Balanced Diet During Breastfeeding

Facts

• • During established breastfeeding your vitamin and mineral needs are up to double your usual requirements and your energy needs are more than during pregnancy. 
  • The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating developed by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) provides advice on the number of serves of foods from each of five healthy food groups that should be consumed by fully breastfeeding women to meet nutrient and energy needs.  
  • Recommended intakes of all food groups except dairy foods are increased during breastfeeding, with most emphasis on increasing fruit, vegetable and protein foods.

Recommended serves of food groups for women during exclusive breastfeeding

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Adapted from: Dietary Guidelines for Australian Adults and for Children and Adolescents in Australia (2003)

• • Your food requirements will begin to decrease once you start weaning your baby.

Tips

• • Keep a diary of what you usually eat and check this against the recommended serves.  Refer to the diary section in the King Edward Memorial Hospital BLOOM Pack 1 (external)
  • Be prepared to feel hungrier and more tired than usual because breastfeeding uses up more energy than pregnancy and you are caring for a baby day and night.

Learn more about other diet issues whilst breastfeeding:

• • Drink plenty of water
  • Avoid drinking alcohol
  • Monitor caffeine intake
  • Be careful of the mercury content of certain fish
  • Consider infant allergies
  • Avoid smoking
  • Managing healthy eating

>> Managing Healthy Eating >>

Go the Ngala Healthy You Healthy Baby App
Track your health and wellbeing during pregnancy and during the early stages of your child's life and receive tips on how to improve or maintain your health. 

Further Information

• • Nutrition
  • Weight
  • Emotions
  • Social Life
  • Sleep
  • Physical Activity

Parenting Workshops

• • Managing a Toddler and a Baby
  • You and Your New Baby
  • Skilled Dads
  • Sleep and Your Baby

Ngala Books & DVDs

• • Secrets of Good Sleepers Book
  • Secrets of Good Eaters Book
  • Building Brains for Young Children 0-3 Years DVD

For families of babies and young children who reside or work in W.A.,
if you need further assistance contact the Ngala Helpline
Telephone 9368 9368 or Country Access 1800 111 546
8am to 8pm 7 days a week or

or get support online via the My Ngala Forums

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