A balanced diet maintains the quality of your milk. It is important to eat a variety of foods and include some iron-rich foods, as well as low fat dairy products for their calcium content.
Drink plenty of water - don’t hesitate to drink 2 litres of water a day!
Some mothers are told to avoid certain foods as they can affect the flavour of the milk. If you feel that this is a problem, eliminate the particular food and see if it makes a difference. However, before cutting out a whole food group, get advice from an Accredited Practising Dietitian.
Some substances such as recreational drugs and tobacco should be avoided because their effects are transferred to your milk.
Heavy, frequent consumption of alcohol can affect your baby, so if you have an occasional drink, have it after a feed.
Only about 1% of caffeine is absorbed into human milk, but large amounts of caffeine-based beverages can cause sleeplessness and irritability in your infant. Ask your doctor before taking any medication, since they can be passed onto your baby via your milk.