How to Eat While Nursing

Eat a healthful diet while you are breastfeeding.

Many women who are nursing wonder if they should follow a special diet while they are breastfeeding. For the most part, this is unnecessary. As long as you eat a healthy diet, you probably will not have to make any major changes in your eating habits. Even an occasional treat is OK.

Instructions

1. Take care of yourself. Your breast milk will meet your baby's needs even if you are not eating well. However, a poor diet will have a negative effect on you. It is essential that you eat a healthful diet for your own sake. You will need to meet the demands of caring for a newborn baby. Try to eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, vegetables and calcium-rich foods.

2. Eat well, not more. Recent research shows that just because a woman is breastfeeding does not mean that she needs more calories. You calorie intake per day will depend on your energy output and current weight, regardless of whether you are breastfeeding.

3. Continue to limit your intake of fish. The guidelines for eating fish when you are breastfeeding are the same as when you were pregnant. Eat no more than six ounces of canned tuna per week. Limit your intake of cooked fish to 12 oz. per week. Avoid swordfish, mackerel, shark, orange roughy, tuna steaks and tilefish.

4. Refrain from drinking alcohol. Alcohol will enter your breast milk and can harm your baby. Alcohol can also interfere with your body's ability to produce breast milk.

5. Drink water. Breastfeeding causes your body to lose fluid. Try to drink a least eight glasses of water per day. Be sure to pay attention to your body and drink when you are thirsty.

6. Be mindful of how your food tastes. Foods with strong flavors may affect your baby. If you baby is fussy after breastfeeding, she may be sensitive to something that you ate. If she is allergic to something that you ate, she may even develop a rash or hives, become congested, or begin wheezing.

Tips & Warnings

• Breastfeeding helps to decrease fat deposits that developed during pregnancy.

• Food and beverages that are often associated with colic are broccoli, cow's milk and cabbage.

• While you are breastfeeding, lose weight gradually. Rapid weight loss can lead to toxins being released into your body and these can be dangerous for your baby.

• Do not participate in any type of strict or restrictive diet while you are breastfeeding. Limiting what you eat may reduce your supply of milk.

Resources

• Eating healthy while you are breastfeeding