Breastfeeding

Nutrition for Breastfeeding

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Many already realize that nutrition for lactating women is going to have different rules than their pregnancy diet had. Because of the milk production process, the body needs different fuels than it did before. And while nutrition for lactating women might seem a bit much at first - remember that you’re not the only one that is going to benefit from watching what you eat.

Eating Regularly is the Best Advice
The process of breastfeeding is one that requires a lot of energy for mom. This means that as a mom, you will need to eat three regular meals a day and two snacks to make sure your body has enough fuel to produce the milk. Most experts on nutrition for lactating women agree that choosing balanced meals with plenty of nutrients is the best way to ensure you’re getting adequate vitamins and minerals.

But what you might not realize is that this will and should add up to about 2700 calories a day. While this seems like a lot when you feel like you should be losing weight, it’s actually what your body should be getting, plus an additional 500 calories for the breastfeeding process.

This is simply not a time for dieting - there’s plenty of time later to try to lose weight. Right now you need to focus on being healthy!

Drink It Up
Nutrition for lactating women also needs to include plenty of beverages, like water. Since the process of breastfeeding and lactating takes up more water to complete, you need to be able to replenish your body’s stores and keep your energy up in this way.

If you should notice signs like a dry mouth or constipation, these may be signs that you need to drink more water. You should also realize that these symptoms are quite common, and there’s nothing to be worried about.

Keep up Those Vitamins
To further ensure that you’re getting adequate nutrition, you might want to keep taking those prenatal vitamins you’ve been given. In terms of nutrition for lactating women, this is a great way to fill in any gaps your diet might leave. And if your doctor agrees that this is a good step, why not keep up this good habit?

With the proper nutrition for lactating women, milk production is much easier and more nutritious for your growing child - and that adds up to a happy mom and child.

by Michelle Van Otten
About the Author: Michelle Van Otten is the founder and owner of Ultimate Body Potential located in Los Gatos, Ca. UBP offers personal training, fitness classes, outdoor fitness bootcamps and much more. To learn more and sign up for lots of free information please visit http://www.ultimatebodypotential.com

Buy the Book: Eat Well, Lose Weight While Breastfeeding

Image Source: http://flickr.com/photos/nickwheeleroz/2281759696/

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