A nutritious, balanced diet helps you stay energetic and make plenty of milk for your baby.

Just like when you are pregnant, it's best to eat a nutritious, balanced diet while breastfeeding. Be sure to eat and drink to satisfy your hunger and thirst.

HEALTHY EATING WHILE BREASTFEEDING

Making healthy food choices—along with regular physical activity—will keep you healthy while you breastfeed. Choose a variety of foods and beverages to build your own healthy eating style. Include foods from all food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein foods.

Try to:

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Move to low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheese.
• Vary your proteins.

You need more fluids while you are breastfeeding. Be sure to drink enough water to quench your thirst.

Tell your doctor about any supplements you are taking. Ask if you or your baby need a multivitamin or mineral supplement, particularly vitamin D and iron.

It's important to focus on eating healthy, rather than losing baby weight, while you're breastfeeding. Slow weight loss over several months is safest.

BABY MAY REACT TO FOODS YOU EAT

Babies love the flavors of foods that come through your milk. Sometimes a baby may be sensitive to something you eat, such as eggs or dairy products like milk and cheese. Watch your baby for the symptoms listed below, which could mean that your baby has an allergy or sensitivity to something you eat:

• Diarrhea, vomiting, green stools with mucus or blood,
• Rash, eczema, dermatitis, hives, dry skin,
• Fussing during and/or after feedings,
• Crying for long periods,
• Sudden waking with discomfort, or
• Wheezing or coughing.

These signs do not mean your baby is allergic to your milk, only to something that you ate. You may need to stop eating whatever is bothering your baby or eat less of it. You may find that after a few months you can eat the food again with better results.

Talk with your baby's doctor if your baby has any of the symptoms listed above. If your baby ever has problems breathing, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.

THINGS TO LIMIT OR AVOID

Like when you were pregnant, there are things you should limit or avoid while you are breastfeeding to keep your baby happy and healthy.

Limit caffeine. Drinking a small amount of coffee (up to 2 cups a day) or other drinks with caffeine is okay while breastfeeding. Too much caffeine can make your baby fussy or keep baby awake.

Avoid alcohol. It's best to avoid alcohol while you are breastfeeding. If you choose to drink, you may have a single alcoholic drink once in a while if your baby's breastfeeding routine is well established-and if your baby is at least 3 months old. Then, wait at least 4 hours after having a drink before breastfeeding.

Avoid smoking, drugs, and other medications. Talk to your doctor before taking any medicine (both over-the-counter and prescription) or dietary supplements.

Breastfeeding, also called nursing, is the process of feeding a mother's breast milk to her infant, either directly from the breast or by expressing (pumping out) the milk from the breast and bottle-feeding it to the infant. Breastfeeding and breast milk provide an infant with calories and nutrients, including macronutrients (fat, protein, and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals).

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Policy Statement on Breastfeeding, women who don't have health problems should exclusively breastfeed their infants for at least the first 6 months after birth.

The AAP suggests that, if possible, a woman should try to continue breastfeeding her infant for up to 12 months, while adding other foods, because of the benefits to both the mother and the infant.

Although breastfeeding is the recommended method for feeding infants, and breast milk provides most of the nutrients an infant needs, it does not provide infants with adequate vitamin D. The current recommended daily vitamin D intake for infants and children is available on the American Academy of Pediatrics website.

To eat healthy while breastfeeding:

• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. A common suggestion is to drink a glass of water or other beverage every time you breastfeed.
• Limit drinks with added sugars, such as sodas and fruit drinks.
• Drinking a moderate amount (up to 2 cups a day) of coffee or other caffeinated beverages does not cause a problem for most breastfeeding babies. But too much caffeine can make a baby fussy or have trouble sleeping.
• Some breastfeeding women may need a multivitamin and mineral supplement. Talk with your doctor to find out whether you need a supplement. Your doctor may recommend that you continue taking your prenatal vitamin while breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has many benefits for moms and babies. For example, breastfeeding can:

• Help protect your baby from infections and illnesses, like ear infections and asthma
• Lower your risk of some diseases like type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer

Making healthy food choices while you're breastfeeding will help you and your baby get the nutrients you both need.

Try to get most of the nutrients you need by following a healthy eating routine. Ask your doctor if you need to take a daily supplement (like a multivitamin) to get enough of nutrients.

