Nutrition

Your nutritional needs are different now that your baby is born compared to when you were pregnant. Health Canada recommends people who are chestfeeding/breastfeeding eat an extra 2-3 food guide servings per day. Eating a variety of healthy foods when you are nursing is good for both you and your baby. It is also recommended to take vitamins and supplements to ensure healthy calcium, folic acid, and iron levels. A multivitamin with folic acid is often suggested.

There are also some foods you may want to avoid or limit your intake of. If you are nursing, you and your baby are at more risk for the harmful effects of consuming mercury in fish. You may also want to limit your caffeine intake. It's healthy for you to eat a wide range of foods while you are nursing. If you suspect something you or your baby are eating is causing your baby to have colic symptoms, consult your healthcare provider before restricting foods. 

For more information on nutrition after pregnancy, choosing healthy foods, vitamins and supplements, weight loss and understanding infant colic in relation to your health habits, please see the resources below.

• Association of Ontario Midwives - Iron deficiency anemia and you (Also available in Spanish, Arabic, Farsi, and Simplified Chinese)

  ---

• Pregnancy Info - Nutrition for Breastfeeding Women

  ---

• Canada's food guide - Healthy eating when pregnant and nursing

  ---

• UnlockFood.ca - How to Make Healthy Choices While Breastfeeding