| |
Most women become more careful about what they eat when pregnant, and try to eat a varied diet of natural, wholesome foods. Many mothers continue to eat a varied healthy diet while breastfeeding (and beyond). Organic foods are considered ideal. Breastfeeding mothers benefit from eating a helping of leafy dark green vegetables or a food rich in folates (B9) daily. Those on a strict vegetarian diet are recommended to take a vitamin B12 supplement. Breastfeeding mothers use up to an additional 500 calories a day, which is why breastfeeding mums get their pre-pregnancy shape back faster. Some mothers find simple, healthy, frequent snacks the easiest.
As milk is often made “on tap” while
breastfeeding, you may frequently feel
thirsty when feeding your baby. It is a
good idea to have a glass of water with
you when you sit down to feed. |
|
| |
Different
cultures believe that different foods upset
babies, which suggests that babies are
tolerant of most foods mothers eat. If
you suspect a food you have eaten has made
your baby more fussy, cutting that food
out from your diet for a week then introducing
it back a week later will give an indication
if it is to blame. If your baby reacts
the same way, removing this food from your
diet for 3 months before introducing it
again may help your baby tolerate it. Foods
that cause a mother to feel gassy may affect
her baby in the same way. |
|
| |
Babies
need lots of attention, and need to be
close to mum for her milk and emotional
security. The gut of an infant is immature,
and exclusive breastfeeding until six months
protects the baby’s digestive tract,
reducing the risk of foreign proteins causing
allergic reactions. Waiting until your
baby is six months old before offering
other foods or milk can reduce the possibility
of sensitisation. At around six months
your baby can produce enough IgA antibodies
to prevent leaching of food antigens through
the gut: this is one of the reasons it
is suggested that weaning foods should
not be given before then. If there are
allergies in the family, some mothers continue
to breastfeed for at least a year and avoid
offering their baby dairy and wheat products
until after her first birthday to lessen
the chance of her being sensitised to these
common allergies.. |
|
|