Follow a healthy eating routine.

To get the nutrients you need while breastfeeding, follow a healthy eating routine. Choose a mix of healthy foods you enjoy from each food group, including:

• Whole fruits — like apples, berries, oranges, mango, and bananas
• Veggies — like broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets, okra, spinach, peppers, and jicama
• Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread
• Proteins — like lean meats and chicken, eggs, seafood, beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, and tofu
• Low-fat or fat-free dairy — like milk, yogurt, cheese, lactose-free dairy, and fortified soy beverages (soy milk) or soy yogurt
• Oils — like vegetable oil, olive oil, and oils in foods like seafood, avocado, and nuts

Check the Nutrition Facts label and choose foods and drinks with less added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium (salt). Learn more about eating healthy.

Get the right amount of calories for you.

You need more calories while you’re breastfeeding than you did before you were pregnant. Work with your doctor to find a healthy eating routine that works for you.

Eat 8 to 12 ounces of seafood each week.

Fish and shellfish have healthy fats that are good for you and your baby. But some seafood is high in mercury, a metal that can hurt your baby’s development. It’s a good idea to eat seafood that’s high in healthy fats but lower in mercury.

Learn more about choosing fish that’s healthy and safe to eat.

Drink plenty of fluids.

Your body needs extra fluids when you’re breastfeeding to stay hydrated. Try drinking a glass of water or other healthy beverage every time you breastfeed.

Limit drinks with caffeine and added sugars.

• Ask your doctor if caffeine is safe for you. When you’re breastfeeding, it’s usually safe to have up to 300 milligrams of caffeine a day (the amount in about 3 cups of coffee) — but your doctor may recommend less.
• Limit drinks with added sugars like sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks.

Consider avoiding alcohol.

Not drinking alcohol is the safest option for breastfeeding mothers. If you’re thinking about drinking while breastfeeding, talk with your doctor first.

If you choose to drink alcohol, follow these safety tips.

• Drink only in moderation — for women, this means no more than 1 drink a day. In general, 1 drink is equal to a bottle of beer, a glass of wine, or a shot of liquor. But keep in mind that many drinks have much more alcohol than a standard serving. Learn more about what counts as a standard drink.
• If you’re going to have a drink, do it just after breastfeeding or pumping — not before.
• Wait at least 2 hours after having a drink to breastfeed or pump. This gives your body time to break down the alcohol so there will be less alcohol in your breast milk.

Make your health a priority during this special time.

Making healthy food choices and staying active will support your baby’s growth. This will also help you stay healthy during your pregnancy and while breastfeeding/ lactating.

Eat Healthy

• Healthy choices include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein foods, and low-fat or fat-free dairy milk or yogurt (or lactose-free dairy or fortified soy versions).
• Include a variety of protein foods such as seafood, lean meats, poultry, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, and eggs.
• Limit foods and beverages higher in added sugars, saturated fat, and sodium.

Should I eat seafood during pregnancy?
Eating seafood during pregnancy may help your baby's growth. Seafood is a healthy protein source for you during pregnancy and while breastfeeding/ lactating. Choose options lower in methylmercury, like cod, salmon, tilapia, or herring. 

Get Your Plan

You may have different calorie needs during pregnancy and while breastfeeding/ lactating. Work closely with your healthcare provider to learn the right eating plan for you.

Ask About Supplements

In addition to eating a healthy diet, your doctor may want you to take a prenatal supplement. This is to make sure you get enough of the vitamins and minerals that you need for a healthy pregnancy.  

After pregnancy, your need for some vitamins and minerals may decrease. Your doctor may advise you to switch to a multivitamin supplement while breastfeeding/ lactating. Talk to your healthcare provider about what is right for you.

Make Safe Choices

• Food Safety During Pregnancy
  You and your unborn child are at greater risk for the effects of foodborne illness (also called food poisoning). Keep food safe and follow safe food handling and cooking practices to lower your chance of getting a foodborne illness.
  • Make sure that seafood, meat, poultry, or eggs have been cooked to the recommended safe internal temperatures.
  • Avoid eating or drinking these items:
    • Unpasteurized (raw) juice or milk
    • Raw sprouts
    • Some soft cheeses made from unpasteurized milk
  • Reheat deli and luncheon meats and hot dogs to steaming hot or 165 °F.
• Food Allergies in Your Child
  Unless advised by your doctor, you do not have to restrict your food and drink choices during pregnancy or while breastfeeding/ lactating to keep your child from getting food allergies.
• Alcohol
  Pregnant women and women who may become pregnant should not drink alcohol. Drinks that have alcohol include beer, wine, liquor, mixed drinks, and malt beverages. No amount of alcohol is safe for your baby when you are pregnant. Talk with your doctor if you are thinking about drinking alcohol while you are breastfeeding/ lactating.
• Caffeine
  Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, and soda. Ask your healthcare provider about having caffeine during pregnancy and while you are breastfeeding/ lactating.

