Diet Advice For Nursing Moms
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding as the healthier option vs. formula fed babies, and a well-balanced diet is essential for new moms who choose to do so.
The quality of breastmilk a nursing mother produces is a direct outcome of everything she eats and drinks If it’s good for your body then it’s probably good for your baby too. A new mom will experience increased appetite and thirst after delivery of her baby. Nourishing foods such as milk & dairy products, breads & cereals, fruits, vegetables, and protein foods such as meats, beans, poultry, peanut butter, are vitaly important for diet. Fluid consumption should include six to ten glasses of liquids per day such as water, juices, and milk. reduced milk production and issues such as constipation can be a result of low fluid intake
A temperamental baby can be the direct result of diet.Certain food nutrients that a mother eats while breastfeeding can be absorbed into the breast milk. Some protein foods can make the baby gassy. Babies can also react to spicy foods such as onion and garlic. If you must have these food items, limit or reduce them in your diet. Some other foods or substances that are strongly advised to reduce or eliminate all-together would be:
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Medications
Caffeine levels in breast milk can be measured about one hour after digestion, usually after drinking coffee, tea, and sodas, but sometimes from medications as well. A newborn baby cannot process caffeine like your body can and the result is a peak level in their system, causing irritability, colic, constipation and other baby health issues. A recommendation is to keep caffeine consumption to the equivalent of 1-2 cups of coffee or less per day.
The controversy about drinking alcohol during breastfeeding continues largely due to discretion over what is the definition of moderation. Breastmilk levels will usually reflect blood alcohol levels. Current medical studies recommend that 1-2 units per week are acceptable. It is also recommended not to breastfeed until at least 2 hours after alcohol consumption. There can be negative effects on infant growth as well as other side effects such as hormonal imbalances in the child.
Smoking after pregnancy is just as harmful to a child as smoking during pregnancy…possibly even more so since double the amount of nicotine is transferred into breastmilk as compared to the placenta during pregnancy. It has been proven that asthma and ear infections increase in infants of mothers who breastfeed and smoke. After a survey of women in the United States, 25% of those in their reproductive age smoke cigarettes before and during pregnancy despite any known potential dangers, overall, this is the best time of your life to quit smoking.
Many physicians will recommend not to breastfeed while taking medications. Unfortunately, this blanket approach has led to a large reduction of nursing mothers in the United States and has increased infant related illness associated with formula-fed babies. Most medications prescribed to mothers should have no effect on breastmilk or infant health. Every mother has the responsibility to educate herself on the medication she is taking and know the risks. Groups such as the AAP and the U.S. Department of Health Services (healthfinder.gov) can help mothers make better decisions related to medications and nursing.
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