Can Breastfeeding Moms Have it All?

By Shel Franco

Vitamins are fine to take, but there might not be any reason to do so, says Dwiggins. Most women can meet their daily requirements of vitamins and minerals by eating a balanced diet. If a women does decide to take a multi-vitamin, there are those specially formulated for nursing moms. It is also possible to continue taking prenatal vitamins for the duration of breastfeeding.

And herbs? Dwiggins admits that herbs can be beneficial to a breastfeeding mom. In fact, some women, like Yvette De Luca of Arizona, use herbs to increase their milk supply. Despite the benefits, Dwiggins warns that caution is necessary, as some herbs can be toxic. Before anything is taken, a woman should do extensive research or ask the opinion of an expert in lactation or herbal medicine.

While many things can be termed unhealthy, few have had the same intensely negative publicity that smoking recently has. The habit is bad for the smoker's health and the health of those around them. Still, many moms think the occasional cigarette on the back porch is the next best thing to quitting.

The truth is, the nicotine ingested by a nursing mom is present in her breastmilk. It can decrease milk supply and the lessen the fat content of her breastmilk, thereby affecting baby's weight gain, says Dwiggins. Of course, the best action is to quit. But until that day comes, Dwiggins suggests not smoking during feedings and waiting for as long as possible after having a cigarette to breastfeed.

When it comes to the relationship between foods, drinks and remedies and nursing, the bottom line is: "You do not have to eat perfectly in order to breastfeed," says Dwiggins. "Only in the most severe cases of malnutrition will mother's milk supply be affected. It is more important that [mom] eats right for herself. Breastfeeding doesn't have a lot of rules and is very doable."