Your Diet – How It Affects Your Breastfeeding

The month of August is National Breastfeeding Month. For this reason, our team at Marietta OB-GYN is targeting our blogs to focus on breastfeeding. Our purpose is to educate, empower, and highlight this excellent source of nutrition that can lead to your baby’s healthy growth and development. We are often asked about a proper diet while breastfeeding.

How Your Body Produces Breast Milk

Your body is amazing. It has the incredible ability to produce breast milk from your mammary glands located in your breasts. These glands use the resources available in the form of nutrients from the foods you eat and from the nutrients stored in your body. If the foods you eat do not contain sufficient calories or nutrients to sustain you and your baby fully, your mammary glands will get the first opportunity to draw on the available nutrients. This is good news for your baby but can leave your body at a nutritional risk.

A Healthy Breastfeeding Diet

Healthline offers may tips on what to eat while breastfeeding. They suggest getting sufficient calories since your energy needs are increased by about 500 calories per day. You’ll need to ensure the foods you’re eating are rich in nutrients to fulfill your needs and your baby’s nutritional needs. Your doctor may recommend taking certain supplements while breastfeeding and always remember to drink plenty of water while you’re breastfeeding. The bottom line is to eat a variety of healthy and nutritious foods while breastfeeding.

Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A.

If you are looking for qualified, experienced Obstetricians call Marietta OB-GYN Affiliates, P.A. Our physicians and staff are committed to helping you achieve a healthy pregnancy and the care you will need from pre-pregnancy to post-partum. Call and book your appointment with us today.