Diet and Feeding Pattern
Diet recommendations during lactation include:
- The diet should include plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables, milk and milk products, pulses, nuts, whole grains, eggs to provide all extra vitamins, minerals, protein and energy.
- Intake of fluids should be enough as they are essential for adequate milk production. Consumption of fluids in the form of juices, buttermilk, milk, milk-based beverages, and plain water has to be taken care of.
- The number of meals should be increased to meet nutritional needs. Food should also be eaten between meals. Thus, the feeding pattern should include 5 to 7 small nutrient dense meals through the day.
- Highly spiced and strongly flavored foods should be avoided as they impart flavor to the milk, which may be repulsive to the baby.
- Additional amounts of fat provide energy, vitamin A and vitamin D.
- Mothers can take special energy-protein-calcium dense foods like special laddoos (with methi seeds, saunth, til seeds). These foods, called as “galactogogues,” are learnt to increase milk production.
- Weight gain is important to be monitored. Around the time when baby is switched over to other food, the mother need to gradually reduce her calorie intake. Otherwise, chances of excessive weight gain are more.
- All emotional problems and anxiety should be avoided. The mother should keep herself happy and stress free.
- All drugs reach the baby through breast milk; so before taking any medicine, the mother needs to consult a doctor.
- The mother should completely abstain from alcohol and smoking, since it can reach the baby through breast milk.
