Congratulations on your new baby!  If you have chosen to breastfeed, the nurses in the hospital should have shown you how to nurse your baby and help you choose a position that is most comfortable for you. Most woman are able to breastfeed without complications, although it often takes a few weeks for both you and your baby to be comfortable and figure out what and how it is best for both of you. One thing they don't usually tell you in the hospital is what foods to eat to make the breast milk richer.

By now, I am sure you know that drinking coffee and eating chocolate is not good for your breast milk or your baby. In the very beginning many foods that you maybe used to eating may bother the baby. Foods like raw cabbage, peas, any kind of peppers, cucumbers, milk and some other foods may cause the baby to have gas or colic.  Of course, It is  important to eat vegetables and fruits as your body is in great needs of vitamins and minerals which these foods contain. Unfortunately your baby's little stomach will not be very happy with them, but there is away to eat the vegetables and keep the baby happy.

Here are some foods that I found are very good for the breast milk and keep the baby calm:

My number one food would have to be almonds: Almonds contain a lot of calcium which as a nursing mother you need the more the better. They are also very high in calories and do not cause irritability in children, but do wonders for your breast milk.

Avocado: This wonderful fruit is full of vitamins. Make an avocado salad for lunch or have it a snack. Avocados are high in fat, but that fat is not bad. This fat will help enrich your breast milk.

Soups: I have mentioned before that some vegetables may irritate your baby's stomach. One way to introduce the vegetables is through soups. Cooked vegetables most of the time don't cause gases in babies or at least not as bad as a raw vegetable. Soups are very satisfying and is a good way for you to get the vitamins that you so much need and to give them to your baby. I use frozen fresh vegetable mix for a quick soup. Chicken soup is also very good. It is high in fat and many other nutrient that greatly enrich your breast milk as well as help with the production of it.

I personally have never tried it, but they say that a certian kind of beer enriches breast milk.   It's common for German mothers to drink stout beer to enhance their breastmilk, though I'm not sure the amount they usually drink.  My guess is that because it is very high in calories and fat it makes the breast milk richer. If you are a beer lover, you may want to do some research into what kind of stout beer to drink and how much. Check in with your doctor as well before drinking any alcohol while nursing. Don't go overboard! If you notice anything abnormal as with any other food stop eating immediately.

Meat and chicken: Eating meat and chicken will greatly increase your milk supply and of course make it more satisfying. Meat and chicken contain many nutrient that our bodies need and give us strength. Making meat as part of at least one of your meals is very important and will be a great benefit to your baby.

Oatmeal is also a great milk enhancer: Oatmeal is easy to make and can be a great snack after a feeding. A warm bowl of oatmeal with margarine or milk, a bit of salt and sugar will keep you feeling full and give you strength. Oatmeal contains many vitamins and is good for the heart. All these vitamins will be a great benefit to your breast milk and to you. Make oatmeal your choice for breakfast or any time you are hungry (instead of reaching for that chocolate bar).

In the evening, to calm your baby for the night and to help them sleep longer, I recommend tea: A cup of hot tea is a great quick way to produce good milk. Most tea's contain a lot of vitamins and are very good for you and the baby. Drinking Chamomile or Sleepy Time tea may help your baby sleep longer which will let your sleep longer too.

I hope the above information will help all breastfeeding mothers. Enjoy your babies, they grow up too fast.

 Want to learn more about breastfeeding? I recommend The Breastfeeding Bible!