Woman with other young children, a job outside the home, or who have other demands on their time are at greatest risk of excessive fatigue. Adequate rest during the first 6 weeks of lactation are especially important, to ensure success with breastfeeding. Help and support when needed should be secured. High intensity exercise does not reduce milk production, but it can change its flavor. This is because lactic acid, a bitter flavored byproduct of muscle metabolism, can pass into milk.
Some women report their infants are more 'fussy' when they breastfeed following a strenuous workout.
Expressing a little milk prior to nursing the baby may be helpful following intense exercise. Nutrition Tips for Lactating Moms Nutrient needs for lactation are similar to pregnancy needs except the need for iron is much less. Lactating women usually don't menstruate so their need for iron is even less than that of a non-pregnant woman that is having regular menstrual cycles. The pregnancy diet guide is a good place to start for helping with basic food selections. Lactation Calories A breastfeeding woman needs to consume a minimum of 1800 calories per day.