Nutrition, Dieting & Breastfeeding

Do you have to eat a "perfect diet" to produce milk?

I have met many women who are convinced that their poor diet meant they would be unable to produce enough milk for their babies.  (By poor I mean skipping a meal or not choosing healthy foods).  I have always thought that, unless a mother is severely malnourished or is crash dieting and is loosing more than 4-5 pounds per week consistently, she doesn't have to eat perfectly or even eat a lot to produce milk.  What are your thoughts on this?





You are correct that most mothers, even those that do not eat healthy foods or consume sufficient calories, produce sufficient milk for their babies.  A woman's body adapts, amazingly, to efficiently use any nutrients taken in.  Think of the quite malnourished mothers in developing countries who breastfeed their babies for years!

A breastfeeding mother should, however, be concerned that her own nutrition is not compromised.  This is particularly important if she becomes pregnant again. Breastfeeding women also should be cautioned against severely restrictive diets, especially during the early months postpartum.  Any weight loss more than about two pounds per week is not advised, as the long-term consequences of such rapid weight loss on the breastfed baby are not known. Most new mothers can lose the weight they gained during pregnancy by breastfeeding, exercising moderately, and eating a healthy diet.  A restricted caloric intake usually is not necessary.





 

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