The birth of a child is one of the greatest and most anticipated miracles in the world. To make the first days and months of life for the baby as comfortable as possible, most mothers adhere to the principles of natural feeding.
Breast milk is the staple food for babies in the first months of life. It contains all the substances and microelements necessary for the proper growth and development of a child. Therefore, it is so necessary to pay sufficient attention to the feeding process. In particular, the nutrition of a nursing mother plays an important role in the quality of milk.
Nutrition principles
Breastfeeding is a rather difficult process for the female body. The kid requires more and more food every day, and the mother must limit herself in many of her favorite foods. How can you balance yourself without making breastfeeding stressful for both? To do this, a woman needs to eat properly and in a balanced way.
Here are some nutritional guidelines for a nursing mom:
Try to eat seasonal vegetables and fruits, that is, do not buy fresh tomatoes in winter and persimmons in summer. Read the labels on the finished products. Stop your choice only on those semi-finished products that do not contain artificial colors, preservatives and flavors. Avoid eating exotic fruits that do not grow in your area. Avoid foods that make you feel unwell or have any unpleasant personal reactions. For example, stomach pain when eating fried foods.
When preparing food, try to opt for baking, stewing, boiling, or steaming. This cooking will preserve more vitamins than frying. Moreover, this food is easier for organisms to digest. Give up carbonated drinks, strong coffee and tea, alcohol. Carefully monitor your baby's reactions after eating foods that may cause allergies: citrus fruits, chocolate, all red and yellow vegetables and fruits, honey, nuts, dairy products. If you need to take any medication, also pay attention to your child's post-meal behavior.
Myths surrounding breastfeeding
The process of breastfeeding, namely the nutrition of a nursing mother during this period, is surrounded by a huge number of myths and conjectures. The most common misconception is that a mother should eat "for two" during this period. However, from a medical point of view, this is not confirmed. because the amount of milk produced is primarily influenced by the individual characteristics of the woman's body.
Another myth says that milk should be an integral part of the diet of a woman who is feeding her child. However, this hypothesis is not confirmed, because if a woman has a personal intolerance to cow's milk, this does not mean that she will not be able to breastfeed her baby. It is enough to maintain the required level of fluid in the body, while it does not matter what to drink: milk, tea or compote.
Keep in mind that food intake throughout the day alters the taste of milk. Pay close attention to the baby's reactions to them, and then the feeding process will be comfortable and enjoyable for both.