Making healthy food choices—along with regular physical activity—will keep you healthy while you breastfeed. Choose a variety of foods and beverages to build your own healthy eating style. Include foods from all food groups: fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, and protein foods.

Try to:

• Make half your plate fruits and vegetables.
• Make at least half your grains whole grains.
• Move to low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt, or cheese.
• Vary your proteins.

You need more fluids while you are breastfeeding. Be sure to drink enough water to quench your thirst.

Tell your doctor about any supplements you are taking. Ask if you or your baby need a multivitamin or mineral supplement, particularly vitamin D and iron.

It's important to focus on eating healthy, rather than losing baby weight, while you're breastfeeding. Slow weight loss over several months is safest.

Generally, women do not need to limit or avoid specific foods while breastfeeding. Mothers should be encouraged to eat a healthy and diverse diet. However, certain types of seafood should be consumed in a limited amount and some mothers may wish to restrict caffeine while breastfeeding.

Seafood:

Although fish remains an excellent source of protein and contains essential vitamins and minerals for breastfeeding women, some care must be taken in deciding on the amount and types of seafood to consume. Most fish contain some amount of mercury, which accumulates in fish flesh and can pass from mother to infant through breast milk. This can have adverse effects on the brain and nervous system of the breastfed infant.

Breastfeeding women (as well as pregnant women, women of childbearing age) should follow the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) advice about eating fish:

• Eat a variety of fish.
• If you eat fish caught by family or friends, check for fish advisories. If there is no advisory, eat only one serving and no other fish that week.
• Try to avoid eating the “Choices to Avoid” fish or feeding them to children. It is best to eat a variety of fish from the “Best Choices” and “Good Choices” categories on this chart.

For adults:

• 1 serving = 4 ounces of fish, measured before cooking. Eat 2 to 3 servings (between 8 and 12 ounces) of fish a week from the “Best Choices” list OR 1 serving (4 ounces) from the “Good Choices” list on this chart.

Mercury can be harmful to the brain and nervous system of any person exposed to too much of it over time. Thus, lower mercury fish are a good choice for everyone. Learn more about mercury exposure and breastfeeding.

Caffeine:

Caffeine passes from the mother to infant in small amounts through breast milk, but usually does not adversely affect the infant when the mother consumes low to moderate amounts (about 300 milligrams or less per day, which is about 2 to 3 cups of coffee). Irritability, poor sleeping patterns, fussiness, and jitteriness have been reported in infants of mothers with very high intakes of caffeine, about 10 cups of coffee or more per day.

If an infant appears to be more fussy or irritable after the mother consumes high amounts of caffeine, she should consider decreasing her intake. Preterm and younger newborn infants break down caffeine more slowly, so mothers of these infants might consider consuming even less caffeine.

Common dietary sources of caffeine include the following:

• Coffee.
• Sodas.
• Energy drinks.
• Tea.
• Chocolate.

Yes. Breastfeeding mothers generally need more calories to meet their nutritional needs while breastfeeding. An additional 330 to 400 kilocalories (kcal) per day is recommended for well-nourished breastfeeding mothers, compared with the amount they were consuming before pregnancy (approximately 2,000 to 2,800 kcal per day for breastfeeding women verses 1,600 to 2,400 kcal per day for moderately active, non-pregnant women who are not breastfeeding). The number of additional calories needed for an individual breastfeeding woman is also affected by her age, body mass index, activity level, and extent of breastfeeding (exclusively breastfeeding verses breastfeeding and formula feeding). The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) Calculator for Healthcare Professionals can be used to estimate calorie needs based on sex, age, height, weight, activity level, and pregnancy and lactation status.

