Hi, I'm after some recommended diets (not the lose weight kind) that support breast feeding.
I'm feeding DS who is currently just over five months and I feel I could significantly improve my diet to provide more nutritional support to both of us. I've been a bit naughty, often reaching reaching for the quick fix, high kilojoule options (meet my good friend chocolate!), but I know I need to do better than that.
Any recommendations for diets/websites that have specific diets for those breastfeeding?
Hello! look for high energy yet filling foods, such as including lots of protein, healthy fats found in nuts, tuna, salmon, avocado etc, whole grains in your bread, cereal etc, and full fat dairy all the way.
When DD2 was that age I was following the Healthy Mummy program. It is primarily for weight loss (I had 30kgs to lose) but they also show you what to do for maintenance. I know many (including me lol) are going to promote just healthy, whole foods but at that time with 3 littlies I needed something to 'follow'.
Now though I try and eat as fresh and as basic as possible without denying my love of cooking/eating. If I'm feeling a bit funky I record what I eat for a few days via calorie king or my fitness pal and try and gauge my macro or larger nutrient content to make sure I'm getting enough of what I need. I also try to eat lots of good oils (nuts/avo/oily fish) and plenty of protein.
I also use a magazine a lot called the Australian Healthy Food Guide. Great recipes that are reasonably quick, easy and cheap.
Hi,
Any healthy, well-balanced diet will do you just fine. Lactation is a pretty nifty system and even malnourished mothers are able to sustain their babies with breast milk - though they'd no doubt be better off with more and better food. If you're on a restricted diet, or lacking in certain minerals, etc, then you may want to talk to your health carer about supplements.
I would be very wary of taking breastfeeding advice from Weston A Price.
Some people in the WAPF are kooky and tainted by the american culture and do give bad breastfeeding advice but the actual foundation has great information and follows the practices of traditional cultures (which generally all practice full term breastfeeding and tandem feeding when those ages cross over). The diet serves to provide the mother with all she needs to remain healthy herself while her body is giving over nutrients to her baby and you receive much better nutritional support from food than supplements.
I second what MadB says. You don’t need to do anything special for breastfeeding. (and don’t let anyone tell you any different) Just a normal healthy diet is fine. You can breastfeed just fine on chocolate - many of us are living proof. It won’t affect your milk supply, but you will feel less than tip top!
I should think a healthy diet should be fine with lots of fruit, veggies, seeds, nuts and meat
As for vitD its easy enough to get if you get you and bub out for a walk everyday which is also good for you physically and mentally
Diet to support breastfeeding
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