Your health and nutrition
It’s important to eat well and stay healthy while breastfeeding – a healthy diet ensures perfect breast milk for your baby.
Check out the pages below to find out:
- How much exercise is best
- How to safely return to your pre-pregnancy weight
- What to do if you’re feeling exhausted.
Healthy eating and getting enough fluid
Breastfeeding women usually feel thirsty quite naturally. If a drink of water is close by during a breastfeed this may be exactly the time you feel like a drink.
Read the HealthEd resource Eating for Healthy Breastfeeding Women to find out:
- what foods are best for you
- how to make sure you’re getting enough to drink
-
how much coffee is safe for you and baby.
Find out more from the Ministry
In this section
- Going for a walk, a run or to the gym provides exercise, fresh air and a time to relax. Find out how much physical activity is good for you when breastfeeding. Read more
- If you want to lose your baby weight, it’s important not to rush it. Breastfeeding can help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight, but you need to eat well to breastfeed. Read more
- It’s not unusual to feel exhausted when you first start breastfeeding – particularly when you’re having to deal with visitors as well as a new baby. Here are some hints to help you get as much rest as you can. Read more
- If you’re feeling depressed or stressed, it’s important you have someone to talk to and that you get the support you need. Find out where to find help. Read more
Resources
Eating for Healthy Breastfeeding Women/Ngā Kai Totika Mā te Ūkaipō
Available from HealthEd.
When You Drink so Does Your Baby
Available from HealthEd.
Related websites
Better Health Channel
Health information from the Victorian (Australia) State Government.
FoodSmart
Information on safe food practices from the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.
Page last updated: 19 April 2012
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