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Among the questions new parents may have, many involve breastfeeding. You may wonder if you’ll have to change your diet to enhance the quality of your breast milk, whether breastfeeding is a reliable form of birth control, and if you can have a glass of wine while nursing.
You may also wonder whether breastfeeding is the best option for you and your family. While the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life to promote infant health and development, supplementing or even using formula exclusively are also options that can help keep your baby well-nourished.
Teresa Merritt, RN, a lactation consultant and childbirth educator in Chattanooga, Tennessee, offers answers to some of the most common breastfeeding questions.
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Preventi... + 10
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- Dror DK, Allen LH. Overview of Nutrients in Human Milk. Adv Nutr. 2018;9(suppl_1):278S-294S.
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- Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. How Much Water Do You Need? Last reviewed March 2020.
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- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. A Partner's Guide to Pregnancy. Last reviewed: November 2020.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Breastfeeding Your Baby. Last updated: May 2021.
