Diet for breast feeding mother
A baby is dependent upon his mother for all the nutritional requirements during the feeding period. For the first few months the only source of energy for the baby is breast milk. [hana-code-insert name=’rectangle’ /]Thus the mother should decide her diet as per the baby’s requirements. Since a lot of calcium and other nutrient in the mother’s body are being engaged in the production of milk, a healthy diet is as essential for her and for baby. Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided.
Diet Includes
A lot of water, juices and other liquids should be taken so as to keep the body well hydrated.
Divide your meals into five meals i.e. breakfast, lunch, afternoon snack, evening snack and finally dinner. You should eat a piece of fruit with each meal.
To avoid zinc deficiency, take a proper amount of zinc supplements. Like eggs, oats, whole wheat and meat. Mother require 15-20 milligram zinc daily.
A nursing mother require about 1200 milligram of calcium every day. Hence need to add external supplement (like Dairy products, almonds, hazelnuts and raw vegetables) with the balance diet. Because diet provides only 800-100 milligrams of calcium.
Sometimes a few food items may not suit the baby. Eliminate such a food temporarily from your diet. Onion, turnips, spices etc produce some change of taste in the milk which may not be liked by the baby. But the choice varies from baby to baby .If your baby shows any negative sign such as gas problem then you have to eliminate the food from your diet.