
  5. Самандарова Б.С., Аллаберганова З.С., Каримова М.А., Каримов Р.О. Микробный пейзаж грудного молока кормящих женщин и уровня содержания иммуноглобулина в грудном молоке. Вестник науки и образования. 2020; 10-1: 88-91. [Samandarova B.S., Allaberganova Z.S., Karimova M.А., Karimov R.О. Microbial landscape of breast milk of nursing women and content of the immunoglobulin level in breast milk. Bulletin of Science and Education. 2020; (10-1): 88-91. (in Russian)].
  6. Ладодо О.Б., Жданова С.И., Зубков В.В., Коденцова В.М., Дегтярев Д.Н., Рюмина И.И., Салагай О.О., Шешко Е.Л. Грудное вскармливание в России: проблемы и перспективы. Общественное здоровье. 2023; 3(1): 18-32. [Ladodo O.B., Zhdanova S.I., Zubkov V.V., Kodentsova V.M., Degtyarev D.N., Ryumina I.I., Salagay O.O., Sheshko E.L. Breastfeeding in Russia: problems and prospects. Public Health. 2023; 3(1): 18-32. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.21045/2782-1676-2023-3-1-18-32.
  7. Haschke F., Haiden N., Thakkar S.K. Nutritive and bioactive proteins in breastmilk. Ann. Nutr. Metab. 2016; 69(Suppl 2): 17-26. https://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000452820.
  8. Прилуцкая В.А., Глущенко М.Ф., Кривенок Д.В., Пашкевич Л.Н. Содержание адипокинов и макронутриентов в грудном молоке: связь с материнскими характеристиками и антропометрическими показателями доношенных и недоношенных новорожденных детей. Педиатрия. Восточная Европа. 2022; 10(3): 334-50. [Prilutskaya V.A., Glushchenko M.F., Krivenok D.V., Pashkevich L.N. Content of adipokines and macronutrients in breast milk: correlation with maternal characteristics and anthropometric indicators of full-term and preterm newborns. Pediatrics. Eastern Europe. 2022; 10(3): 334-50. (in Russian)].
  9. Махова А.А., Ших Е.В., Хайтович Е.Д. Микронутриентная поддержка: влияние на течение беременности и состав грудного молока. Вопросы гинекологии, акушерства и перинатологии. 2019; 18(3): 114-23. [Makhova A.A., Shikh E.V., Khaitovich E.D. Micronutrient support: influence on the course of pregnancy and breast milk composition. Gynecology, Obstetrics and Perinatology. 2019; 18(3): 114-23. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.20953/1726-1678-2019-3-114-123.
  10. Сагитова Г.Р., Антонова А.А., Давыдова О.В., Середа В.М., Шульдайс В.А., Клюева Н.В. Естественное вскармливание детей первого года жизни. Астраханский медицинский журнал. 2022; 17(3): 60-5. [Sagitova G.R., Antonova A.A., Davydova O.V., Sereda V.M., Shul'days V.A., Klyueva N.V. Natural feeding children in the first year of life. Astrakhan Medical Journal. 2022; 17(3): 60-5. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.48612/agmu/2022.17.3.60.65.
  11. Симченко А.В., Девялтовская М.Г., Свирская О.Я., Старовойтова А.С., Глущенко М.Ф. Особенности состава грудного молока у преждевременно родивших женщин. Медицинские новости. 2022; 12: 36-9. [Simchenko A.V., Devyaltovskaya M.G., Svirskaya O.Ya., Starovoitova A.S., Glushchenko M.F. Features of the composition of breast milk in women who gave birth prematurely. Medical News. 2022; (12): 36-9. (in Russian)].
  12. Батиёр Б.Х. Иммуногенные свойства молочных желез и грудного молока. Журнал повторного здоровья. 2022; 2: 21-30. [Batiyor B.Kh. Mammary glands and breast milk immunogenic features. Re-Health Journal. 2022; (2): 22-30].
  13. Арзуманян В.Г., Колыганова Т.И., Вартанова Н.О., Ожован И.М., Кравцова Е.О., Зверев В.В. Условно-патогенная микробиота грудного молока и антимикробная активность сыворотки на разных сроках лактации. Журнал микробиологии, эпидемиологии и иммунобиологии. 2023; 100(1): 74-83. [Arzumanian V.G., Kolyganova T.I., Vartanova N.O., Ozhovan I.M., Kravtsova E.O., Zverev V.V. Opportunistic microbiota of breast milk and antimicrobial activity of milk whey at different periods of lactation. Journal of Microbiology, Epidemiology, and Immunobiology. 2023; 100(1): 74-83. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.36233/0372-9311-352.
