FRIDAY, April 17, 2015 (HealthDay News) -- Eating healthy foods while you're breast-feeding will help you and your baby get the nutrients both of you need, experts say.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reminds new mothers that breast-feeding provides many health benefits for infants, including protection against infection and illness.
It advises breast-feeding mothers to eat a variety of vegetables and fruits; seafood, lean meats, poultry, eggs, beans and nuts; and low-fat or fat-free milk, or soy products with added calcium. Other recommended foods include brown rice, 100 percent whole-wheat bread and other whole grains, and fortified cereals with added iron and folic acid.
Some other breast-feeding tips from the HHS follow:
Most breast-feeding women can get all the nutrients they need by eating healthy foods. If you think you're not getting enough nutrients, talk to your doctor about taking a multivitamin, the agency added.
More information
The American Academy of Pediatrics has more about diet and breast-feeding.