| With the plethora of advice available on the internet | | | | carbohydrates proteins and the vitamins and minerals |
| relating to giving birth it would be easy for new | | | | you require. You should try and eat plenty of fruit |
| moms to become overwhelmed with information | | | | and veg as well as whole grains and cereals and |
| regarding breastfeeding and diet. Breastfeeding is | | | | foods that contain calcium and iron. This will help you |
| hard enough anyway - you've just given birth after | | | | produce great milk and should help you lose weight |
| being pregnant for 9 months, your whole world has | | | | as you're eating healthy foods. If you're desperate to |
| been turned upside down and you have a screaming | | | | lose weight then still eat a balanced range of foods |
| child demanding food every 2-3 hours. Firstly let me | | | | just try not to eat 'empty' calories. |
| say congratulations and I sincerely wish you the very | | | | It is recommended that you don't eat swordfish or |
| best and most special times with the new addition to | | | | consume large amounts of tuna as these can be |
| your family. Secondly, and I know this might not be | | | | contaminated with mercury. Alcohol should be limited |
| the easiest, is try not to panic about every aspect | | | | to 1 or 2 drinks a day and should be consumed just |
| of bringing up your child - there are no hard and fast | | | | after a feed. Water is hugely important and you |
| rules as each of us is unique. Following some | | | | should consume at least 8 glasses a day. Always |
| guidelines should work well for most people but there | | | | having a glass of water nearby to sip from is a |
| are always exceptions and if you or your baby aren't | | | | recommended tip - constantly sipping should prevent |
| happy with something then you should look for | | | | dehydration and it will also do wonders for your skin! |
| alternatives. This is especially true when it comes to | | | | If you can avoid caffeine drinks and if you can't limit |
| breastfeeding - whether it's the position that your | | | | their intake. |
| using or the foods that you're consuming. | | | | There are some foods that may cause colic - |
| Most moms are anxious to lose the weight gained | | | | broccoli, brussels sprouts and cows milk. Strongly |
| during pregnancy and this is understandable - you | | | | flavoured food such as curry may change the way |
| want to get back into your old jeans as quickly as | | | | that your milk tastes and may put your baby off |
| possible! It's advisable that you don't follow a 'diet' for | | | | your milk or make them irritable. |
| the first few weeks and this makes sense anyway - | | | | As I said at the start there aren't any hard or fast |
| why put yourself under the added stress when you | | | | rules - just general guidelines that you may find |
| have enough on your plate? Watching what you eat | | | | useful. You may be able to eat the hottest curry |
| however is something that you can do right from the | | | | without any problems or you may find your baby |
| start. | | | | protests at the mildest of spices or a single cup of |
| Let me explain the difference; normally diets involve | | | | coffee. |
| restricting calorific intake or removing certain food | | | | The thing I would urge you to bear in mind is that |
| types from your diet. This isn't advisable when | | | | breastfeeding really is the best thing that you can do |
| breastfeeding as your body is producing food for | | | | for your child - helping them in so many ways and |
| your baby and needs a well-balanced diet. Losing | | | | for so many reasons. Sure there's going to be times |
| weight too quickly may mean that your milk supply | | | | when you're pulling your hair out or are so tired that |
| dries up and your baby won't get the amount of milk | | | | you can hardly open your eyes but the benefits are |
| he or she needs. Typically you can lose 1-2 pounds a | | | | so huge I urge you to stick with it as long as you |
| week without any effect on your milk - again people | | | | possibly can. Over time it will become easier, you'll |
| are different but this is a good guideline. The great | | | | both get to know each other and will settle into the |
| news is that breastfeeding actually helps you lose | | | | routines that you've created. You'll then be able to |
| weight anyway! | | | | enjoy the magical experiences of introducing our |
| You should eat a balanced diet that incorporates | | | | baby to the wonders of the world around them. |