Breastfeeding your baby can be a gift that provides health benefits to last a lifetime. Though there are many benefits to breastfeeding, breastfeeding mothers need to pay attention to their diet, as they have different nutritional requirements from non-breastfeeding women. Proper nutrition will help a woman to make enough breast milk and will ensure that her breast milk is the healthiest thing for the baby.
Extra Calories
Kelly Bonyata, an international board-certified lactation consultant and editor for the baby-focused website Kellymom.com, states that eating enough calories is crucial for breastfeeding moms because if they do not eat enough calories, they may not be able to produce enough breast milk. BreastfeedingBasics.com estimates that nursing burns an extra 200 to 500 calories per day, depending on how often you do it. Breastfeeding moms should eat frequent meals and snacks to make sure they get in a minimum of 1,800 calories each day while nursing.
Diet Effects
Breastfeeding mothers do not need to maintain a perfect diet in order to breastfeed their babies, Bonyata says. Still, breastfeeding moms should aim to get foods from all of the food groups, including fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy and protein foods every day. Each food group has a particular purpose to help the mom and baby be as healthy as possible. While eating dairy doesn't increase breast milk supply, BreastfeedingBasics.com states that women who breastfeed need a minimum of 1,000 mg of calcium each day from supplements or foods like milk and cheese. Otherwise, they may lose bone mass after breastfeeding.
Drugs, Nicotine, Alcohol Considerations
The website BreastfeedingBasics.com states that no foods need to be avoided while breastfeeding. Unlike during the pregnancy, a breastfeeding mom can safely eat any food without harming her baby. The only things that need to be avoided by breastfeeding mothers are alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. These things can all pass through the breast milk and possibly harm the baby.
Considerations
Food sensitivities are not very common among breastfed babies, though they do occur sometimes. BreastfeedingBasics.com states that some women find that their babies have more gas when they eat gas-producing foods like cabbage and broccoli. They explain that while all babies have gas and it is normal for babies' moods and digestive systems to change, breastfeeding mothers may want to avoid a particular food if that it affects her baby when she eats it and breastfeeds. About 3 to 7 percent of breastfed babies experience rashes or other reactions associated to something the mom ate, according to BreastfeedingBasics.com.
Fluids
An adequate intake of fluid is necessary for breastfeeding moms to produce enough breast milk. BreastfeedingBasics.com states that you do not need to force yourself to drink gallons and gallons of milk, but it is important to drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day. You can also boost your fluid intake by drinking tea without caffeine and juice. Eating foods that have high water contents, like soup and watermelons can also help to boost your fluid intake.
