Breast Feeding: Building a healthy baby
Breast feeding is an important part of the pregnancy/birthing process, and offers the best way to nourish your little bundle of joy.
It is not only a caloric and fluid outlet, helping mother re-attain her pre-pregnancy weight, it is often vital to her emotional and psychological well being and to the bonding with the new baby. In addition, the hormone released during breastfeeding, oxytocin, helps to contract the uterus back to normal size and health.
Increase caloric intake. What most new mothers don’t know is that caloric requirements actually increase during the lactation phase. Keep in mind; you are trying to grow a healthy baby whose main food source is what you supply to them. An infant requires approximately 2-3 ounces of breast milk per pound of body weight. Therefore, a 7 lb. baby will require on average, 18 ounces of breast milk per day. The more baby grows, the more they will require. Each ounce of breast milk contains about 20 calories, so mother will be giving out 300-400 calories per day initially.
Many mothers will decrease their own caloric intake immediately after giving birth in an attempt to lose weight. This is never recommended as not only will insufficient calories be provided to the baby to support development, baby will start to “rob” mother of her own much needed nutrient supply. Many cases of dental issues, and mineral depletion (bone density) in mothers originate at this stage. Mothers should naturally lose weight during breastfeeding, and can lessen their caloric intake as they lessen the level of nursing.
The key ingredient in breast milk is water. A minimum of 3 litres of fluids should be consumed daily to provide sufficient hydration to the infant. This can be in the form of; pure, filtered water; 100% pure fruit juices; or, herbal teas.
Protein is essential for the development of the baby, and therefore higher levels of clean proteins should be consumed. Not only do they get used as a building material for the infant, they get broken down into amino acids, which then can become chemical messengers within the body, such as hormones. These hormones are essential not only for the baby but also for the mother as they are responsible for processes such as: milk production, milk let down, and relaxation.
Nutrient dense foods should also be a key component of Mothers diet as it is the preferred source for baby to draw from. Vitamins A and C, Zinc, and iodine are needed in higher levels, however the requirements for folic acid decrease by approximately 25% as the mothers blood volume decreases. An increase in B-vitamins is beneficial as they will assist in dealing with the stress associated with sleep deprivation and be readily available for the body to use in the production of energy. It must be noted however that high doses of certain B-vitamins can actually reduce breast milk production so consultation with a Nutritional Consultant is recommended.
Proper nourishment is essential for both mother and baby. Remember, the foods and supplements that mother consumes provides the nutrients in her breast milk and thus her baby’s nutrition. Seek advice from a Nutritional Consultant for nutrient requirements and suggested sources.
If breast milk production is still not enough, safe formula recipes can be provided to you from a Certified Nutritionist.
To learn more about your individual nutritional requirements, or those of your children, contact:
SpiritSong Nutrition Inc.
647-520-8998
garry@spiritsongnutrition.com
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