Diet Tips for Breastfeeding Moms

Breastfeeding and Your Diet
Think of nursing as continued motivation to follow the healthy diet you followed during pregnancy. Focus on eating whole grains and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, and foods that provide plenty of protein, calcium and iron (and, as always, an occasional treat is fine).

It is important to drink plenty of fluids to ensure you stay well hydrated when breastfeeding. Try and drink eight to twelve glasses of water a day. When breastfeeding, oxytocin is released and this can make you feel thirsty, but won't effect your milk supply.

As when you were pregnant, it is a good idea to try and cut back or avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can get into your breast milk and harm your baby physically, or cause him to be irritable. You will be able to tell if a food substance has an effect on your baby as it may cause him to cry, be fussy, or be unable to sleep.

Check Your Iron Levels
If you took a vitamin-mineral supplement during your pregnancy, you might not need one now that you've had your baby. Most women have depleted iron stores during a good chunk of their childbearing years, so you may be needing an iron pill. It may be a good idea to see your doctor or midwife to ask what they recommend.