Why is proper diet necessary for breastfeeding moms?

If you are looking at achieving optimal growth and mental and physical needs of your child, then you should exclusively breastfeed. This means that you shouldn't give anything to your child other than breast milk, not even water. If you decide to walk down this path, then you should take 500 calories more than the diet you took before pregnancy. When you are breastfeeding, you may also take calcium and vitamin supplements to support your health.

When you are breastfeeding, it is essential to have the right nutrients to maintain your energy level and provide the right nutrition to the baby. Now, your little bundle of joy also depends on you for calcium which helps in its development of bones. If your daily diet does not include the recommended daily requirement of 1000 mg calcium, your baby tends to get the calcium stored in your bones which is not good for your health. Thus, you should include more calcium-rich foods in your diet such as milk, cottage cheese, clarified butter and cheese in your diet. Also, it is to be noted that calcium from food is better absorbed by the body than from supplements. In case you are lactose intolerant, you should talk to a nutritionist about other sources of calcium.

As a breastfeeding mother, your iron supply is passed on to your baby through breast milk. Therefore, you must ensure that your iron levels are optimum to prevent anemia. Beans like kidney beans, black beans as well as legumes contain copious amounts of enzymes and healthy bacteria which help in digestion. These foods are also rich in iron which supports the new mother to fight against many diseases. If you are not a vegetarian, you can consume red meat and chicken for rebuilding your iron reserves.

Some women find it difficult to lose weight after pregnancy since it depends on a host of factors such as food choices, body mechanism, and metabolism. You should, therefore, try to lose your pregnancy weight at a gradual pace rather than starving yourself. Remember that, you are not eating for yourself but also for your baby as well. If you are obese, you should take the advice of an expert. You can lose up to 1 pound per week with the combined efforts of exercise and healthy eating after pregnancy.