Abstract: Objective To investigate the dietary nutritional status of lactating mothers in the urban area of Lanzhou and its relationship with breast milk composition. Methods A total of 102 lactating mothers were recruited. Their basic information and dietary status were investigated by questionnaire. Dietary nutrient intake was calculated. Blood samples were collected to detect the levels of hemoglobin and trace elements. Breast milk was collected to analyze the relationship between body mass index, macronutrient intake and milk composition. Results The average energy intake of lactating mothers was 1507.5 （1 245.5, 1 954.5） kcal, and the intake of energy, macronutrients and micronutrients were insufficient. The energy supply ratios of protein, fat and carbohydrate were 13.72%, 25.67% and 60.90%, respectively. The contents of fat, total protein, carbohydrate, dry matter and energy in milk were （4.33±1.23） g/100 mL, （1.23±0.24） g/100 mL, （7.07±0.32） g/100 mL, （12.82±1.13） g/100 mL, （73.70±10.93） kcal/100 mL, respectively. The fat, dry matter and energy in milk of overweight and obese lactating mothers were higher than those in other groups（all P<0.05）. No correlation was found between milk components and dietary macronutrients （all P>0.05）. The average hemoglobin content of lactating mothers was （137.23±1.10） g/L. Anemia was detected in 7（7.53%） lactating mothers. The deficiency of trace elements in lactating mothers was mainly magnesium （24.73%） and iron （7.53%）. Conclusion It is necessary to strengthen the nutrition education in lactating mothers, encourage them to have a reasonable diet, regularly detect the hemoglobin concentration, and timely find out the health problems and improve them.

Key words: Lactating mother, Nutritional status, Breast milk composition, Dietary survey, Breast feeding