Micronutrients during pregnancy and breastfeeding: an overview of nutrient requirements
This overview shows which micronutrients play a role in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and how these needs change over time.
The body’s nutrient requirements change during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The body needs to supply nutrients for the mother while the child develops. As a result, the need for certain vitamins, minerals and fatty acids increases.
This overview shows which micronutrients play a role in pregnancy and breastfeeding, and how these needs change over time.
Why micronutrients are particularly important during pregnancy
Numerous processes of adaptation take place in the body during pregnancy, and the need for various micronutrients increases significantly. Micronutrients need to be supplied to both the mother and the growing child.
Micronutrients are involved in:
- Cell division and cell growth
- The development of organs and tissues
- The formation of blood and tissue
- Various metabolic processes
You can find out more about pregnancy and breastfeeding in our Pregnancy and breastfeeding topic area
How nutrient requirements change during pregnancy
While energy needs hardly increase at all in the first trimester, they rise in the following months. Vitamins and mineral requirements during pregnancy and breastfeeding increase considerably more than energy needs
First trimester
In the first trimester, important developmental processes start in the embryo. Nutrients that are involved in cell division and tissue development play an important role at this early stage of pregnancy.
Second trimester
The child starts growing much faster in the second trimester. At the same time, the mother’s tissue, blood volume and metabolism start to adapt more. This also increases the need for various vitamins and minerals.
Third trimester
In the third trimester, the child grows especially fast and increasingly builds up reserves. An adequate supply of key micronutrients also remains crucial in this phase.
Key micronutrients in pregnancy – an overview
Folic acid (folate)
Folate contributes to the growth of maternal tissue during pregnancy and plays a role in cell division.
Iron
Iron contributes to the normal production of red blood cells and haemoglobin, the normal transport of oxygen around the body and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue.
During pregnancy, the need for iron increases, partly due to increased blood production.
Iodine
Iodine is needed for the production of thyroid hormones and contributes, amongst other things, to normal metabolism and the normal functioning of the nervous system.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is needed for healthy growth and healthy bone development in children. Vitamin D also plays a role in cell division.
H3 Omega-3 fatty acid DHA
Maternal uptake of DHA contributes to normal brain and eye development in the foetus and breastfed baby1.
1 Beneficial if 200 mg of DHA is taken daily in addition to the recommended daily dose of omega-3 fatty acids (i.e. 250 mg DHA and EPA) for adults.
Nutrition during pregnancy
A varied diet can help to meet the increased need for many micronutrients.
A balanced diet includes, but is not limited to:
- Vegetables and fruits
- Whole grain products
- Dairy products
- Legumes
- Meat, fish and high-quality vegetable oils
During pregnancy, eating several smaller meals a day is often described as being more comfortable than eating fewer large portions. This puts less strain on the stomach and reduces symptoms such as nausea or bloating. The exact timing of meals and meal patterns may vary from person to person.
Nutrient requirements while breastfeeding
Even after birth, the need for various micronutrients remains high. During pregnancy, the focus is on the development of the child in the womb. In the breastfeeding period, the baby is supplied with nutrients through breast milk.
Because additional energy and nutrients are required for the production of breast milk, energy needs are often higher while breastfeeding than they are during pregnancy. At the same time, an adequate supply of certain vitamins, minerals and fatty acids remains important.
Conclusion: micronutrients play a key role
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, the nutrient requirements of the mother’s body change significantly. Certain vitamins, minerals and fatty acids are needed in larger quantities during this period to support both the health of the mother and the development of the child.
While a balanced diet remains the most important basis for this, it can be difficult to meet the increased requirements solely through nutrition in this phase of life. Depending on individual circumstances, an additional intake of selected micronutrients is therefore advisable.
Sources and further information
The information on nutrient requirements during pregnancy and while breastfeeding is based on recommendations and reference values from official specialist institutions. These include national and European nutrition societies and health authorities.
- Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office (FSVO)
- Reference values for nutrient intake for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (German Nutrition Society, Austrian Nutrition Society, Swiss Society for Nutrition)
- European Food Safety Authority (EFSA): dietary reference values for nutrients
- Swiss Society for Nutrition (SSN)
