What to eat when you’re breastfeeding

It’s no surprise that your energy and nutrition needs go up when you’re breastfeeding. Choose healthy foods and beverages to get the extra calories and nutrients you both need.

Check out these four tried-and-tested breastfeeding holds that help you both relax and encourage your baby to latch on well. Which one works best for you? 

Breast milk is nature’s perfection. Find out about four breast milk ingredients with special powers that do more than just feed your little one. 

Did you know that your breast milk changes to meet the needs of your baby? During the first few days after birth you will produce colostrum, a nutrient-rich milk, in small amounts, perfect for your baby’s tiny tummy. By the second week your breast milk will change to mature milk to meet your baby’s growing needs.

By Dr. Ted Jablonski, family physician

Can you identify which of these responsive feeding principles are fact and which ones are fiction?

Breast milk helps both moms and babies.

Did you know? Your breasts make just the right amount of breast milk for your baby. 

Yes, it seems like another pregnancy miracle, but it’s true—your body produces the perfect baby food: Breast milk. For starters, learn as much as you can even before baby arrives (it’s an ideal part of you being prepared to breastfeed)—and follow this guide! You’ll be aware of common challenges and feel ready to get this wonderful bonding experience off to a good start for both you and your baby.

Now you’ve mastered breastfeeding in the comfort of your own home, it’s time to get out and about!  

Breastfeeding exclusively for the first six months, and sustained for up to two years or longer with appropriate complementary feeding is important for the nutrition, immunologic protection, growth, and development of infants and toddlers and has many benefits for you as well.

Take action with these tips to try.

Breast milk contains the right quantity and quality of proteins to boost your baby’s growth and health—both now and in the future. 

Did you know? Getting your baby into good sleep habits now can affect their sleep as they grow up. 

With so much information on breastfeeding out there, can you separate the fact from the fiction? Put your knowledge to the test with our quick quiz. Don’t forget to complete the quiz to move on to the next article.

Depending on their level of hunger, your baby’s cues may become very obvious to you. The longer their hunger cues go unanswered, though, the more vocal and focused they will be to communicate that they're hungry.

Did you know? Your baby was born with the natural ability to eat when they’re hungry and stop when they’re full.

Meeting your baby’s protein needs in the crucial first 1000 days is important. Fortunately, breast milk has the right amount of protein for your baby. 

Everything you need to know about breastfeeding in four steps.