Maybe. Continued use of a prenatal vitamin postpartum may exceed the iron and folic acid needs of a breastfeeding mother. However, some people, such as those with vegetarian and vegan diets, may not get adequate nutrients through their diet alone and may be at greater risk for nutritional deficiencies. In addition, the recommended dietary allowances (RDAs) (the average amount of a vitamin or mineral that meets the daily nutrient needs of nearly all healthy people) for some nutrients (such as iodine and choline) increase while breastfeeding; therefore, it is possible that diet alone may not be sufficient to ensure adequate nutrition for women who are breastfeeding. In these cases, breastfeeding mothers may benefit from taking a multivitamin supplement. Health care providers should work with lactating women to determine appropriate dietary supplements during lactation.

Yes. A mother’s need for iodine and choline increases during lactation. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend lactating parents consume 290 mcg of iodine and 550mg of choline daily throughout the first year postpartum. Iodine can be found in dairy products, eggs, seafood, or in iodized table salt. Choline can be found in dairy and protein food groups, such as eggs, meats, some seafood, beans, peas, and lentils. Health care providers should work with lactating mothers to determine if they need an iodine or choline supplement to achieve adequate intake.

Yes. Breastfed infants of women who do not consume any animal products may have very limited amounts of vitamin B12 in their bodies. These low amounts of vitamin B12 can put their infants at risk of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can result in neurological damage. Iron may also be of concern as plant source foods only contain non-heme iron, which is less bioavailable than heme iron. The American Dietetic Association recommends vitamin B12 supplementation during pregnancy and while breastfeeding for mothers who eat vegan or vegetarian diets. Health care providers should work with lactating individuals eating a vegetarian or vegan diet to determine if they also need supplementation of iron and other nutrients such as choline, zinc, iodine, or omega-3 fats (EPA/DHA).

Infants need vitamin B12 for supporting brain development and producing healthy red blood cells. Infants who do not get adequate vitamin B12 can become deficient. If left untreated, vitamin B12 deficiency in infants can lead to permanent brain damage. Vitamin B12 is found in foods from animals, primarily meat, fish, milk and milk products, and eggs; therefore infants of mothers who consume a vegetarian or vegan diet may be at risk for vitamin B12 deficiency.

Do infants get enough B12 from breast milk?

Usually. Vitamin B12 is transferred through the placenta to the fetus during pregnancy and through breast milk after birth. Infants who drink breast milk from a mother who consumes adequate amounts of vitamin B12 or infants who drink infant formula, will receive enough vitamin B12. However, if a breastfeeding mother is deficient in vitamin B12, her infant may also become deficient.

Vitamin B12 is most commonly found in foods from animals; therefore, infants who only receive breast milk from mothers who consume no animal products are at greater risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency shortly after birth. Breastfeeding mothers on a strict vegetarian or vegan diet should consult their healthcare provider about taking a supplement that contains the appropriate amount of vitamin B12.

Breastfeeding mothers who have had a malabsorptive bariatric procedure (such as gastric bypass surgery), who have pernicious anemia (low number of red blood cells caused by a deficiency of vitamin B12), or who have certain gastrointestinal disorders, may not be able to absorb various vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin B12, folic acid (vitamin B9), iron, and calcium. Healthcare providers should monitor these mothers for nutrient deficiencies, including vitamin B12 deficiency.

Immune system changes in pregnant women place the women themselves, their unborn children, and their newborns at increased risk of foodborne illness. These illnesses can be worse during pregnancy and may lead to miscarriage or premature delivery. Some foodborne illnesses, such as Listeria and Toxoplasma gondii, can infect the fetus even if the mother does not feel sick. This is why doctors provide pregnant women with specific guidelines about foods that they should and should not eat.

Advice Regarding Seafood

Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant—as well as breastfeeding mothers and parents of young children – should make informed choices when it comes to seafood. Fish is one source of high quality protein, minerals, and vitamins that are beneficial to overall health. However, it is important to choose fish that are safe to eat and offer health benefits. Follow FDA and EPA’s advice on eating fish by using this chart and a set of frequently asked questions and answers to choose healthy and safe options.

