Postnatal nutrition for mother and baby (up to 6 months old)

A healthy diet can help new mothers to recover from birth and manage stress and tiredness
Healthy eating in the baby's first two years of life promotes good growth, health and development

Mother's diet

Encourage mothers to eat until they feel full
Include a variety of breads and cereals, vegetables, fruits, meats, milk, cheese and yoghurt
Breastfeeding mothers need extra nutrients but not a lot of extra kilojoules (energy)
Promote drinking at least 2 litres of water every day
Advise mother it is safest not to drink alcohol when breastfeeding — see Breastfeeding
Check breastfeeding mothers are taking 150microgram iodine supplement, oral, daily — see Postnatal care of mother and other supplements if prescribed (eg for anaemia)
Refer to dietitian if any nutrition or food security concerns

Breastfeeding provides short and long term health benefits for baby, mother and community. Any breastfeeding is beneficial
Breast milk contains protective factors that boost baby's immune system
Breastfeeding takes time to establish and can be difficult. Support from health professionals and families is needed to support and maintain breastfeeding
Breast milk has all the nutrients baby needs for the first 6 months of life. No other foods or fluids, including water, are needed until around 6 months of age
Breastfeeding is the best option for babies even if mother's diet is poor
Breast milk when offered with other foods provides important nutrition for at least the first 2 years of life

If mother has any concerns about breastfeeding (eg pain, supply, baby crying a lot, baby's weight gain) — see Breastfeeding — common issues. Treat any issues early and refer to midwife/lactation consultant

Educate caregiver's about key messages

Exclusively breastfeed (do not give other food or fluids) until baby is around 6 months of age
Introduce complementary (solid) foods at around 6 months of age when baby shows developmental signs of readiness — see Infant and child nutrition
Continue to promote breastfeeding throughout the first 2 years of life and for as long as mother and child want

Time away from baby

Support and encourage mother to stay with her baby wherever possible
If mother is away from a young baby for any reason recommend expressing breast milk — see Breastfeeding instead of providing formula

Providing formula may reduce breast milk supply and negatively impact on continued breastfeeding

It may be necessary for infants to be fed formula for a variety of reasons including health concerns
Encourage mothers to continue any breastfeeding where possible. Breast and formula feeding can be combined when necessary
Infant formulas are expensive
Cleaning and sterilising bottles is important to prevent infections. This can be difficult in remote communities

Encourage responsive feeding following baby's hunger and fullness signs — Table 4.2
Babies should be drinking formula from a cup by 6 months of age. Younger baby can also drink from a cup — refer to midwife to teach safe cup feeding for young baby
Monitoring growth regularly is the best way to know if baby is having enough formula. Refer to midwife, child health nurse or dietitian if there are any feeding concerns or if baby's growth is not following a growth line — see Infant, child, youth growth (0-17 years)

Table 4.2 Signs of hunger and fullness in healthy growing babies

Clean and sterilise all equipment used for making formula

Use correct infant formula

Newborn or stage 1 formula should be used for all formula fed infants until 1 year old, unless a special formula is prescribed. Follow-on or stage 2 formulas are not needed
Do not use cow's milk as a drink until after 1 year old
Infant formula is not needed after 1 year old unless prescribed. Offer water and full cream cow's milk as drinks — see Infant and child nutrition

Mix formula correctly

Cleaning and sterilising bottles is important to prevent infections
Follow exactly instructions on can. Use the scoop from that can and add the number of scoops and amount of water recommended on can. Different brands have different sized scoops and amounts of water needed per scoop
Fill scoop and level off top with a clean knife. Do not pack down formula
Use cooled, boiled water to make formula

Boil fresh water in a pot on stove for 5 minutes or boil twice if using electric kettle
Let water cool before making the formula — mixes more easily and stops vitamins being destroyed by heat
Do not use the water that was used to sterilise equipment to make formula

Store prepared formula at back of fridge. Do not store in fridge door
Warm bottle to tepid in a cup or pot of warm water. Do not warm in microwave

Complementary foods that are rich in iron are needed from around 6 months of age when baby is showing developmental signs of readiness to eat — see Infant and child nutrition