DO’s And DON’Ts for Breastfeeding Mummies

 

New mothers have surely been bombarded with advice telling them, “Eat this, don’t eat that, avoid this food, don’t do that…” and more. The list of breastfeeding dos and don’ts is endless, and you are no longer sure what works and what doesn’t. Such is the life of a new mother. It can be confusing to know what is good or bad for your body as you prepare to breastfeed.

Don’t worry; this article will give you guidelines on what to do and avoid. Read on for insights on the Do’s and Don’ts for breastfeeding mothers.

DOs

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Do follow a well-balanced diet

When lactating, your focus should be on a balanced diet. Eat food from all the food groups and in their right portions. Catering companies that sell Chinese confinement food in Singapore has all these food on their menus, and in the suggested serving methods.

If you are not sure how to prepare and balance the ideal food for breastfeeding mother, confinement food catering services have suggestions on what meals to eat during each mealtime.

At Tian Wei, we have an in-house dietitian and award-winning chef who crafted the best menu for breastfeeding mothers. The food selection will help you get significant nutrients necessary for repair of worn-out tissues and health, as well as boosting your lactation.

Do take adequate rest

During breastfeeding, you may find it difficult to rest, especially during the first three months after childbirth. Unfortunately, that’s the time when you need to rest adequately to allow your body to heal. It is also a period to establish the bond with your child. 

Sleep deprivation will affect milk production and put you at risk of postpartum depression. If you have little time to spare at night, sleep during the day. It is advisable to hire a confinement nanny who can take the time to nurse your baby with your bottled breast milk as you catch some sleep. She can prepare some of the best confinement food for mothers for your meals to facilitate healing and also boost milk production.

Do drink plenty of water

When breastfeeding, this is your number one rule. You need to stay hydrated at all times to ensure optimal bodily functions. Additionally, the water will boost your milk supply. If you wish to add some flavour to your drinks, try non-acidic organic fruit juices. Soups are also a good hydration option, but it’s mostly considered a meal and should not be a replacement for the water.

DON’Ts

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Don’t switch your breast before the baby empties one side

Don’t eat foods that affect your baby

The kind of food you eat may have a direct impact on your baby which is why you should try to find out food to avoid during breastfeeding Singapore moms normally stay away from. For instance, alcohol drinks should be avoided completely, if not planned wisely before consumption to minimize alcohol exposure to infants via breast milk. If you choose to drink every now and then especially during festive occasions with family, it is best for breastfeeding mothers to only nurse at least 3 to 4 hours after consuming 1 standard drink as alcohol takes about 3 to 4 hours to metabolize and subside in concentration in the blood, thus minimizing alcohol leak into the breast milk. 

Drinking too much coffee may also not be good for the baby. It will affect breast milk, and your baby will ingest caffeine into their system. This can cause them to act fussier due to inability to sleep. 

Don’t skip meals and drinks

During confinement, there is a misconception that new mothers should drink less to prevent water retention from worsening. Not only is this a false notion muddying the waters of dos and don’ts of breastfeeding, but it can also harm yourself. When nursing, you are more prone to experiencing dehydration and extreme thirst. It is extremely crucial for you to keep yourself well-fed and hydrated at all times. Dehydration can lead to constipation and mothers feeling easily fatigue too. 

On top of that, your body will burn up to 500 calories per day to produce sufficient milk for your little one. This means you will use up a lot of energy for it too. To keep you energised to breastfeed and attend to your little one, it is best if you focus on eating healthily (and having specialised confinement food for breastfeeding sure can’t hurt your chances there).

You have to be healthy to take care of your baby. Remember to keep yourself in good health as much as possible so your baby can be breastfed consistently. As you get advice from all the people around you, why not use the above tips as your guidelines?