Avoid snacking between meals, bite a fruit and some nuts here and there before meals and the list goes on. There is so much contradicting information out there, on what a postpartum mother should eat or avoid. You are not sure which food to eat or avoid, what is good for the baby, how to plan your meals among other worries.
Others will tell you to eat loads of food so that your baby can get adequate nutrients. With such kind of confusion and craze, you may find yourself lost and not sure where to start your meal plan. You aren’t sure which rules to follow and which ones to ignore.
You may even avoid some food, thinking it will hurt your baby or slow down your healing process. While it is important to exercise extreme caution during your postpartum period, overdoing it will deny you important nutrients. With these six rules, you can do no wrong as you are possibly following the best postpartum diet!
Stay Away From Carbonated Drinks
You will require adequate fluids to stay hydrated and facilitate milk production. Water is not the best of drinks, especially for many people. Its tasteless nature puts many people off and would rather do without it.
Others quench their thirst with carbonated drinks such as sodas and processed fruit juices. If you want to enjoy your postpartum period, stay away from such drinks. Having carbonated drinks while breastfeeding shouldn’t be a problem for your problem, but it may make you feel bloated, thus causing you to drink lesser throughout the day. In that sense, it is best to avoid them!
Plus, you should be focusing on foods that will help you dispel the air from your system. Carbonated drinks will increase the amount of air, causing other discomforts and you may constipate more often. Fresh fruit juices are an excellent source of fluids but, not a substitute. Red dates teas are the best choice!
Say No to Extreme Diets
After pregnancy, your body will feel foreign to you. You might wonder why your clothes don’t fit, or why you look heavier than before. Such thoughts may force you to start looking for unorthodox ways to shed weight such as going on a postpartum diet to lose weight.
Relax, mama! Your weight should be the least of your worries. Remember, you are lactating and your baby needs all the nutrients she can get. Dieting will reduce the amount of milk, and the baby will not have an adequate supply. The best part is, you will lose the excess weight in no time and breastfeeding can tremendously help with it too!
Go for Small Regular Portions
Though weight should not worry you, eating like there is no tomorrow will not help you either. The rule here is to eat regular small portions of food throughout the day. If you eat in excess, your body will take whatever is needed for the period and store the rest as fat. Surely you wouldn’t want to gain weight so fast! Eating small portions of food at intervals will give your system adequate time to absorb the food and your gut will not be overwhelmed. You will also not experience any hunger pangs.
Practise a Well-Balanced Diet
Breast milk contains all the nutrients that your baby needs and in the right proportions. This is quite comforting for you. You do not have to worry about preparing meals from all food classes every other day. Though that’s true of breastmilk, your dietary lapses will have a direct impact on your baby.
If you aren’t getting enough nutrients, the quality and quantity of breast milk will drop. If your body lacks sufficient nutrients from your diet, it will draw from the reserves leaving yours with nutritional deficiencies. Confinement food catering companies can help you make all the foods you need. Look for a reliable source and dial for deliveries. You will enjoy savoury meals without worrying about the dishes.
Avoid Caffeine and Opt for Soups
You will feel thirsty quite often because of breastfeeding. You will feel sleepy especially if you do not have adequate time to rest. This may tempt you to go for stimulants such as caffeine to help you stay awake.
A cup of morning coffee is not such a bad choice but not the best either. The caffeine, no matter how small will end up in breastmilk and consequently in your baby’s system if you immediately nurse afterwards.
Instead of the caffeine, opt for some of the best Chinese confinement food. Some of them include chicken and mushroom soups. Start your day with such soups, and you will have the energy for your roles.
Take Supplements
Your nanny must be preparing the right food for confinement period while observing all your dietary needs. However, some of the nutrients especially those from vegetables may be lost during the cooking process. Supplements such as calcium and iron are essential for your system. They will help you meet all your dietary needs for a functional system. However, note that these supplements are not a substitute for your food. Combine them with your diet, and you will have a complete meal.
It is vital to eat healthy during your confinement period. With a well-nourished body, you can provide quality milk for your baby. If you are not sure of what diet to take, talk to a nutritionist!
