Mothers require a healthy and varied diet. In the case of illness or nutritional problems the doctor may need to prescribe some supplements.

The food that is eaten goes directly to the mother´s milk and can alter the smell and the taste. These changes help the baby to become familiar with different flavours and thus allows the child to accept the complementary feeding. An excess of coffee, cola beverages, tea or chocolate should be avoided.

There is no proof that certain types of food help to stimulate milk production. Medicinal plants are often regarded as harmless but many of these contain substances that may be toxic to the child. The majority of commonly used drugs and medications are compatible with breastfeeding and in few cases is it necessary to stop treatment. Information at www.e-lactancia.org.

Breastfeeding and sport are perfectly compatible.

A moderate form of exercise done regularly has no negative affect whatsoever on breastfeeding regarding composition or amount. Sports that might cause injuries or traumas to the breast are not advisable. Swimming should be avoided during some time immediately after delivery (postpartum).

It is best to do exercise after feeding. Use a bra especially indicated for sports and make sure to warm up fully before doing intense exercise and increase intensity progressively. It is a good idea to drink more liquids and increase your complex carbohydrate intake.

Mothers who wish to lose weight can combine exercise with a slight caloric restriction; but it is important to maintain a balanced diet.

Nicotine is transferred to mother´s milk and may produce sleeping disorders and reduce milk production. Furthermore, if the baby is exposed and inhales cigarette smoke there is a much higher risk of sudden infant death, respiratory infections, asthma or ear infections.

Quitting or giving up this habit is best for both mother and child. When giving up smoking is unattainable or impossible, breastfeeding does have certain advantages which do compensate for the negative effects of smoking. In this case it is advisable to:

Smoke as little as possible

Smoke outside the home and never near the baby

Smoke after each feed and allowing at least a two hour interval until the next feed

Avoid smoking before the child´s naps or sleeping period.

Alcohol passes freely into mother´s milk but disappears or is eliminated quickly. The substance does not accumulate in the mammary glands.

A reduced amount of alcohol is not dangerous to the breastfed child, but more than 0,5 g/Kg (200cc of wine 500cc beer or 60cc liquor) can produce sedation and reduce milk production. Alcohol also changes the colour and taste of mother´s milk and some babies go on nursing strike and refuse to eat due to the taste.

Fathers play a key role in breastfeeding success. It is important that they attend the prenatal appointments and courses in order to be well informed.

Following childbirth the father can be of great help taking care of other siblings, helping with the housework and in general helping the mother overcome difficulties. He can be of great help with the new baby: changing nappies, bathing and developing a bond with the child while the mother rests.

The other members of the family also play an important role when it comes to supporting the new parents; respecting the decisions they make and their need for intimacy as a new family, as well as helping out with chores and other tasks so that the parents can enjoy more quality time with their baby.

Situations of separation and divorce are more frequent during breastfeeding now that more and more women decide to breastfeed their babies. It is important that parents think about the child´s wellbeing first and foremost.

The best way to protect breastfeeding and the emotional development of a child is to promote the bond between father and baby without interfering with the mother-child bond and their breastfeeding time.

In order to maintain lactation, it is advisable to establish visitation rights and allow those   longer periods of separation (weekends, holidays etc…) to be reduced, so that mother and child can be together more often (mornings and afternoons) and so facilitate feeding.

Breastfeeding support groups can be of great help to all breastfeeding families. These groups are supervised by mothers with expertise and other specialists (in the case of workshops). These groups create the ideal environment to promote learning and convey experiences woman to woman with personal feeding targets in mind.

Breastfeeding is not always easy. Having a group with other moms to share doubts, difficulties and solutions is a useful tool and can be of great help. The support groups are free and require no obligations. Find your nearest group here! http://www.ihan.es/grupos-apoyo.

Human milk banks (HMB) are specialized centers responsible for the promotion and support of breastfeeding (BF), as well as the collection, analysis, processing, storage and distribution of donated human milk to infants with special needs (premature and severely ill neonates). This is carried out under medical prescription, guaranteeing the nutritional quality and the microbiological and toxic safety of consumption.
The donation of milk is a generous and altruistic act by women who are breastfeeding and also extract milk to donate in the HMB and thus contribute to the health of sick neonates, when they do not have milk from their own mother.
In our country there are currently thirteen HMBs which, in addition to their work of collecting and processing human milk delivered by mother donors, are a permanent support to BF in our society.

[+]info
Comité de Lactancia Materna
Manuel Peña Caballero