Understanding how much water you should drink while breastfeeding is key to maintaining optimal hydration levels. While taking less water might not affect milk production, overhydration can cause some issues with your breast milk. In this article, we will provide you with a helpful calculator and guidelines to determine your water intake needs while nurturing your baby.
How Much Water Should I Drink While Breastfeeding?
The recommended water intake while breastfeeding is determined by various organizations through extensive research and expert opinions. Valuable insights on hydration needs during this special phase of motherhood are provided by the European Union and the Institute of Medicine in America. Let’s explore their recommendations to help you maintain hydration while breastfeeding.
Based on European Union Recommendation
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) provides guidelines for water intake during lactation. According to their recommendations, breastfeeding women should aim for a daily total water intake of approximately 700 ml. This includes all fluids consumed, such as water, milk, juice, and other beverages, as well as fluids obtained from food sources.
Based on the Institute of Medicine, America
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) in America also provides guidelines for water intake during breastfeeding. Their recommendations suggest that lactating women should aim for a daily total water intake of about 12 cups. This can as well mean fluids from all sources, including beverages and foods.
We are quite aware that there are different opinions regarding the amount of water a lactating mother should take. While we recommend you go with their recommendations which are based on research, we strongly believe in how you feel about the amount of water you should take per day.
Not just that, but there are basically other factors that can influence the total amount of water you should take in a day (excluding breastfeeding). Some of which are body weight, climate, physical activity level, and diet.
So you can just do you. With that in mind, the calculator also allows you to input your personal recommendation if that’s what you prefer.
How Does the ‘How Much Water Should I Drink While Breastfeeding Calculator’ Work?
The ‘How Much Water Should I Drink While Breastfeeding Calculator’ is a valuable tool that helps you estimate your daily water intake requirements while breastfeeding. It takes into account factors such as your age, and whether you are breastfeeding or pregnant.
Please note: The daily water intake of a pregnant woman is different from a lactating mother and those who are neither breastfeeding nor pregnant. According to the European Union, a pregnant woman should take about 300 ml of water. The Institute of Medicine, America, likewise suggests around 10 cups of water daily.
The calculator works with recommendations from two bodies in gauging your water intake. They are the European Union and the Institute of Medicine, America. As we’ve mentioned earlier, you can as well input your own recommended gauge to determine your water intake as a lactating mother since individual needs and body vary.
Here’s how the calculator works:
Step 1
Enter your age in the section provided for that.
Step 2
Select if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or none.
Step 3
You are required to answer if you know the amount of water you take daily or want to follow either of the recommendations. (As you know in this case, they are, European Union ad Institute of Medicine, America recommendations). Do not want to go with the recommendations? That’s fine as well. Simply choose the measurement form you are comfortable with (liters, ml, oz, or cups) and enter the amount beneath it.
Step 4
If you use your recommendations, your results should be available by now. But, if you choose to go with the recommendations, choose between the European Union and the Institute of Medicine, America’s recommendations to determine your daily water intake.
Step 5
After selecting any of those recommendations, your results should be out. It’ll be predicted in liters, ml, oz, and cups.
We do hope you make use of it.
Find Your Cues
While there may be varying recommendations from different organizations, such as the European Union and the Institute of Medicine, they all emphasize the importance of staying adequately hydrated during breastfeeding. But, always remember that these calculations are general guidelines and not a standard that must be followed without doubt.
Instead, you can take time to monitor your body also and determine your adequate daily water intake as a lactating mother and we wish you the best of luck!
If you would like to know how many calories you burn while breastfeeding, use this calculator here.