How much water do you need?

Busted.  Sinead at Breastfeeding Mums (writing from Northern Ireland) passed on a challenge to take a picture of my trusty water container and write a post about it.  But the truth is that I don't drink a lot of water.  I tend to suddenly notice that I'm really thirsty and then drink a huge glass of water, maybe once a day. 

Anyway, here's the glass I'd probably use if I were a well-hydrated person.  Plus a bonus frog.

I figure that this is a good opportunity to talk about how much water a nursing mother needs to drink.  The answer is pretty simple:  Drink to thirst.  Many women are naturally thirsty during breastfeeding, so your body regulates this pretty well on its own.

There is no need to force yourself to drink.  In fact, the La Leche League Breastfeeding Answer Book says,

"It is not beneficial for the mother or her milk supply to force extra fluids.  Not only is forcing fluids uncomfortable, but one study found that mothers produced no more milk when they drank 25 percent more fluids than when they drank to thirst.  Research has yet to find a link between fluid intake and milk supply."

So there.  I now pass along this challenge to Stephanie at Adventures in Babywearing, Micky at Mocha Milk, and half-way around the world to Karen at Cairo Mama.

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Comments

[Natural Moms Talk Radio]

LOL! A Mom after my own heart. I'm on a mission to kill that 'you have to drink a gallon of water a day to make milk' myth too.

There's absolutely NO scientific proof that a person needs to force water, count water glasses or what have you.

If we ate when we were hungry, stopped when we were sated, drank when we were thirsty, stop when we're sated, slept when we're tired, etc... we'd all be better off.

[Tanya Lieberman]

Thanks, Carrie! I don't feel as bad now about my water consumption. Now if I could just learn to sleep when I'm tired...

[Colleen Newman]

Hi Tanya,
Isn't it great when you find other Moms who may not be doing everything "by the book"? I posted my preferred drinking container on my blog. Check it out: http://www.mybabyandmore.com/blog/
Thanks for your honesty! Colleen

[Tanya Lieberman]

Colleen,

Love your post! I don't drink much Diet Coke now that I'm not working in an office, but, oh, do I love it.

Tanya