| To ensure that your baby is getting adequate nutrition while nursing, it is important that you have an appropriate diet. Your diet should include four servings of dairy products, three to four servings of protein containing foods, five servings of fruits and vegetables, and six servings of breads and other grains. You should also drink plenty of fluids, but avoid drinks that are caffeinated or that contain alcohol.
While most things in your diet will pass into your breast milk, you should not have to restrict your diet too much. If your baby seems to get fussy after you eat or drink certain things, then avoid that type of food for a week or so. Milk and other dairy products and spicy foods can be especially irritating to your baby.
Most medications also pass into your breast milk, so you should be sure that any medication that you take is safe while breast feeding.
It used to be belived that not all babies required vitamin supplements while breastfeeding, but new AAP recommendations state that exclusively breastfed infants should receive 200 IU of Vitamin D each day to prevent rickets beginning during the first two months of life.
Since infant formula is supplemented with Vitamin D, those children who drink at least 16-17 ounces a day of formula or Vitamin D fortified cow's milk, won't need an additional Vitamin D supplement.
After six months, your child may also need fluoride if you are living in an area where the local water supply does not contain any fluoride.
Your baby will also need additional iron supplements, which can be provided by feeding an iron fortified cereal when he is four to six months old.
If you are on a strict, restricted or vegetarian diet, then you should see your doctor about the need for additional vitamins. See our Guide to Vegan Diets for more information.
|
