Nutritionally speaking, breastfeeding is a critical period for both you and your baby, because the quality of breast milk depends entirely on your lifestyle and what you eat. Hard? Yes. The pace of life that we currently have and the need that a woman has to continue with her working life after pregnancy can prevent her from covering all her requirements through food. So that it is not another issue of concern for you, there are multivitamins that can help you complement your needs.
Multivitamins are a complement
If you want to give your baby breast milk as an exclusive food, you must first make sure that you are a healthy woman with an adequate state of nutrition, because it will depend on you that the nutrients the newborn receives are of optimum quality.
Did you know that these nutrients give your baby protection against infections, even after the first year of life?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that breastfeeding women take a prenatal vitamin or multivitamin on a daily basis, taking into account that this does not replace a healthy diet, it is only to ensure the consumption of vitamins and minerals important for this stage, among them are: calcium, vitamin D, iron and folic acid. An option that covers this function is Elevit.
Recommendations to improve your nutrition
A healthy diet is all you need to maintain an adequate milk supply. That's why we leave you some recommendations to achieve it.
Proteins in each meal: Proteins are like the bricks in your house; that is, they are the structure of your whole body and that of your baby. For these bricks to form correctly, you must consume high quality protein.
Remember that a meal is not complete if it does not contain them, so you should include breakfast, lunch and dinner: egg, lean meats, poultry or fish, trying to consume the latter at least once a week. Salmon and tuna are sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which contribute to the growth of the baby's brain.
Get hydrated enough: You need at least two liters of water a day. This will favor the production of breast milk, but it will also help you prevent constipation and fluid retention.
Fruits and vegetables of different color: Remember that each color of fruit or vegetable provides different vitamins and minerals, so you should vary the colors and not always consume the same. At least five servings of vegetables a day are necessary to meet your fiber requirements.
Avoid caffeine and alcohol: Moderate coffee consumption can be safe for the baby, try to drink it only if you crave a lot and, maximum, one cup a day. What you should avoid completely is alcohol, as it is known that it does pass into breast milk, so it is not advisable to consume it.
The proper development of your baby is the most important and your body will do everything possible to give you a nutritious and complete milk. However, to avoid that you suffer any deficiency it is necessary for a nutritionist to guide you in order to take care of each aspect of a correct diet. If you consider it relevant, you can recommend the intake of a multivitamin, such as the one mentioned Elevit, because it can help cover all the nutrients that your little one requires at this stage.
