For first time mothers, the decision to breast feed or bottle feed is a challenging one. Most mothers base the decision off what is best for their children. While both have their pros and cons, the one thing that first time mothers must bear in mind is that breastfeeding requires more attention to the foods they eat. Here are some things to bear in mind.
Avoiding Stimulants
Caffeine and drugs are obviously out of the picture for most mothers. Even first time mothers know that it’s important to avoid these. They are passed through the milk into the baby, and they can keep the baby awake for hours on end. Alcohol should be avoided for the same reasons.
However, most first time moms don’t realize that sugar can also serve as a stimulant. Fromdiaper cake to chocolate cake, sugar can cause as many problems for breast feeding mothers as coffee and cocaine. The reason that it causes problems is the same reason that toddlers and children get hyped up on sugar. This is hard for most moms to accept since sugar forms the base for most of the comfort foods moms love. However, if you find that your baby is fussy and not sleeping, then you may need to cut out the sugar. The sensitivity of your child determines how much you have to eliminate. Some mothers have to cut out virtually all carbohydrates for a time, but this is not the case for most women.
Increasing Protein
Producing milk is hard work. You can burn hundreds of calories, but those calories have to come from some place. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, the best thing that a first time mother can do to ensure her milk is nutritious enough is to increase her consumption of healthy proteins. Eating healthy proteins does not mean that you get to pile on the bacon. Lean and healthy proteins are key. Proteins with omega 3 fatty acids are also good choices. They will make you feel fuller, but they will provide more nutritious milk. They will also help keep you from feeling quite as exhausted.
Nuts like walnuts are considered some of the best for first time breastfeeding mothers. According to Prevention, walnuts provide an essential boost of protein that also helps benefit the brain. Breastfeeding fog sometimes develops in some women. This is a sensation that comes from being under-nourished and still supplying all of your baby’s needs.
Increasing Leafy Greens
Detoxification has been quite a hot topic lately. For most breast feeding moms, the best solution is not to turn to an expensive detoxification process but rather to load up on leafy greens. While it’s important to get lots of protein, getting plenty of greens is equally important. Leafy greens include high levels of antioxidants, fiber, and other key ingredients that let your body cleanse itself. These won’t cause problems with your breastfeeding, and they won’t keep your baby awake after breastfeeding. “Green and Leafy Superfoods” recommends breastfeeding mothers consume between five and eight cups of leafy greens a day if possible.
