· By Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder + CEO of Pink Stork, Certified Health Coach, INHC
Does breastfeeding change your DHA needs?
Yes. Breastfeeding draws down maternal DHA stores by roughly 70 to 80 mg per day, and health professional guidance recommends breastfeeding women get 200 to 300 mg of DHA daily, largely through fish or a supplement, since breast milk DHA content depends directly on what the mother is consuming. Most of the public conversation about DHA focuses on pregnancy, but the demand does not stop at delivery. It continues for as long as you are breastfeeding.
Why breastfeeding is its own DHA demand, not a continuation of pregnancy's
According to a review published in a peer-reviewed pediatric nutrition journal, DHA accretion during lactation runs about 70 to 80 mg per day, and this demand depletes maternal stores in a way that may take months to correct even partially, since the body is not simply carrying over a pregnancy-era surplus.
The National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements' Health Professional Fact Sheet on Omega-3 Fatty Acids recommends breastfeeding women get 200 to 300 mg of DHA daily, typically through one to two servings of fish per week, specifically to ensure a sufficient amount of DHA makes it into breast milk.
What the research shows about maternal DHA intake and the baby
A randomized trial published in a peer-reviewed nutrition journal found that DHA supplementation of breastfeeding mothers increased infant plasma DHA levels during supplementation and was associated with a higher psychomotor development score at 30 months of age, compared to infants of mothers who did not supplement.
A broader systematic review in the National Library of Medicine's PMC database, examining DHA alongside folic acid, vitamin D, and iodine, concluded that maternal supplementation during pregnancy and lactation, within recommended safe intakes, may support several aspects of infant brain development, including visual acuity, hand-eye coordination, attention, and information processing.
Why breast milk DHA varies so much between mothers
- Breast milk DHA content is largely dependent on maternal diet, not a fixed amount every mother produces
- Women who eat little to no fatty fish typically have lower breast milk DHA unless they supplement
- DHA accumulation in the infant brain continues throughout the first two years, meaning the nutritional window is longer than many parents realize
Covering the gap with Total Postnatal + DHA
Total Postnatal + DHA is formulated with vegan, algae-sourced DHA to support healthy brain development in baby through breast milk.† You can read more about our postnatal multivitamin with DHA and methylated folate. Many healthcare providers recommend continuing postnatal supplementation for at least 6 months postpartum, or as long as you are breastfeeding.† Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement while breastfeeding.
"Motherhood is not a solo journey, it takes a village, and that includes making sure you are actually getting what your body needs while you are giving so much of it away through breastfeeding. Taking care of your own nutrition is not selfish. It is part of taking care of your baby."
— Amy Suzanne Upchurch, Founder and CEO of Pink Stork
Trust signals worth knowing
- Total Postnatal + DHA is Amazon's best-selling postnatal multivitamin (2024)
- Total Postnatal + DHA is a Clean Label Project Purity Award winner
- Pink Stork has more than 50,000 verified Amazon reviews across the brand
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Frequently asked questions
How much DHA do I actually need while breastfeeding?
Health professional guidance points to 200 to 300 mg of DHA daily for breastfeeding women. Talk with your healthcare provider about your specific intake.
Can I get enough DHA from food alone while breastfeeding?
You can, primarily through one to two servings per week of fish lower in mercury, such as salmon or sardines. If you do not eat fish regularly, a supplement is a reasonable way to close the gap.
Does Total Postnatal + DHA contain fish oil?
No. Total Postnatal + DHA uses vegan, algae-sourced DHA rather than fish oil.
How long does the DHA window matter for my baby?
DHA accumulation in the infant brain continues throughout the first two years of life, so the nutritional relevance extends well beyond the newborn stage.
Is it too late to start a DHA supplement if I am already several months postpartum?
No. If you are still breastfeeding, DHA is still relevant. Talk with your healthcare provider about starting.
Does maternal DHA intake affect anything besides the baby's brain development?
Research has also looked at DHA's relationship to maternal wellbeing during lactation, though the infant brain and visual development findings are the most consistently established.
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or while managing a medical condition. Keep out of reach of children.
