Importance Of Iodine In The Postnatal Diet For Breastfeeding Mothers

 

Iodine is essential for normal thyroid functioning, supporting healthy child development. Iodine requirements increase in pregnancy and after childbirth, but many women in regions without salt iodization have insufficient intakes. Not only during pregnancy but iodine still needs to be present in the woman’s body in the postnatal diet for breastfeeding mothers, in appropriate quantities, since that is how the baby will be getting it as well. A baby will obtain iodine and other nutrients from the mother’s breast milk which will help in the growth of the baby’s body and brain on schedule.

Role of Iodine in Baby’s Brain Development 

The link of iodine deficiency, even in the mildest forms, has been verified with the poor mental development of a child. It is believed that children who are struggling with reading or have a poor IQ when it comes to verbal communication could have had iodine depletion at some point. The thyroid gland is indirectly interconnected to the development of the brain, and thyroid hormone production can keep going unabated only when the presence of iodine in the body is at an optimal rank.

Low intake of iodine from food sources has been practiced in recent years as the dairy industry phased out iodine-based cleaners and we all started eating less iodized salt. Since 2009, iodized salt has been added to bread to boost iodine levels in the population of many countries. While most adults are now getting enough iodine, certain groups are still more likely to have deficits, including women aged 16-44 and people living in regional areas.

Amount of proper intake of iodine 

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that pregnant and lactating women should have an iodine intake of 250 µg/d and defines populations with adequate intake as having a median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) greater than 150 µg/L [3], largely based on to avoid goiter. Since 2006, the United States Institute of Medicine has recommended an iodine intake of 220μg/day during pregnancy and 290μg/day during lactation. However, there is narrow evidence describing how these criteria are reflected at a functional level in terms of thyroid hormones, or how iodine requirements counter during pregnancy and postnatal diet for breastfeeding mothers.

Iodine-rich Food Sources 

The ocean is well-reserved with iodine. Iodine-rich foods include oysters (there are 160 micrograms of iodine per 100g) and seaweed sushi (92 micrograms per 100g) have a sufficient amount of iodine. Raw seafood and prepared sushi are also adequate sources of iodine for breastfeeding women, along with tinned salmon (60 micrograms per 100g) and bread made with iodized salt (46 micrograms per 100g). Cheese and eggs also comprise some iodine.

Salt’s popularity has dwindled due to concerns about high blood pressure and other health concerns. But, if you’re going to take up salt, make sure it’s iodized so you get the highest use of the iodine.

Various foods are rich in iodine and can be consumed by pregnant and lactating mothers to maintain optimal levels of the same without much disquiet.

• Hard-boiled eggs

• Tuna fish

• Baked turkey breasts

• Fish sticks

• Baked potatoes

• Codfish

• Milk

• Iodized salt

Milk products, vegetables, and seafood tend to retain good proportions of iodine, based on how much iodine is present in the surrounding water and soil. 

Sometimes, seafood items can contain a higher proportion of iodine than is considered healthy. But women should not eat seafood, especially raw seafood. If you wish to include seafood in your pregnancy or postnatal diet for breastfeeding mothers, you should do so only after consulting with your doctor or nutritionist.

Author's bio: The author of this article works as a mental health professional and Specialist in the fields of Holistic Health, Lactation, Maternal Health Wellness, Child Nutrition, and Children's Milestone Development with effective and well-structured maternity wellness programs.