How Much Water Do Nursing Mothers Need to Drink?

Nursing your baby is a rewarding experience for both of you, but it requires your body to work harder to make the breast milk. Not only do you have to eat a well-balanced diet to keep up with your body̵7;s needs, you must also make sure you get enough water to drink. Getting the correct amount of fluids each day will keep you body hydrated, working efficiently and producing enough milk for your little one.

  1. Amount

    • Getting the correct amount of water throughout the day is vital to keep up your health while your body works extra hard to produce milk for your baby. According to the University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Medical Center, nursing mothers should get at least eight glasses of water per day. If you exercise or the weather is on the warm side, you should drink more to make up for the amount you sweat out.

    When to Drink

    • You don̵7;t want to drink all of this water at once; you should spread out the eight glasses throughout the day. It is best to drink when you feel thirsty. You may notice that you become thirstier when you̵7;re nursing. The Franciscan Health System suggests having a glass of water or juice nearby while you are feeding your baby and take sips throughout the feeding.

    Water Alternatives

    • You don̵7;t have to stick to just plain water to get the right amount of liquid in your diet. You can squeeze a lemon or lime slice into the water to make it more palatable. The UCSF Medical Center points out that you can get additional water through milk, broths, herbal teas and soups. A 100-percent juice, such as orange juice, can help you reach your required liquid intake, too. Just keep in mind that juice contains sugar and extra calories, so don̵7;t just guzzle eight glasses of the stuff in one day.

    Dehydration

    • If you don̵7;t get enough water, you may suffer some unpleasant side effects. You may become dehydrated if you don̵7;t drink enough water because you̵7;re losing your body̵7;s water through breastfeeding, normal body functioning, digestion, sweat and even though your breath. If you become dehydrated, you may experience headaches, fatigue, dry skin, constipation, dizziness or extreme thirst, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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