I've been reading a newly published book called Mother Nurture: A Mother's
Guide to Health in Body, Mind, and Intimate Relationships. While the book is
supportive of breastfeeding in some ways, it repeatedly makes the point that
a mother who is not getting enough nutrients in her diet is draining her
bodily reserves each time she nurses. (They point out that baby gets what he
needs, but at the expense of the mother.)

I've tried to find research that either proves or disproves this point and
am coming up dry. In most texts, we *do* advise the mother to eat well for
her own well-being; however, I'm not finding discussion of the effects on
the mother who does NOT get needed nutrients (I believe Breastfeeding and
Human Lactation cited a study showing this with regard to selenium -- but
that's just one nutrient), whether through her diet or supplements.

It's obvious to me (and the research seems to support this assumption) that
badgering breastfeeding mothers about their diet will simply cause them to
choose not to breastfeed. Certainly eating a poor diet will result in a new
mother feeling lousy and being less capable of parenting to her standards --
but this is likely true no matter how baby is fed. What I'm not finding
evidence to prove or disprove is whether breastfeeding AND maintaining poor
nutritional status result in depleting the mother's reserves of specific
nutrients and causing her to feel bad.

Does anyone have information on this?
Thanks,
Janice Berry
Westerville, Ohio

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