fbpx

Tips for Your Postpartum Diet

March 29, 2020

After giving birth, new moms are often cautious about what they eat. Nursing moms are especially concerned with the types of foods and beverages they consume, since they don’t want to transmit unhealthy substances to their newborns through breastmilk. However, making major diet changes right after having a baby can be unpleasant and sometimes do more harm than good. Moms in the postpartum stage require more calories than usual, especially when breastfeeding.1 The last thing moms should do is throw off natural bodily processes by depriving themselves of needed nutrients. Instead, new mothers should consider the following dietary tips and discuss their concerns with their health care professional.

Diversify Your Diet

Health care professionals generally do not recommend eliminating specific types of food, unless you have diet-related medical issues. The most important part of maintaining a healthy postpartum diet is to make sure you’re eating a variety of health foods.1 Try to eat a balanced diet of proteins, grains, fruits and veggies instead of following a restrictive diet that eliminates specific choices.

Consume with Caution

Although you likely won’t have to eliminate specific foods from your postpartum diet, there are some foods and beverages that should be consumed in moderation:

  • Seafood
  • Caffeine
  • Alcohol

Since nearly all types of seafood contains small amounts of mercury, postpartum and breastfeeding mothers should follow the guidelines of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  The guidelines include eating a variety of fish; if you eat fresh-caught fish, check local fish advisories; and limit your servings based on their “good” and “best” choices chart (available online.)2

Caffeine, which is an addictive stimulant, may contribute to fussiness, poor sleeping patterns and jitteriness in nursing infants. However, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that caffeine transmitted through breastmilk usually does not cause adverse effects in infants when the mother consumes low to moderate amounts (about two to three cups of coffee daily.)1

As for alcohol, many postpartum mothers look forward to having their first glass after abstaining for nine months. Just be cautious when you do imbibe. Your tolerance is likely to have dropped significantly, so your body may metabolize it differently now.

You also should keep the timing of feedings in mind if you are breastfeeding your baby and want to indulge in the occasional drink. Although having an alcoholic drink once or twice a week is usually fine, its best to refrain from consuming alcohol when nursing. A good rule of thumb is once you no longer feel the effects of alcohol, it’s safe to start nursing your baby.5

Stay Hydrated

There’s a reason it’s called labor. Your body will work extremely hard during the birth process, which means you’re going to sweat … a lot! You’ll likely be hooked up to an IV to get fluids while you’re in the hospital, but you should make sure you’re drinking more fluids once you go home. Water is always a good choice, but you can also give your body extra fluid by consuming things such as soups and broths, cucumbers, watermelon, grapefruit, cottage cheese and plain yogurt.3

Boost Your Iron Intake

Some amount of blood loss is normal during childbirth. So paying attention to your body’s iron needs postpartum can help you feel stronger and healthier. Iron is a nutrient that is essential for blood production, so consuming iron-rich foods after having a baby can be beneficial. While you might not feel up to a T-bone steak after giving birth, you could try lighter, iron-rich snacks to help ease you back into your appetite. Beef jerky, pumpkin seeds and even dark chocolate are good sources of iron.4

Incorporate a Vitamin Postpartum

Healing from labor and delivery and recovering from pregnancy put extra demands on your body. Breastfeeding requires even more energy and calories. Support your health and your baby’s development by talking with your doctor about ensuring you get the proper nutrients through diet and from supplements.

The nutrition required in the third trimester is similar to postpartum for mothers who breastfeed. You still need 1,000 mg of folate, extra vitamin D, and calcium.6 New moms may also want to supplement with biotin to support healthy hair and nail growth.7

The Prenate® Family Line of Prenatal Vitamins offers a wide selection of nutritional supplements that are specially formulated with the needs of new mothers in mind. Prenate® Restore is a prenatal vitamin with probiotics as well as folate, vitamin D and calcium. It is designed for postpartum and breastfeeding but also is appropriate to take during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about choosing a supplement that’s right for you and your baby during this important time. From prenatal nutrition to postpartum and nursing, there’s likely a Prenate® vitamin supplement that will work for you.

Connect with Prenate®

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

WARNING: Accidental overdose of iron-containing products is a leading cause of fatal poisoning in children under 6. Keep this product out of reach of children. In case of accidental overdose, call a doctor or poison control center immediately.

WARNING: Ingestion of more than 3 grams of omega-3 fatty acids (such as DHA) per day has been shown to have potential antithrombotic effects, including an increased bleeding time and International Normalized Ratio (INR). Administration of omega-3 fatty acids should be avoided in patients taking anticoagulants and in those known to have an inherited or acquired predisposition to bleeding.

This site and its contents are an information resource only, and are neither intended to nor should be used in replacement of your doctor or other prescribing professional’s medical guidance, recommendations or advice. Neither this site nor its information should be used or relied upon for any diagnostic, medical, treatment, nutritional or other purpose. All aspects of pregnancy, including whether pregnancy is right for you, and the nourishment and care of your child, should be made with your doctor and other appropriate medical professional, and in consideration of your and your child’s particular medical history. Avion Pharmaceuticals, LLC (“Avion”) makes no representation, warranty or other undertaking that this site or its information are appropriate for you or your child’s specific needs or issues, and further expressly disclaims all damages, losses, injuries or liability whatsoever incurred or alleged to have been incurred in consequence of your reliance on the information on this site. Avion does not endorse any test, procedure, treatment, remedy, therapy, cure, nutritional regimen, method or other activity or undertaking that you and/or your doctor or other medical professional may elect or recommend. By visiting this site you agree to these terms and conditions and acknowledge that you have read and understand the same. These terms and conditions, together with any information on this site, may be amended, restated or otherwise changed from time to time and at any time by Avion within the sole, absolute and uncontrolled exercise of its discretion. You acknowledge and agree that Avion has no duty or obligation to keep you informed of any amendments to, restatements of or other changes to these terms and conditions or this site, and that you are solely and exclusively responsible for apprising yourself of the same.

Pin It on Pinterest