reastfeeding is a personal choice for every new mom to make. Despite how "natural" breastfeeding is "supposed" to be, it is actually just like many other learned things in life; it calls for a bit of practice, patience and perseverance.

Once you get the hang of it, nursing your newborn can be not just a bonding experience, but a great way to boost your baby’s immune system while meeting all of his/her nutritional needs.

Here are some breastfeeding basics:

YOU (AND YOUR BABY) ARE WHAT YOU EAT
I WANT SOME WINE
GET THAT MILK FLOWING
HELPING YOUR NEWBORN LATCH ON
TRIALS & TRIBULATIONS

YOU (AND YOUR BABY) ARE WHAT YOU EAT
Even though you’re going to burn approximately 500 calories a day to produce a full milk supply, you probably don't want to take this as a free pass to binge on ice cream and cookies.

It’s important to have a nutritious diet high in green leafy vegetables, calcium and whole grains. And drink lots of water; you definitely want to keep hydrated! Be sure to keep taking your prenatal vitamins; you’ll need to keep up your intake of folic acid and iron, just like when you were pregnant.

Keep in mind that some foods you eat can affect your newborn. If your baby is having tummy troubles after a feeding (trust us, you’ll know), experiment with eliminating some foods from your diet to see if you can decipher the problem.

Common culprits are:

• Cow’s milk
• Spicy food
• Acidic foods (tomatoes, citrus)
• Chocolate (in large quantities)
• Onions, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, garlic
• Caffeine

But remember, most moms can eat everything in moderation. Even if it seems like your newborn is bothered by a certain type of food, it’ll usually disappear within a few weeks or months. (See also Nutrition for Nursing Moms.)