![]() As you have probably already guessed, unfortunately, the answer to that question is "No." Even if you're not breastfeeding, you'll still be "eating for two" in many ways. Nursing moms need to monitor their menus and watch for changes in their baby's behavior. And both nursing and formula-feeding moms are going to need plenty of energy, strength, stamina, alertness, endurance, and drive over the coming months. That means loading up on nutrients and eating a well-balanced diet. Not the Time to Diet Immediately post-pregnancy is not the time to be cutting calories. You will have plenty of time later on to lose the pregnancy weight. But right now, your first priority is to give your baby what she needs. Restricting calories will only deprive her of much-needed nourishment. And these nourishment needs can be very specific. As you enter the postpartum phase, one of the first things you should do is make changes to your nutrition program to reflect your body's changing nutritional needs. Most importantly, pay attention to your calories. While pregnant, your daily caloric needs were about 300 calories higher than your normal (non-pregnant) weight maintenance level. If you're breastfeeding, you'll want to bump that up by another 100 calories for the first couple of months (for a total of 400 above normal). If you're formula-feeding, you can simply subtract those extra 300 calories. Healthy Weight Loss That's not to say that you can't or won't lose weight during this time. If you happen to lose weight as the result of a balanced diet and moderate activity (as your doctor allows), that's great! It just shouldn't be the focus of your dietary and exercise decisions. If you're breastfeeding and want to lose weight (after nursing has been established and is going well), do so gradually (about 1/2 to 1 pound weekly). Eat a nutritious diet, exercise daily and cut back on foods high in fat and sugar (such as potato chips, cookies, candy, soft drinks, and fried foods). Do not try diet pills, liquid diets, or other weight loss products. Not only do they not work, but they can be harmful to you and your baby. If bottle-feeding, continue to follow the USDA MyPlate program. After six to eight weeks, talk to your doctor; if your body has recovered and your energy levels are sustained, it may be OK to start actively losing weight. The Link Between Nutrition and Breastfeeding Your diet not only determines which nutrients your small one gets, but your food choices can also affect your entire breastfeeding experience. For example, your diet actually impacts the amount, taste, and quality of milk you produce. Here are some general tips for using your diet to support your breastfeeding efforts:
Zinc supports a healthy immune system. It promotes cell reproduction, wound healing, tissue growth and repair, and is essential for adequate growth and development. Zinc is involved in appetite regulation and taste, and it helps your body use carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Best Sources: meat, oysters, poultry, legumes, eggs, fish, seafood Good Sources: wheat germ, whole grain products, black-eyed peas, miso (fermented soybean paste) Amount Needed: 25 milligrams Calcium strengthens bones, builds density, and is vital to the formation of teeth. Small amounts of calcium circulate in the bloodstream and help with muscle and heart contractions, nerve functions, and blood clotting. Calcium will be leeched from a nursing mother's bones if she does not consume adequate calcium to meet the needs of milk production and growth of the baby's skeleton. Best Sources: milk and milk products such as cheese and yogurt Good Sources: green leafy vegetables, canned sardines or salmon with bones, calcium-fortified juices Amount Needed: 1,200 milligrams Iron is an essential part of hemoglobin, which transports oxygen to the cells and utilizes the oxygen when it arrives. Iron is widely distributed throughout the body and is found in the blood, liver, spleen, and bone marrow. An iron deficiency can lead to anemia, along with fatigue, weakness, and an increased risk for infections. During pregnancy, the fetus stores enough iron to last 4-6 months after birth. Best Sources: liver and other organ meats, oysters, and blackstrap molasses Good Sources: spinach, beans, peas Amount Needed: at least 27 milligrams (aim to get 15-20 mg. from your diet and supplement the additional amount) Irritants & Allergies New moms commonly wonder if their breast milk can irritate or cause allergies in their newborns. If you think your baby might be suffering from food irritation or allergies, please consult with your child's pediatrician or specialist rather than trying to diagnose the problem and solution yourself. To help with this discussion, some pediatricians suggest keeping a food journal. Include specific details of not only of what you eat, but also the time you ate the foods, the time you fed your baby, how much the baby ate, and how he reacted in the hours following the feeding. Note any fussiness or possible reactions and discuss these with your doctor. Progressive Nutrition for Your Child After about 4-6 months, you can probably introduce your child to something besides breast milk or formula. But even then, there is no need to rush. Your baby needs to be physically and developmentally ready for solid foods. When introduced too early, solid foods can be hard to digest. Here are some signs that your baby might be ready for food:
This article was reviewed by Tanya Jolliffe, a BabyFit nutritionist. |
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Member Comments
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Alex Report