  14. Соколова Н.С., Бородулина Т.В., Санникова Н.Е. Физиологическая роль макроэлементов грудного молока (кальция, фосфора, магния) в развитии детей первого года жизни. Уральский медицинский журнал. 2022; 21(6): 51-7. [Sokolova N.S., Borodulina T.V., Sannikova N.E. The physiological role of macronutrients in breast milk (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium) in the development of children of the first year of life. Ural Medical Journal. 2022; 21(6): 51-7. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi. org/10.52420/2071-5943-2022-21-6-51-57.
  15. Нетребенко О.К., Украинцев С.Е. Грудное молоко: пребиотик, пробиотик или синбиотик? Педиатрия им. Г.Н. Сперанского. 2008; 87(1). [Netrebenko O.K., Ukraintsev S.E. Breast milk: prebiotic, probiotic or synbiotic? Pediatria n.a. G.N. Speransky. 2008; 87(1). (in Russian)].
  16. Blanc B. Biochemical aspects of human milk-comparison with bovine milk. World Rev. Nutr. Diet. 1981; 36: 1-89. https://dx.doi.org/10.1159/000393152.
  17. Ahlberg E., Al-Kaabawi A., Thune R., Simpson M.R., Pedersen S., Cione E. et al. Breast milk microRNAs: Potential players in oral tolerance development. Front. Immunol. 2023; 4: 1154211. https://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1154211.
  18. Lee V.A., Lorenz K. The nutritional and physiological impact of milk in human nutrition. CRC Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 1978; 11(1): 41-116. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/10408397909527259.
  19. Вялкова А.А., Плотникова С.В., Зыкова Л.С., Любимова О.К., Гордиенко Л.М., Зорин И.В., Мещерякова А.И. Питание как фактор программирования здоровья (обзор литературы). Лечащий врач. 2021; 6: 37-40. [Vyalkova A.A., Plotnikova S.V., Zykova L.S., Lyubimova O.K., Gordienko L.M., Zorin I.V., Meshcheryakova A.I. Nutrition as a factor of health programming (literature review). Lechaschi Vrach. 2021; (6): 37-40. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.51793/OS.2021.24.6.007.
  20. Гмошинский И.В., Скворцова В.А., Боровик Т.Э., Боковская О.А. Олигосахариды грудного молока в детских смесях: вчера, сегодня, завтра. Лeчащий врач. 2022; 2: 40-8. [Gmoshinsky I.V., Skvortsova V.A., Borovik T.E., Bokovskaya O.A. Human milk oligosaccharides in infant formula: yesterday, today, tomorrow. Lechaschi Vrach. 2022; (2): 40-8. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.51793/OS.2022.25.2.007.
  21. Грошева Е.В., Зубков В.В. Обзор дискуссионных вопросов фортификации грудного молока у недоношенных детей. Неонатология: новости, мнения, обучение. 2021; 9(4): 49-57. [Grosheva E.V., Zubkov V.V. Review of the most contentious issues of breast milk fortification in preterm infants. Neonatology: News, Opinions, Training. 2021; 9(4): 49-57. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.33029/2308-2402-2021-9-4-49-57.
  22. Murodovna J.D., Sabina D. Breast milk and its importance for the child. American Journal of Language, Literacy and Learning in STEM Education (2993-2769). 2023; 1(6): 261-4.
  23. Vacaru S.V., Brett B.E., Eckermann H., de Weerth C. Determinants of maternal breast milk cortisol increase: Examining dispositional and situational factors. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 2023; 158(10): 106385. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106385.
  24. Waldby C., Noble-Carr D., Carroll K. Mothers, milk and mourning: The meanings of breast milk after loss of an infant. Sociol. Health Illn. 2023; 45(1): 109-27. https://dx.doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13551.
  25. Li R., Zhou Y., Xu Y. Comparative analysis of oligosaccharides in breast milk and feces of breast-fed infants by using LC-QE-HF-MS: A communication. Nutrients. 2023; 15(4): 888. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/nu15040888.
