Diet

Eating for mum

• Avoid large amounts of caffeine as this may make your baby unsettled. Remember some soft drinks and energy drinks can contain a lot of caffiene, not just tea and coffee
  
• Try to eat a healthy and varied diet, including plenty of fruit, vegetables, starchy foods such as bread and pasta, and plenty of fibre, protein and dairy foods
  
• Remember to drink lots of water as breastfeeding can make you feel thirsty. Also if you don’t drink enough fluids, you may get constipation
  
• Avoid fatty and sugary foods
  
• Limit the amount of shark, swordfish and marlin to one portion per week because of mercury levels in the fish
  
• If you would like to eat peanuts or foods containing peanuts (such as peanut butter) while breastfeeding, you can choose to do so as part of a healthy balanced diet, unless you yourself are allergic to them or your health professional advised you not to. (You may have heard about previous advice to avoid eating peanuts or foods containing peanuts while breastfeeding, if there was a history of allergy in the child's immediate family (such as eczema, hayfever, food allergy or other types of allergy). This has now changed because the latest research has shown that there is no clear evidence to say that this will reduce the chances of your child developing a peanut allergy).
  
• Vitamin supplements are a good idea, especially vitamin D. If you receive Income Support or Jobseekers Allowance, you’re entitled to free vitamin A, C and D supplements from maternity and child health clinics through the Health Start Scheme

For more advice on what to eat while breastfeeding contact the Foodline on 0845 278 8878 or visit the Food Standards Agency website: www.food.gov.uk

Women on certain benefits may be eligible for Healthy Start. More information is available on the Healthy Start website: www.healthystart.nhs.uk or from your midwife or health visitor.

Alcohol and breastfeeding

When you drink, small amounts of alcohol go into your breast milk. Therefore it’s important to limit the amount of alcohol you drink to no more than 1-2 units once or twice a week. Drinking more than this can affect your baby. If you are going to have a drink, have it after the last feed of the day or express milk beforehand to feed to your baby later.

Smoking

If you or your partner smokes, breastmilk is still the healthiest option for you and your baby. However, nicotine does reach breastmilk and can reduce milk supply and make you more prone to mastitis. Stopping smoking is a good idea for you and your baby and anytime is a good time to try. Why not contact Smokeline on 0800 84 84 84 for help? The staff is specially trained to help new mothers.

Drugs

Prescribed and over-the-counter medications can affect breastfeeding. Tell your doctor you are breastfeeding if you are prescribed medication, and ask the pharmacist's advice if you're buying medications like painkillers or cold remedies. Antidepressant medication for postnatal depression will not usually affect your milk.

If you use illegal drugs, you can be referred for specialist help. If you're told there is a risk your baby might suffer withdrawal symptoms, it can be really helpful to your baby to breastfeed. Ask to speak to health professionals who have experience helping mothers with these issues so you can make the best possible choices.

You can also call the Know the Score free on 0800 587 5879.