After childbirth, it is essential to have a balanced diet to:

• Replenish body stores for future pregnancies and long-term health
• Help with weight management
• Overcome any specific postnatal problems, e.g., Constipation, anemia
• Help meet  additional nutritional requirements of breastfeeding

Most women will have the capacity to produce more breast milk than is required. The mother’s body will meet any increased demand from the infant by increased production.

In well-nourished women, if the dietary intake of nutrients is inadequate to meet the breastfeeding requirements, the mother’s body will generally supply all the nutrients. However, even in well-nourished women, there are some nutrients where the content in breast milk is more dependent on dietary intake because the body cannot store some vitamins.

 Therefore women mustn't restrict their diet to the three main food groups.

Women have an increased need for energy, protein, and most vitamins and minerals during breastfeeding. Women need approximately 500 extra calories per day to meet the demands of breastfeeding by eating a balanced, varied diet and eating to appetite.

There is no need to “eat for two” during breastfeeding.The woman's body can satisfy the increased energy requirements from fat stores gained during pregnancy and changes in metabolic rate.

Particular attention needs to be paid to the following nutrients and foods when  breastfeeding:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin D
• Fluids
• Omega 3

Women who need to lose weight after pregnancy should be encouraged to breastfeed. They should be reassured that gradually losing excess weight by eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly in moderate-intensity will not affect their breast milk quantity or quality.

Breastfeeding women should avoid any overly restrictive or extreme diets for weight loss as these can compromise nutrient intake, resulting in maternal stress, fatigue and affecting milk production.