FORT BRAGG, N.C. (June 22, 2015) -- What should the diet of a breastfeeding mother be like? It should be yummy, but it could also be spicy or exotic. A breastfeeding mother is encouraged to eat the foods they like to eat.
When it comes to avoiding or limiting certain foods and beverages, there are only a few considerations -- some fish, caffeine and alcohol.
Some fish have high levels of mercury and are recommended to be avoided while breastfeeding such as tile fish, swordfish, shark and king mackerel. Not all fish is bad, though. Fish contains DHA which is a very important omega 3 that boost baby's brain development. Try to get in two to three servings per week of items like salmon, bluefish, bass, trout and flounder.
Even though caffeine does pass in the breastmilk, most babies are not bothered by it. The recommendation is to limit caffeine to only one or two cups a day. Alcohol also passes into your breastmilk. The recommendation for alcohol is to wait two to three hours after each serving.
A breastfeeding mother should consume about 2,300 to 2,500 calories a day from a diet with vegetables, fruit, meats, grains, and dairy. This breaks down to two cups a day of fruit, three cups a day of vegetables, 8 ounces of grains, 6.5 ounces of protein and three cups a day of dairy.
To develop food plan that is specific for you, visit www.ChooseMyPlate.gov.
So, go ahead and eat whatever you are craving. Not only does your body need the nutrition but your baby does too.
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