Cook seafood thoroughly: All seafood dishes should be cooked to 145°F. Raw seafood may contain parasites or bacteria, including Listeria, that can make pregnant women ill and could potentially harm their babies. This means that you should avoid:

• Sushi
• Sashimi
• Raw Oysters
• Raw Clams
• Raw Scallops
• Ceviche

Take care with smoked seafood: Refrigerated smoked seafood presents a very real threat of Listeria. Don’t eat refrigerated smoked seafood unless it’s in a cooked dish, such as a casserole, that reaches an internal temperature of 165°F to kill harmful germs.

Refrigerated smoked seafood, such as salmon, trout, whitefish, cod, tuna, or mackerel, are often labeled as:

• Nova-style
• Lox
• Kippered
• Smoked
• Jerky

It is OK to eat smoked seafood during pregnancy if it is canned, shelf stable or an ingredient in a casserole or other cooked dish.

Don’t Drink Unpasteurized Juice or Cider

Unpasteurized juice, even fresh-squeezed juice, and cider can cause foodborne illness. These beverages have been linked to outbreaks caused by E. coli and other harmful germs. To prevent infection, either choose a pasteurized version or bring unpasteurized juice or cider to a rolling boil and boil for at least 1 minute before drinking.

Avoid Raw Milk, Raw Milk Soft Cheeses, and Other Raw Milk Products

Raw milk is milk from any animal that has not been pasteurized to kill harmful bacteria. Raw milk, also called unpasteurized milk, may contain bacteria such as Campylobacter, E. coli, Listeria, Salmonella or the bacteria that causes tuberculosis. To avoid getting these foodborne illnesses, only consume pasteurized milk and milk products, including cheese.

Don’t eat the soft cheeses listed below unless they’re made with pasteurized milk. Make sure the label says “made with pasteurized milk.”

• Brie
• Feta
• Camembert
• Roquefort
• Queso blanco
• Queso fresco

Cheese made with unpasteurized milk may contain E. coli or Listeria. Instead of eating soft cheese, eat hard cheese such as Cheddar or Swiss.

Pregnant woman should pay particular attention at farmers’ markets to make sure that fresh and soft cheeses are pasteurized.

Cook Eggs Thoroughly

Undercooked eggs may contain Salmonella. Cook eggs until the yolks and whites are firm to kill germs. If you are making a casserole or other dish containing eggs, make sure the dish is cooked to a temperature of 160°F. Make sure that foods that contain raw or lightly cooked eggs are made only with pasteurized eggs. Do not eat foods that may contain raw eggs, such as:

• Homemade eggnog
• Raw batter
• Homemade Caesar salad dressing
• Tiramisu
• Eggs Benedict
• Homemade ice cream
• Freshly made or homemade hollandaise sauce

Don’t Eat Premade Meat or Seafood Salad (Such as Deli Chicken or Tuna Salads)

Don’t buy or eat premade ham salad, chicken salad, or seafood salad which may contain Listeria. These items are commonly found in delis.

Do Not Eat Raw Sprouts

Raw or undercooked sprouts, such as alfalfa, clover, mung bean, and radish may contain E. coli or Salmonella. Cook sprouts thoroughly.

Avoid Undercooked Meat and Poultry

All meat and poultry should be thoroughly cooked before eating. A food thermometer should be used to ensure that the meat has reached the USDA-recommended safe minimum internal temperature. Visit minimum cooking temperatures for specific details.

Following the minimum recommend internal temperature is important because meat and poultry may contain E. coli, Salmonella, Campylobacter, or Toxoplasma gondii.

CDC recommends the following preventive measures to reduce the risk of contracting toxoplasmosis from eating meat:

• Cook meat to the USDA-recommended minimum safe internal temperature.
• Freeze meat for several days at sub-zero (0 °F) temperatures before cooking to greatly reduce chance of infection.
• Wash cutting boards, dishes, counters and utensils with hot, soapy water after contact with raw meat, poultry, seafood, or unwashed fruits or vegetables.
• Wash hands with soap and water.

Reheat Hot Dogs and Luncheon Meats

Reheat these meats to steaming hot or 165°F before eating, even though the label says precooked. These meat items may contain Listeria and are unsafe to eat if they have not been thoroughly reheated.

• Hot dogs
• Luncheon (deli) meats
• Cold cuts
• Fermented or dry sausage
• Any other deli-style meat and poultry

Be Selective with Meat Spreads or Pâté

Do not eat refrigerated pâtés or meat spreads from a deli or meat counter, or from the refrigerated section of a store. They can contain Listeria. Meat spreads and pâté that do not need refrigeration before opening, such as products in cans, jars, or sealed pouches, are a safer choice. Refrigerate these foods after opening.

