Everyone has told you how important breastfeeding is and you have been hearing only the benefits of breastfeeding since the time your delivery was due. It is true that your baby is going to only live on the breastmilk for first 6 months of his life. But is breastfeeding important for your baby only to fight her hunger? The answer is no, breastfeeding is much more than that. It is going to lay the foundation of your baby’s future. Your baby is growing faster than you think and all his growth depends upon the nutrients present in your breastmilk.
As much as breastfeeding is important for you and your baby, it is also important for you to eat the right kind of food.
Some of the key points to remember about breastfeeding nutrition
- Avoid all outside food, especially the street food and food from places where you think contamination may be possible.. Avoid all the packed and ready to eat food items. Focus on fresh and homemade cooked food.
- Stay away from ice creams and cold drinks because you are more vulnerable to catch cold currently. Once you catch cold, it is obvious for your baby to have the same. Also, this contains high level of sugar and hence better to avoid.
- It is important to eat extra calories during breastfeeding to generate more energy. This additional energy is required to meet the enhanced needs of this phase. You can opt for some healthy choices like banana, healthy fats,whole wheat or multi grain bread with peanut butter for increasing your calorie count.
- Eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Include salads in all your meals. You should also opt for protein-rich foods like egg, meat, poultry, various lentils, beans, and dairy products. You should only be careful about the kind of meat you eat. Buy the meat from clean and hygienic place and eat fully cooked meat which is easy to digest.
- Eating a variety of foods may help enhance the taste of your breast milk which your baby would surely enjoy.
- Keep yourself hydrated all the time. Drink more than 8 glasses of water in a day. Fresh fruits juices without sugar is a good option. If you are tea or coffee drinker, restrict yourself to 2-3 cups. Your baby may have problems sleeping in case your intake of caffeine is too much. If possible, avoid coffee completely.
- You should have dark leafy vegetables and dairy products for enough calcium intake. Eat healthy flavored yoghurts and drink milk.
- Avoid alcohol and smoking completely while breastfeeding. It is going to affect your baby negatively and there is no coming back from that. If you cannot quit even any one of these, please consult your doctor before feeding your baby.
- Keep a check on your baby. If she vomits every time after the meal, visit a doctor. Some food products can also cause allergies to your baby. If she develops a rash or diarrhea after drinking the milk, think of what you ate or drink. This will help you identify the food products that cause allergies in your baby.
- Talk to your doctor for any additional supplements that are required for you.
