Fruits, beneficial in breastfeeding

Breastfeeding provides a host of benefits for both mother and baby. Breast milk provides babies with all the nutrients and antibodies they need, which can help fight off some common infant illnesses. Breastfeeding can lower a woman's risk of developing type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression. Consuming nutrient-rich foods like fruits may further improve the quality and production of breast milk.

Nursing mothers should consume 2 to 4 servings of fruit daily. Two of these fruit servings should be high in vitamin C and folic acid, and one in vitamin A. Rich sources of nutrients that nursing mothers need include cantaloupe, honeydew melon, mangoes, oranges, apricots, grapefruit, peaches, berries, bananas, apples, pears, kiwi, and guava. Be aware of your baby's reaction to citrus fruits, as these types of fruits may cause your baby to have an upset stomach. Highly allergenic food sources, like strawberries and peanuts, may be passed into breast milk, which can increase your baby's chance to develop an allergy to the food later in life. If you have questions or concerns about food allergies, speak with your doctor or the child's pediatrician.

Make photos of Mom eating fruits. Write what fruits you eat while breastfeeding and your baby's reaction to them.