Postpartum New Mom 101: Everything You Need To Know About The Postpartum Diet
Becoming a mom is the most life-changing experience in the most unexpected ways. When you become a mom, you expect sleepless nights, crying, and always holding the baby. But, what you do not expect is how much having a baby affects your eating habits (especially when Breastfeeding). You are constantly feeding the baby that you forget to feed yourself. When breastfeeding, you provide your baby milk every two to three hours, sometimes more frequently when your child is going through a sleep regression. We are so consumed with the baby and our other children eating (because we all know that toddlers are also picky eaters) that we forget to eat.
As a new mom, you have a million things to worry about; the last thing you need is another. But understanding the postpartum diet can help ensure your body gets everything it needs to heal and recover from giving birth. Hence, it’s worth taking the time to learn more. Here’s what new moms should know about eating after birth, or the postpartum diet.
Introduction to the Postpartum Diet
Postpartum is tricky because we are trying to lose the rest of the baby’s weight to return to our pre-pregnancy bodies. Yet, we have many restrictions since we are not supposed to work out until our midwives or doctors clear us. Also, we are constantly snacking because we need something to grab and go so we can dedicate our time to caring for our little ones. Eating three square meals with a newborn is unlikely, especially when your support group is not around.
Therefore, our mental health can be negatively affected due to exercise restrictions and not having a balanced diet. Exercise gives us energy, stimulates our minds, and positively impacts our mood. The same thing happens with food consumption. If we choose healthy food choices, we can experience those same side effects from exercising.
Often, we snack A LOT. We pick up the quickest thing we can think of that will satisfy us while our babies nap for like 10 minutes (or at least that is what it feels like), and we can find time for ourselves. When doing this, we often pick up an unhealthy snack or something with no nutritional value. This does not benefit our little ones or us.
The Basics of a Postpartum Diet When it comes to eating after giving birth, the basics are essential. Eating enough healthy foods is necessary to keep your energy levels and help your body heal. Eating well will also help you maintain a healthy weight, which many new moms struggle with within the months following delivery.
What to Eat During the Postpartum Period
A well-balanced diet is essential since the first few weeks of giving birth, you will only be able to exercise once given a doctor’s order. Therefore, having a balanced diet is essential for your mental health. Making sure you eat the right food can provide energy, stimulate the mind, and positively affect your mood. Ensure you get enough lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Pay particular attention to hydration—drinking plenty of water throughout the day will help keep you feeling full, energized, and hydrated.
Vitamins and Supplements Your body has been through a lot during pregnancy and childbirth—and sometimes it needs extra support during recovery. A good prenatal vitamin should contain all the vitamins and minerals you need for post-birth healing. But if you’re still feeling depleted or exhausted afterward, consider adding some additional supplements such as omega-3 fatty acids or probiotics into your diet as well.
Eating for Breastfeeding If you plan on breastfeeding your baby, then it’s essential to ensure that your postpartum diet provides enough nutrients for you and your baby. A breastfeeding mom needs an extra 500 calories per day, so make sure that those calories come from nutrient-dense foods rather than more processed foods.
Foods to Avoid After Giving Birth
Also, be mindful of caffeine intake if Breastfeeding because too much can affect a baby’s sleep patterns and cause irritability with a child’s digestion. Dairy products are also something you should limit. Too much milk, butter, eggs, and cheese will also cause your child to feel irritable and it may also cause an increase in baby acne.
Staying Hydrated
And lastly, remember that hydration is critical while breastfeeding! Water helps maintain your milk supply. If you are dehydrated, you may also experience a deep in your milk supply. Drinking plenty of fluid can also help with losing some of the water weight that may still be retained from pregnancy.
Taking care of yourself Mama Self-Care after childbirth is just as important as taking care of your baby! A nutritious postpartum diet will help nourish your body and mind while providing essential vitamins and minerals for you and your little one. Be sure to focus on eating plenty of nutrient-rich whole foods while avoiding processed snacks or beverages containing high amounts of caffeine or alcohol. By following the postpartum diet tips, new moms will be sure to find success during this particular time in their lives!
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