6 important tips for healthy breastfeeding

Breast milk is a healthy option for the baby as it contains just the right amount of nutrients and will help in boosting your baby’s immune system. However, if you want toget the most out of breastfeeding, it is important as a new mom to take care of yourselfand your body so that your baby can be healthy as well!

When you are breast-feeding you might need some extra calories, around 400-500 calories a day, in order to keep up your energy. Go for more nutrient-rich options suchas yogurt, a medium apple or banana, a slice of whole-grain bread with a tablespoon ofpeanut better, which will help in keeping your energy levels high!Include an adequate amount of protein and vitamins in your dietDuring the time you are breastfeeding, it is a good idea to have lean meat, dairy, eggs,lentils, beans and seafood but make sure that the seafood you have is without mercuryas that can prove to be harmful for the child. Whole grains, fruits and vegetables shouldalso be a part of your daily diet intake. Just make sure you wash your fruits andvegetables well to get rid of any pesticide residue that may be present on them. Youcan also take vitamin supplements to ensure that you and your baby are getting all therequired vitamins.

Increase Your Fluid Intake

Even when you are breastfeeding, keep a glass of water nearby so that you end uptaking water regularly. However, you should avoid having juices or sugary drinks as thatwould not help you in losing pregnancy weight. Also, avoid caffeine as it will get mixedwith your breast milk which can interfere with the sleep of your baby and make yourbaby feel agitated.

Sleep Properly

Being a new mom means you will endure long sleepless nights and find yourself wakingup in the middle of the night quite frequently to breastfeed your baby. This is not healthyfor you as you will find yourself feeling lethargic and being unable to take adequate careof your baby and yourself. Try sleeping when your baby sleeps so that you can the rightamount of sleep as well!

Avoid Smoking

If you smoke during breast-feeding there is a high risk of your baby getting exposed tonicotine as it can get mixed with your breast milk and this can then interfere with yourbaby’s sleep. Second hand smoke is also harmful for your newborn baby and increasesthe risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Don’t Introduce The Pacifier Yet

Babies like sucking on something and that is why many moms tend to introduce thepacifier at an early age to soothe the baby. However, this might interfere with thebreast-feeding process as sucking on a pacifier is quite different from sucking on thebreast and may confuse the child. Let the child get used to breast-feeding first, at leastthree to four weeks after the baby is born, and then you can introduce the pacifier.