For Breastfeeding Moms

Breastfeeding is a special gift only you can give your baby.

  • Continue to eat a variety of foods each day from the Food Guide Pyramid. While you are breastfeeding, eat at least the following number of servings each day:

    image mother breastfeeding infant3 servings from the milk group
    2 to 3 servings from the meat group (at least 6 ounces a day)
    4 servings from the vegetable group
    3 servings from the fruit group
    9 servings from the bread group

  • It's important for all women of childbearing age including breastfeeding women to consume extra amounts of a B vitamin called folate. Adequate folate intake during the several weeks before conception as well as during the first 4 weeks of pregnancy may help prevent birth defects of the brain and spinal cord.
  • You don't need to stop eating certain foods such as "gassy" or spicy foods unless they seem to bother your baby. If you feel your baby is reacting to something you ate, try avoiding that food for a few days and then reintroducing it into your diet. If the symptoms improve when you avoid a food and get worse when you begin eating it again, you may want to avoid that food while you're breastfeeding. Remember that mothers from many cultures eat many different foods and breastfeed their babies successfully. Babies may be fussy for many reasons unrelated to breastfeeding.
  • Alcohol passes into your breastmilk and can interfere with successful breastfeeding. It's best to limit alcohol to no more than 1 drink on a special occasion.
  • Most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding -- check with your health care provider to be sure about any over-the-counter or prescribed medicines you are taking.
  • Try to drink caffeine-free beverages or limit regular coffee, tea, soda or cocoa to a total of 1 to 2 cups a day. Drink enough other fluids such as milk, fruit juice, or water to satisfy your thirst and your nutritional needs.
  • Contact a Breastfeeding Specialist in your local hospital, physician's office, WIC Program or health department if you have questions or need help with breastfeeding.

E-Mail: wic@dhmh.state.md.us