How Does Diet Affect Breastfeeding?

Babies and Breast Milk

In order to meet the nutritional needs of an infant, some mothers choose to breastfeed as opposed to using infant formula. Breast milk is the most natural way to feed a baby, but breast milk is heavily influenced by a mother's own diet. Not only do the foods she consumes supply the infant with needed nutrients, it also gives her body the necessary energy and nutrients needed to produce milk.

Calories and Calcium

In past years, many doctors advised that a nursing mother consume an extra 500 calories a day and also drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water a day. Now, there is not set amount of extra calories a mother needs to consume in order to breastfeed. Doctors still advise that a nursing mother should still drink extra fluids to obtain the milk necessary for milk production.

Calcium is one of the most important nutrients a mother should consume. It is recommended that a nursing mother consume at least 1,000 milligrams a day. You eat and drink a wide variety of foods to meet your daily calcium requirements. Foods such as yogurt, cheese, salmon and broccoli are excellent sources of calcium.

Caffeine and Spices

All foods and liquids you consume can enter your breast milk. This reason is important to include a variety of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. In some cases, some nursing mothers should avoid strongly flavored foods and spices. It is very important that caffeine and nicotine are strongly avoided. The caffeine not only decreases your milk production can make your infant fussy. It is best to avoid alcohol while breastfeeding. Alcohol and other drugs can easily pass through your breast milk and be harmful to your infant.