More than 90 percent of women start out breast-feeding their babies but only 21 percent of them continue it up to six months and more. Various government and non-profit organizations are working hard to get this number higher and believe that women should understand that breast-feeding is a bonding between a mother and a child.
Importance Of Breast-feeding Diet
Breast milk has good gut bacteria that strengthens the immunity of the child and provides the child with protein, carbs and brain boosting fatty acids naturally for their growth. It has digestive proteins, vitamins and minerals and also the antibodies that help fight disease. The best nursed child may escape eczema, digestive woes, allergies and respiratory diseases and also obesity, diabetes and tooth decay. Breast-feeding is a natural process but for some cases it becomes a bit problematic. Mothers who are practicing maternal breast-feeding take care of their diet to stay fit and healthy during these precious days.
Nutritional Benefits
Breast-feeding mothers should not worry a lot about their diet; they don’t need to apply major changes in their diet when they are nursing the child. Among the various wonders of breast milk, it provides enough nutrition the child even when the mother is not eating perfectly. The mother should not skip her food, however, or have occasional dietary laps just because it won’t harm the baby. They should remember that when they don’t get nutrients from the food, their body will draw to its reserves. Breast-feeding is not the only responsibility of a mother to a newborn; they also have to carry them.
What Should Be There In The Breast-feed Diet?
While a mother is breast-feeding, they should insist on getting the right balance of food that includes:
- Protein
- Calcium
- Vitamin C
- Yellow fruits and vegetables
- Iron rich food
- Green leafy vegetables
- Whole grain
- DHA rich food (it promotes brain growth)
- Water and juices
- Whole grain
- Concentrated complex carbohydrates
While there is a good list of nutrition that the mother should take, there are foods that a breast-feeding mother should avoid. Mothers that provide nursing to the child should avoid the intake of alcoholic drinks, caffeinated drinks and also high-mercury fish such as mackerel, shark and tilefish.
By Titus Kivite
Africa Global News Publication
