Hydration While Breastfeeding: Simple Homemade Electrolyte Drink for Nursing Moms
Takeaway: Breastfeeding can leave you feeling constantly dehydrated—and expensive store-bought drinks aren’t always the answer. In this post, I’m sharing my go-to homemade electrolyte drink for breastfeeding moms that’s simple, nourishing, and budget-friendly. You’ll also get practical hydration tips and support resources for postpartum recovery and mental wellness.
Why Hydration Matters for Breastfeeding Moms
Staying hydrated while breastfeeding isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Breastmilk is over 80% water, and the constant nursing sessions can leave you depleted and exhausted if you’re not getting enough fluids. But water alone didn’t cut it for me. And while I liked store-bought options like Liquid I.V., they were expensive and full of ingredients I wanted to avoid—especially while nursing.
So I started experimenting. I tried several homemade electrolyte drinks (sometimes called rehydration or mineral drinks), and the one that worked best for me is simple, effective, dye-free, and budget-friendly.
Easy Homemade Electrolyte Drink for Nursing
You’ll be shocked at how super simple and delicious this rehydration recipe is! It won’t take much longer to make than it does to mix a store made electrolyte drink.
Ingredients
1 cup white grape juice (I use this so it doesn’t stain if spilled; you can sub white cranberry juice, regular cranberry juice, or regular grape juice!)
7 cups of water
2 teaspoons iodized salt
Instructions
Mix all ingredients in a large pitcher and stir well. That’s it!
Tip: If your partner is looking for ways to help during your breastfeeding journey, ask them to be in charge of keeping the fridge stocked with this drink.
This usually lasts me about two days. I keep it in a big insulated cup with ice and sip it throughout the day to stay hydrated while breastfeeding.
Why This DIY Rehydration Recipe Works Postpartum
This recipe helped me stay on top of my fluid intake without relying on expensive store-bought drinks loaded with sugar and additives. It's a natural electrolyte drink that supports hydration and energy levels during a time your body needs it most.
It also helps with postpartum dehydration, which can sneak up on nursing moms—especially if you're dealing with night feeds, cluster feeding, or recovering from birth.
Postpartum Support Beyond Hydration
If no one has told you this yet: breastfeeding, postpartum recovery, and early motherhood are incredibly demanding. Whether you’re struggling with hydration, emotional overwhelm, relationship challenges, or just feel off—you’re not alone.
If you’re a looking for extra support, postpartum counseling might help. Together, we can talk about what you're carrying and find tools to help you feel more like yourself again. Get in touch to learn more about maternal mental health therapy. please get in touch to learn more about counseling with me and see if therapy could be a good fit for you.
Join Our Community of Moms Who Get It in Washington State
Not ready for therapy but still want support in the early years of motherhood? You can join our email list and be part of a community led by a maternal mental health therapist who gets what you're going through.
Sign up for Through Thick and Thin—our twice-monthly newsletter packed with honest stories, mental health insights, and real-life tools for moms navigating early motherhood. Sign up here.
Disclaimer: This recipe comes from my personal experience as a breastfeeding mom. I’m not a registered dietitian or nutritionist, and this isn’t medical advice. Always talk to your doctor, lactation consultant, or healthcare provider about your hydration needs during breastfeeding.
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