Healthy eating is still important even after delivery in order to recover from childbirth, have energy , shed pregnancy weight and produce nutritious milk for your baby.

Women are often concerned about fitting back into pre-pregnancy clothes. Typically women will lose about 18 - 20 pounds within ten days after delivery. The American Academy of Obstetricians and Gynecologists does not recommend losing more than half a pound per week. At this rate, women will return to their normal weight within two months of delivery. The key of course, is to eat a healthy diet.

Women who are breast feeding need 600 more calories a day than they did before pregnancy. It is important to eat a well-balanced diet with extra calcium, protein and fluids. A balanced diet with lots of fruits and vegetables will ensure that the baby receives all of the essential vitamins and nutrients necessary to grow.

Skipping meals will cut into a woman's own reserves and over time will decrease the supply of nutritionally adequate milk.

It is still important that nursing women stay away from cigarettes, illicit drugs, alcohol and excessive caffeine as these substances can pass into breast milk and may harm the baby. (A single, occasional drink is OK.) Furthermore, all medications including those sold over the counter and a physician should approve nutritional supplements and herbs before taking them.