A healthy and balanced diet

In the first 4-6 months of life, newborns double their weight and those who are breastfed take all the nourishment from their mother, which is why the nutritional requirement of women in this phase of life is higher than normal and requires an additional caloric intake between 350 and 500 calories a day .

Feeding during breastfeeding should be as varied and balanced as possible and contain cereals, protein-rich foods, seasonal fruits and vegetables .

There are several false myths around breastfeeding and one of them is about nutrition. It is said, in fact, that there are foods that can favor the production of milk: it is not so. There are no foods that, individually, increase the amount of milk available; the power supply must be as balanced and varied as possible. Even proper hydration helps. However, there are foods that can give the milk an unpleasant taste, for example asparagus, artichokes and onions. In any case, before eliminating them completely, it is advisable to do some tests to test the liking of the baby. There are also foods that give the milk a more pleasant taste, such as fennel.

The foods to limit and the behaviors to avoid

Feeding during breastfeeding should be as careful as possible. It is advisable, for example, to limit the consumption of caffeinated beverages. It is also advisable to avoid foods that can cause allergies, for example strawberries, crustaceans and chocolate, especially in the first months of life of the newborn and if there are cases of allergic people in the family.

Alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are very important, very harmful for the newborn.

Finally, it is very important to pay attention to taking medications, including natural remedies. Therefore, before taking a medicine, always seek medical advice.