Increase Your Calorie Intake

• Eat 500 additional calories per day. Breastfeeding requires the extra calories in order to produce enough milk for the baby. RevolutionHealth.com advocates meeting this amount by eating vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein. This helps the mother meet her nutritional goals also, important for producing enough breast milk.
  
  

Eat Plenty of Nutrients

• Eat plenty of protein, iron and calcium. Whattoexpect.com recommends eating three servings of protein, five servings of calcium, and one or more servings of iron every day to meet your nutritional requirements. If you cannot eat the required amount through food sources, take a supplement.
  
  

Stay Hydrated

• Keep hydrated. According to Babycenter.com, breastfeeding causes the body to shed more water, increasing dehydration. Drink 64 oz. of water per day, or 8 oz. glasses of water eight times per day, to meet the daily hydration requirements. Avoid any beverages that promote dehydration, including soda, coffee and alcohol.
  
  

Avoid Caffeine and Alcohol

• Avoid consuming caffeine or alcohol. Caffeine and alcohol can transfer into breast milk, irritating the baby's digestive system. Drugs.com recommends 300 mg of caffeine a day maximum. Avoid drinking alcohol when possible.
  
  

Avoid Fish

• Avoid consuming fish. Fish contains mercury, which can transfer into breast milk and harm the baby. The FDA advises mothers to eat only 6 oz. of canned albacore per week. Mothers should also avoid consuming swordfish, mackerel, white snapper and shark meat.