As a dietitian and a first-time mom two years ago, I was determined to breastfeed my son. I had learned in school about the importance of breastfeeding and how breast milk is the perfect food, containing water, fat, protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, and antibodies. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers breast milk the gold standard of infant nutrition, because the composition of mother's milk will adjust to baby's changing needs during the first 12 months of life. Research has shown that breastfed babies have a lower incidence of allergies and childhood diseases.
But breastfeeding can be challenging in more ways than one. In addition to the mechanics of getting the baby to latch on correctly, you need to continue to follow a healthy diet similar to the one you followed during pregnancy. If you were looking forward to a few glasses of wine or adding caffeine back to your diet, you may be surprised to learn that you still need to limit your intake of both. Remember, what you eat will be passed back to the baby in the breast milk.
It's also important to remember that restricting your calories to try to lose the weight you gained during pregnancy may impair your milk production. If you are nursing, you will need about 500 calories a day more than your pre-pregnancy intake. Remember to add foods that are packed with nutrients and lower in fat. Important nutrients to include in your diet are calcium, iron, and folate.
Finally, you will need to drink plenty of fluids, a minimum of the recommended 8 cups of water a day, or you?ll find yourself thirsty and your body fluids depleted. If, like me, you find breastfeeding challenging, there are lots of resources available to help you. Check with the hospital to see if they have a lactation consultant who can work with you or contact a support group like La Leche League to help you get started. If you are unable to breastfeed your child, you shouldn't feel guilty! Commercial infant formulas have been carefully designed to mimic the composition of breast milk and many now even contain nutrients such as DHA and ARA, which are important for your baby's brain and eye development. Keep in mind that the goal is to nourish your baby and ensure that he or she has the good nutrition needed for growth and development.
