Jackson at circa 2 weeks
A friend recently asked me to post about recommendations for nursing moms. As a nursing mom, I can relate to many of the ups and downs experienced during this time of your child's life.
Often moms report feeling very hungry while nursing. I can speak first hand about this one. During the first couple of months of nursing my son I ate every few hours. I would even leave a peanut butter and jelly sandwich in his room for during our night time feedings!
Breast feeding is NOT a time to severely restrict calories. Be reasonable; but don't under or over do it with your eatin. Listen to your body. If you are hungry, you should probably eat. Choosing protein and healthy fats will help satisfy your appetite better than straight carbohydrates. My favorite way to start the day was with 2 eggs on whole wheat toast with a little bit of real butter. That hit the spot and gave me energy to get going. Fortunately, the massive hunger does seem to subside after 2-4 months.
Research has shown that regardless of what a mom eats, she will produce a nutrient rich milk for her child. I believe this is very true, but I also believe that you can increase the nutrient content of your milk at least slightly but choosing healthy foods. I tried to eat a high intake of fruits and vegetables, beans, hearty whole grains, healthy fats, and fish.
Lastly, be diligent about your hydration. Drink lots of water! I often felt wiped out after a nursing because it seemed like everything I had (energy, fuel, water) had just left my body. Staying hydrated helped me overcome this feeling. Consuming small amounts of caffeine seems to be ok (from research) while breast feeding, but check with your doctor first.
Caroline, I hope this helps!
Reference: www.kellymom.com
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