Aim: 

Breastfeeding is promoted during the first months of life for the multiple benefits it has for the newborn, both on growth and gastrointestinal function and is also positive for the mother. The increased requirements to cover the anabolic demands of lactation, both in macro and micronutrients, especially calcium, should be provided by the diet. The objective of the present study was to determine the calcium intake quality of the breastfeeding women's diet as well as to compare it with the vitamin D and phosphorus intake.

Methods: 

Our study analyzed the diets of 39 healthy women (average age = 34.3 years; average BMI = 26.2 Kg/m2) who were exclusively breastfeeding, by a 24 hour dietary recall and calculated using the software Dial^®, focusing on calcium and vitamin D. The statistical analysis of the data was descriptive ( DS) and inferential (T-Student). Pearson correlation coefficient (r²) was used for calculation of calcium/vitamin D values.

Results: 

The results showed that for 64% of the study population, nutritional intake tended to be lower than recommended; of 2042.7 458.3 Kcal, calcium intake (812.4 211.2 mg/day) was lower (p <0.01) as well as vitamin D, in which the daily intake was also less (1.71 1.59 mg/day), both compared with the rest of the population without overweight.

Conclusion: 

We conclude that a high percentage of these mothers consume diets below nutritional recommendations during this stage. We recommend health professionals to inform lactating women regarding optimal dietary habits during this period.