Eating Right For Breastfeeding

When you are breastfeeding, your baby depends on you to eat well so that you can provide him with the nutrients he needs to grow. You also need to eat well for your own health.

When you are breastfeeding, you should eat a healthy balanced diet of about 3000 calories each day (more if you are nursing multiples). [postpartum diet]

Your baby will consume about 400 to 700 of those calories through your breast milk. Be sure to choose nutritious foods, and avoid junk food and sweets.

You should also avoid eating foods that produce gas, such as cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. These foods can cause your baby to have painful gas. It is a good idea to keep a food diary; this way if any food you are eating is causing discomfort in your baby, it will help you identify it.

Avoid foods that contain caffeine such as chocolate and coffee. Caffeine can be passed along to your baby. Caffeine containing foods will also cause you to urinate more frequently; because you are already losing fluids through breastfeeding this could lead to dehydration.

Avoid any prescription or over-the-counter medications, and do not drink alcohol.

It is essential that you stay properly hydrated while nursing. Plan to drink at least 2 quarts of water each day. Drinking a bottle of water each time you nurse your baby will help you get in the water that you need.

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