Eating for Breastfeeding
Contrary to popular myths, there is no need for Mum to keep to a special diet when breastfeeding or to eat any more than they normally would. It is important that you eat healthily, so that you keep well and are able to look after your baby. However, what you eat will not affect the quality or amount of your breastmilk. Your breastmilk will always be exactly the right quality for your baby.
If you are worried about the amount of breastmilk that you think your baby is getting, please contact a health professional (Midwife or Health Visitor team member) who can reassure you or suggest effective ways to increase your milk supply (better attachment, more frequent feeding) if necessary.
You don’t need to drink extra fluid when breastfeeding and again, drinking more will not affect the quantity of milk that you produce. However, it is important that you drink according to your thirst and you may find that you are more thirsty than usual, especially in the early days! It’s easy to forget to prepare a drink so that it is ready when needed and it can be hard to fit in looking after yourself in this way. It’s worth making sure that you always have a drink such as water or juice in a sports bottle within reach whenever you settle down to feed your baby.
Stephanie Heard – Infant Feeding Co-ordinator
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Primary Care Trust