How Much Water Should Breastfeeding Moms Drink?

Estimated read time: 8 minutes

How much water should I drink when breastfeeding?

If you are breastfeeding, you may be wondering, how much water should a nursing mom drink? Or how much water should you be drinking to meet your and your baby's needs?

Did you know that breast milk is about 90% water? When you are breastfeeding, it is super important to stay hydrated for yourself and your little one.

As a breastfeeding mom, taking care of yourself is extra important to ensure you provide the best nourishment for your little one. In fact, staying properly hydrated is one of the best ways to practice self-care as a new mom. So refill your water bottle mama, it’s time to drink up!

In this article, we're talking about water intake for breastfeeding moms and the importance of hydration while breastfeeding: 

• Why it’s important to hydrate while breastfeeding
• Avoiding dehydration
• How much water should a breastfeeding mom drink a day?
• The best water bottle for breastfeeding moms
• How to drink enough water

Why it is important to hydrate while breastfeeding 

Let's talk about hydration benefits for breastfeeding moms. It’s important to hydrate whether you are breastfeeding or not. However, hydrating for breastfeeding moms is essential. If you are a Milk Maker, then simply producing liquid gold for your little one can lead to an increase in thirst. Proper hydration is key for a healthy milk supply as you transfer breast milk to your baby.

There are positive effects of drinking water while nursing. Did you know there is an impact of hydration on breast milk production? Staying hydrated during breastfeeding also helps the body recover post-delivery and supports overall well-being for both mom and baby.

So what happens if you drink too little water while breastfeeding? Well, if you get too little water, then you run the risk of dehydration.

What happens if I don't drink enough water while breastfeeding? 

Well, the short answer is you will become dehydrated. And getting dehydrated may cause your milk supply to decrease since breast milk is mostly composed of water and your body uses water from your body to make milk. So make sure to hydrate, Mama!

Avoiding dehydration 

Preventing dehydration while breastfeeding is important. Instead of focusing on the number of ounces to consume, focus on staying hydrated. Your water intake when breastfeeding is important. Here are the signs to look out for if you are not getting enough fluids. And remember, if you are thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated.

Here are some common symptoms of dehydration and signs of dehydration in breastfeeding moms:

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Chapped lips
• Fatigue
• Lack of energy
• Headache
• Moodiness
• Muscle cramps
• Nausea

So how much water is enough for breastfeeding?

What is the recommended water intake when I’m NOT breastfeeding?

You may already know this, but a typical adult requires 8 glasses of water a day. This is the normal recommended water intake for non-breastfeeding people.

However, what if you are a breastfeeding mom?

How much water should a breastfeeding mom drink a day?

If you are breastfeeding, you have probably asked, how much water should I drink while breastfeeding? 

According to experts, your daily water requirement for nursing mothers should be about 128 ounces (or 16 cups) per day. This means refilling your 28 oz water bottle around 4.5 times each day. This may sound like a lot, but you may find yourself feeling extra thirsty and that you are already slugging plenty of water. Again, the key is avoiding dehydration.

Also, note that research has found that nursing parents do not need to drink more fluids than what's necessary to satisfy their thirst.

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The best water bottle for breastfeeding moms

When choosing the right water bottle for breastfeeding, you are going to be looking for something with large capacity and a straw to make it easy and even fun to hydrate. 

If you are looking for the best water bottle for new moms that keeps you hydrated while breastfeeding, then we got you. We've looked and we found the top water bottle for nursing mothers. Check out the hydration accessory that every breastfeeding mom needs. It is literally the Tits, just like you!

6 reasons why the You're the Tits 28 oz tumbler is the top water bottle for nursing mothers: 

1) The large capacity keeps you hydrated

It holds 28 oz of liquid. Breastfeeding moms need to drink about 128 oz of water a day. With a water bottle that has a large capacity, it makes it easier to achieve.

2) It keeps your cold liquids cold for 36 hours

Especially in the summer months, drinking cold water can cool you down and feel super satisfying. The You're the Tits 28 oz tumbler is made with double-walled stainless steel, so your ice won’t melt for a whole day, keeping your liquids cool.

3) It keeps your hot liquids hot, too!

The vacuum-insulated interior is a huge win! Fill it up with your favorite hot beverage and it will stay warm for up to 6 hours. No more microwaving your coffee or tea because you didn't get to drink it while it was hot.

4) It has 2 different lid options.

The first top is insulated and comes with 2 straws in case you misplace one. The second top is an insulated flip lid to drink your hot beverages with ease.

5) Take it with you on the go!

We know you are busy mama, and so this is the perfect water bottle for breastfeeding moms that are on the go. There are not many oversized water bottles that are also lightweight, super slim, and easy to grip. Also, it fits in most car cup holders which is a dream!

6) Choose from a variety of colors.

It comes in 3 colors, pink, mint, and black. So pick your favorite color, or two and drink up, mama!

How to drink enough water while breastfeeding?

Looking for hydration tips for nursing mothers? We've got tips for staying hydrated while breastfeeding.

Pay attention to how much water you drink while breastfeeding to stay hydrated. Try drinking 8 ounces of water before and after each feeding and with meals. We know this can sound like a lot, but again, you may be surprised by your thirst. Oxytocin, a hormone released during breastfeeding, naturally affects your thirst, and encourages you to drink enough water to hydrate yourself and make breast milk.

You can tell if you are getting enough water by the color of your urine. If your urine is dark, you need more water. You are looking for a pale yellow or almost clear color which indicates you're getting enough fluids. So pay attention to your body.

Meeting the necessary water intake can be challenging, especially for busy breastfeeding moms. That’s why we put together some practical tips and strategies to help you incorporate hydration into your daily routine to ensure you stay well-hydrated without added stress.

And remember, the best hydrating drinks for breastfeeding moms are ones that you enjoy! 

Our tips to get more fluid intake while breastfeeding: 

• Use a water bottle that is easy to carry around with you
• Add ice to make it really cold in the summer months
• Use a straw that is fun to drink from
• Infuse water with fruits or cucumber to make it tastier and hydrating
• Have more than one water bottle and place them in various locations that you breastfeed
• Set reminder alarms on your phone to hydrate

You can do this!

Now you know how much water you should drink while breastfeeding!

As you embrace the beautiful journey of breastfeeding, remember that nourishing yourself is just as vital as nourishing your baby. Staying hydrated ensures you can provide the best possible care for your little one while maintaining your own well-being.

By recognizing the importance of hydration, avoiding dehydration, understanding the recommended water intake for breastfeeding moms, and implementing practical strategies to drink enough water, you can ensure a positive and rewarding breastfeeding journey for both you and your little one. Remember, a well-hydrated mom is a happy and healthy mom!

At Titty City Design, we believe that every boobie is beautiful, and that should be celebrated. We are a female-owned and operated, small business here to spread self-love and body positivity with our line of boob apparel, boob accessories, and boob-themed decor and products for the home. A portion of our proceeds goes to help support postpartum people and breast cancer patients.

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