Because you are shedding excess fluid when you are breastfeeding it is important to stay well-hydrated.

Although milk supply isn't necessarily affected by the amount of fluids you drink, it is good for your overall health and well-being to stay hydrated, especially while breastfeeding.

Here, some tips for staying hydrated when you are breastfeeding:

• Aim to drink 8, 8 oz. glasses of water a day, or 64 oz. total. Carrying a large plastic water bottle with you throughout the day will help you reach this goal.
• "Drink to thirst" or in other words, drink water whenever you are thirsty. Thirst is a sign of dehydration, so be sure to pay attention to this warning sign.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages because caffeine can contribute to dehydration.
• Avoid alcohol while breastfeeding. Not only can it contribute to dehydration, but alcohol can enter your breastmilk and potentially cause harm to or irritate your baby.

How long should I breastfeed?
The decision of how long to breastfeed is a personal decision.  For you, it may be influenced by when you decide to return to work, the health of you or your baby, or simply a feeling that it is the right time.  Here are a few things to consider when making your decision.

Selecting a breast pump
While you want your new baby to enjoy all of the benefits of breast milk, you may wish to return to work or find that there are other times when you prefer to pump and store breast milk in bottles so another caregiver can feed the baby. But, how do you choose the right breast pump?