Dear Lactnetters,
I am looking for references and opinions on calcium intake and bone density of a
breastfeeding mother. My learning has so far been that routine supplementation
of calcium is not required during nursing owing to increases in bone turnover
rate, and reductions in urinary calcium excretion. (Dr. Ann Prentice, Maternal
calcium metabolism and bone mineral status, American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, Vol. 71, No. 5, 1312S-1316s, May 2000) &
(http://www.llli.org/cbi/bibosteoporosis.html) .
I have permission to post, I had a mother send me this mail,
"I had some medical checkups done and found that my bone density levels are very
low. It is -1.6 which falls under the osteopenia category. The direct
correlation that the gynec did was to the breastfeeding and whether I took
supplements when feeding my son. I was taking calcium supplements when I
exclusively breastfeeding, but after he started solids I had stopped taking any
supplements, but continued to have 300-400 ml of milk everyday along with other
milk products like buttermilk or paneer (but not daily). Currently I have been
advised to take calcium supplements as my levels are very low. The doctor has
suggested me to take supracal pro which has about 1250 mg calcium, also I am
continuing the same dairy intake as mentioned above. I weaned about 6 months
ago. When I checked on the internet above this, there are articles which say the
bone density in breastfeeding mothers reduce and then get back to normalcy after
6 months -1yr time. My bone density levels before pregnancy was very high - way
above the normal (as I remember taking some tests in the office as part of
osteroporosis awareness camp). I would really like to get your opinion on this
and to spread the awareness about this calcium need in women who are doing
extended breastfeeding, after all the mother's health is very critical too.
Bone density (Dexa) Test values interpretation: (for your reference)
Greater than -1 => Normal / -1 to -2.5 => osteopenia /Less than -2.5 =>
osteoporosis"
I am looking for your insights to explain her levels of calcium before and after
pregnancy and lactation.
Thank you
Yasmin
MA, HDSE, CLEC, LLLL
Mumbai, India
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