  26. Jensen C.L., Maude M., Anderson R.E., Heird W.C. Effect of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation of lactating women on the fatty acid composition of breast milk lipids and maternal and infant plasma phospholipids. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. 2000; 71(Suppl.1): 292S-9S. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/71.1.292s.
  27. Bermejo-Haro M.Y., Camacho-Pacheco R.T., Brito-Pérez Y., Mancilla-Herrera I. The hormonal physiology of immune components in breast milk and their impact on the infant immune response. Mol. Cell. Endocrinol. 2023; 572: 111956. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mce.2023.111956.
  28. Valentine C.J., Morrow G., Pennell M., Morrow A.L., Hodge A., Haban-Bartz A. et al. Randomized controlled trial of docosahexaenoic acid supplementation in midwestern U.S. human milk donors. Breastfeed Med. 2013; 8(1): 86-91. https://dx.doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2011.0126.
  29. Орлова С.В., Никитина Е.А., Балашова Н.В., Прокопенко Е.В. Еще раз об омеге: влияние омега-3 ПНЖК на состав материнского молока и здоровье детей. Медицинский алфавит. 2022; 3: 34-8. [Orlova S.V., Nikitina E.A., Balashova N.V., Prokopenko E.V. Once again about omega: impact of omega-3 PUFAs on composition of mother’s milk and health of children. Medical Alphabet. 2022; (3): 34-8. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.33667/2078-5631-2022-3-34-38.
  30. Иванова И.Е. Задержка внутриутробного развития плода и новорожденного. Лечебная тактика врача-педиатра. Здравоохранение Чувашии. 2021; 2: 61-82. [Ivanova I.E. Delayed intrauterine development of the fetus and newborn. Therapeutic tactics of a pediatrician. Healthcare of Chuvashia. 2021; (2): 61-82. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.25589/GIDUV.2021.40.98.001.
  31. Захарова И.Н., Сугян Н.Г., Косарева А.А., Герман Н.В., Оробинская Я.В., Пупыкина В.В. Материнство и вскармливание ребенка: исторические аспекты и современная практика. Педиатрия. Consilium Medicum. 2022; 4: 278-85. [Zakharova I.N., Sugian N.G., Kosareva A.A., German N.V., Orobinskaia I.V., Pupykina V.V. Motherhood and infant feeding: historical aspects and current practice. A review. Pediatrics. Consilium Medicum. 2022; (4): 278-85. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.26442/26586630.2022.4.201762.
  32. Исаева Б.Э., Макимбетов Э.К. Витамин В12 дефицитная анемия у детей. Научное обозрение. Медицинские науки. 2024; 1: 5-9. [Isaeva B.E., Makimbetov E.K. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia in children. Science Review. Medical Sciences. 2024; (1): 5-9. (in Russian)]. https://dx.doi.org/10.17513/srms.1378.

Received 08.04.2024

Accepted 22.05.2024

About the Authors

Anna S. Egorova, Specialist, Patrice Lumumba People’s Friendship University of Russia, 117198, Russia, Moscow, Miklukho-Maklaya str., 6, memater.eas@rambler.ru,
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1261-6603
Polina A. Puzankina, Specialist, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 117997, Russia, Moscow, Ostrovityanova str., 1,
https://orcid.org/0009-0004-7071-6482
Shafa N. Babaeva, Specialist, G.R. Derzhavin Tambov State University, 392000, Russia, Tambov, Internatsionalnaya str., 33, https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2267-4268
Mikhail A. Timofeev, Specialist, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia (Sechenov University), 119991, Russia, Moscow,
Trubetskaya str., 8-2, https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7167-947
Anastasiya A. Molkova, Bachelor’s degree, Volgograd State Medical University, Ministry of Health of Russia, 400066, Russia, Volgograd, Pavshih Bortsov sqr., 1,
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-4112-161X
Corresponding author: Anna S. Egorova, memater.eas@rambler.ru

Similar Articles

By continuing to use our site, you consent to the processing of cookies that ensure the proper functioning of the site.