Don’t Eat Raw Dough

Unbaked (raw) dough or batter can make you sick. Flour hasn’t been treated to kill germs like E. coli. Raw eggs can contain Salmonella. Make sure batter is thoroughly baked or cooked before eating.

Limit or avoid smoking, most drugs, and alcohol for baby’s health and yours.

Many moms ask how smoking, drugs, and alcohol affect breastfeeding. When you are breastfeeding, you should avoid or try to limit smoking, most drugs, and alcohol. That will ensure the best health for you and your baby.

If you have questions or concerns about smoking, drugs, or alcohol and breastfeeding, speak with your doctor.

CAN I DRINK ALCOHOL WHILE BREASTFEEDING?

It's best to avoid alcohol while you are breastfeeding. Alcohol can enter your breast milk, and it can cause you to make less milk. If you choose to drink, you may have a single alcoholic drink once in a while if your baby's breastfeeding routine is well established—and your baby is at least 3 months old. Then, be sure to wait at least 4 hours before nursing. You can also express milk before you drink to feed your baby later. It's best to talk with your doctor before drinking alcohol.

CAN I TAKE MEDICINES IF I AM BREASTFEEDING?

You can take certain medicines while breastfeeding, but not all. Almost all medicines pass into your milk in small amounts. Some have no effect on your baby and can be used while breastfeeding.

Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist about medicines you are using and ask before you start using new medicines. This includes prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements. For some women with chronic health problems, stopping a medicine can be more dangerous than the effects it will have on the breastfed baby.

IS IT OKAY TO GET HIGH (USE STREET AND PRESCRIPTION DRUGS) WHEN BREASTFEEDING?

While breastfeeding, it is important to stay drug-free. Anything that gets you high can harm your baby and can pass to your baby through your breast milk. Avoid using marijuana, crack, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, meth, and other street drugs.

Misusing prescription drugs can also harm your baby. This includes taking your own prescription drugs in a way not intended by your doctor and taking a prescription drug meant for someone else. Taking drugs while breastfeeding could make your baby have seizures, vomit, and have trouble feeding.

Drug use can also impact your family in many ways. It may be linked with poor parenting, child neglect, and abuse. Parents with drug use disorders may not be able to care for their children well.

If you are taking drugs, speak with your doctor or find a treatment center right away to get help. Stopping drugs suddenly without a doctor's help can cause serious withdrawal and health problems for you and your baby.

IS IT SAFE TO SMOKE TOBACCO CIGARETTES WHILE BREASTFEEDING?

If you smoke, it is best for you and your baby if you quit as soon as possible. Smoking can cause low milk supply, colic, and milk let-down issues.

If you do continue to smoke, you should still breastfeed. Your milk can protect your baby from breathing problems, sudden infant death (SIDS), and poor weight gain. Wait as much time as possible between smoking and breastfeeding. This will lower the amount of nicotine in your milk while nursing.

Be sure to smoke away from your baby and change your clothes to keep your baby away from the chemicals smoking leaves behind. Other people smoking around your baby (secondhand smoke) can also harm your baby's health.

Electronic cigarettes, also known as "e-cigarettes," "e-cigs," "vapes," or "vape pens," may also harm your baby's health. These devices deliver nicotine, flavorings, and other additives through an inhaled aerosol. There is limited research about the safety and health effects of e-cigarettes.

Ask your doctor for advice on quitting smoking.

Babies love the flavors of foods that come through your milk. Sometimes a baby may be sensitive to something you eat, such as eggs or dairy products like milk and cheese. Watch your baby for the symptoms listed below, which could mean that your baby has an allergy or sensitivity to something you eat:

• Diarrhea, vomiting, green stools with mucus or blood,
• Rash, eczema, dermatitis, hives, dry skin,
• Fussing during and/or after feedings,
• Crying for long periods,
• Sudden waking with discomfort, or
• Wheezing or coughing.

These signs do not mean your baby is allergic to your milk, only to something that you ate. You may need to stop eating whatever is bothering your baby or eat less of it. You may find that after a few months you can eat the food again with better results.

Talk with your baby's doctor if your baby has any of the symptoms listed above. If your baby ever has problems breathing, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.