Diet Tips for the Nursing Mother
A Healthy Mother Begets a Healthy Baby!
Aug 25, 2009 Meenakshi Krishnan
Women who are nursing their infants should plan and arrange to have a nutritionally balanced diet. This is to ensure overall well-being and to prevent deficiencies in later life.
Weight reducing or crash diets are not advisable at this time. However, you should try and make wise choices of food items that will provide you good nutrition without causing much weight gain. Empty calories in the form of concentrated sugars (as in sweets, candies, sweetened artificial juices, colas, etc.,) are better avoided.
The most common question asked by new mothers is whether they should follow any dietary restrictions for the baby's benefit. The answer is no, except in certain situations where the baby has food allergies or if your doctor has suggested it for medical reasons.
Occasionally, certain berries, onions, members of the cabbage family, chocolate or even certain spices may cause discomfort in the baby. The baby may seem fretful or gassy during the following day. Some babies are sensitive to strong flavors such as those in Chinese foods, pizzas, bell peppers, etc. Consumption of these foods by the mother probably make the milk taste different and cause temporary refusal to nurse. However, no food should be withheld from the mother unless it causes distress in the infant.
In many countries, it is tradition to give certain specific foods to women in the first six weeks after delivery. What is common to all of these is the fact that they are easy to digest, do not form gas, contain enough fiber to move mommy's bowels and even aid milk production.
Almost every culture in the world has certain foods that are believed to increase milk supply in a nursing mother.The French use Fennel whereas the Chinese give a paste of pork-fat and red gram to lactating women. Cuttlefish soup is also part of this diet. in India, garlic, cumin seeds and fenugreek spices are believed to increase milk supply. However, the fact remains that milk supply can be enhanced and sustained only if a mother has a strong desire to nurse her infant.
A nursing mother should consciously consume plenty of water and other fluids per day. Caffeine should be used in moderation as this can lead to fluid loss through increased urination. Caffeine containing beverages are coffee, tea, cocoa and some carbonated beverages. Dehydration has a negative impact on breastfeeding as you require fluids to make milk.
Remember that environmental pollutants you may be exposed to can also pass through your milk to your baby. To avoid this, you can take the following simple steps:
- Opt for organically grown foods whenever possible; peel or thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables to get rid of pesticides they may contain;
- Avoid using pesticides and chemical sprays in your home environment;
- Avoid dairy products rich in fat. Cut away fatty portions of meat, poultry and fish since most pollutants get concentrated in fat.
It is a common proverb that " we are what we eat". By being aware and conscious, you can ensure good health for your family and yourself. Remember that moderation is the key!
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