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Maybe during feeding. Diet of a nursing mother - first month

What can a nursing mother eat? Both her health and the health and development of the newborn depend on the nutrition of the mother during lactation. A nursing mother can and should eat varied and full-fledged: after gestation and childbirth, the body requires resources for recovery, and the process of lactation, the production of breast milk, directly depends on a sufficient diet and volume of drinking. Most mothers who think about nutrition during breastfeeding evaluate their menu based on the baby's reaction. But such assessments are often quite subjective: the infant's behavior does not always correlate with the mother's menu. What can and should be included in your diet during lactation, and which products should be treated with caution?

The Scientific Basics of Formulating a Diet for a Nursing Mother

Breast milk is optimal nutrition for all babies. It contains ideally balanced trace elements, nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for a child, as well as maternal antibodies that provide protection against various diseases.
The composition of breast milk directly depends on the mother's diet, which is confirmed by studies. Fluctuations in the concentration of fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements in the chemical composition of this biological fluid are associated with their presence in the mother's diet, as well as the penetration of alcohol, the active substances of certain medications, and nicotine resin compounds into milk.

The diet of a nursing mother is primarily composed of those foods that must be included in the diet. These are basic meals and liquids that provide a healthy and nutritious diet. What can and should not be eaten depends largely on the individual characteristics and reactions of the mother and child, as well as the rate of maturation of the gastrointestinal tract, immune and nervous systems of the newborn.

There are three basic food categories that should be avoided during breastfeeding. Depending on the composition of the product, they can negatively affect both the mother's body and the well-being and health of the baby.

Common allergen-containing foods

It is optimal during the period of gestation and feeding of a child to refrain from vegetables and fruits that do not grow within a radius of 300 km from the main place of residence of the family. This is due to the adaptive abilities of living organisms: the usual food does not cause rejection, allergic reactions, the gastrointestinal tract, when it is received, functions as usual.

When exotic or off-season fruits, vegetables and berries appear in the diet, allergic reactions are possible both in the mother due to the weakening of the body in the postpartum period, and in the child. Despite the fact that during intrauterine development, children do not eat food and nutrients come through the umbilical cord with the blood flow in a split form, the fetus's body adapts to the basic trace elements. When new products appear in the maternal diet, the infant's body may begin to respond with the production of histamines, dysfunctions of the gastrointestinal tract.

The most common cause of allergic reactions when fruits, vegetables and berries are included in the mother's diet are their "exoticism". For the same reason, an allergy is possible when eating seafood if the family lives far from the sea. When using non-seasonal fruits and berries, allergies are possible associated with the treatment of their surface with chemicals for transportation from remote regions or other countries.

Individual allergens

It is categorically impossible to include allergenic foods in your diet, even with a mild reaction of the mother or in her absence at the moment, but a history of allergy identified.
With a diagnosed allergy, it is necessary to remember about cross-allergens, while, for example, in case of an allergic reaction to alder and birch pollen, the products-allergens will include the fruits of the nightshade family (tomatoes), mushrooms, as well as antibiotics of the penicillin series.

The tendency to allergic reactions can be inherited, and the use of allergens can provoke an early manifestation of allergy episodes in a child.

You should refrain from any allergens during the feeding period. It is also worth remembering that there are a number of histaminoliberator products that, while not allergens, sensitize the body and increase its sensitivity. Such foods that must be avoided in case of nutritional allergies include chocolate, cocoa, eggs, fish, certain types of berries, nuts, seafood, and industrial canned food. A high sensitizing potential is also noted in cheeses, fatty meats, liver, kidneys.

Prohibited foods for nursing mothers

The vast majority of products, subject to the health of the mother and child, can be included in the diet: in many ways, the body's reaction depends on the amount of food of this type eaten. In the first days after childbirth, the mother's body is restored, there is a repeated displacement of internal organs in the peritoneal region due to a decrease in the volume of the uterus. Against the background of changes in localization, temporary changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract are possible, and therefore dietary nutrition is indicated in the postpartum period: soups, cereals, soft, easily digestible food that does not cause gas formation, constipation or dyspepsia.

After the restoration of the functions of the gastrointestinal tract in the diet, it is necessary to avoid or significantly limit foods that promote hyperstimulation of the nervous system (coffee, cocoa, chocolate, strong tea, energy drinks, cola), you should not eat food with preservatives, chemical additives, fatty, spicy, salty foods, smoked meats, carbonated drinks.

Despite the common "recipes for lactation", in which an abundance of tea with condensed milk, milk and rolls with butter is recommended for nursing mothers, such a diet does not improve the quality of breast milk and does not increase its amount, but can lead to violations of the functions of the liver, endocrine system, diseases of the pancreas, difficulties with defecation, the formation of excess body weight in the mother and allergic reactions in the child.

Another harmful myth is the beneficial effects of beer on lactation. Thanks to repeated studies, it has been established that any types of beer and other alcoholic beverages do not have a positive effect on milk secretion, and, if consumed in excess, help to reduce lactation. A possible primary outcome is the relaxation of the body in some mothers under the influence of a small dose of alcohol. However, a similar effect, which improves lactation in all women, is easier to achieve with a warm bath, self-massage of the breast. The composition of beer and beer drinks, including non-alcoholic ones, does not meet the requirements of a healthy diet and is replete with preservatives, flavor enhancers, flavors, etc.

What can a nursing mom eat after giving birth?

Regarding the various gifts of nature and their benefits for a nursing mother, there are several opinions and factors that influence their occurrence:

Product type Common opinion about influence
Cabbage, zucchini, grapes, raisins, legumes Increased gas production and intestinal colic in a child as a result of the mother's consumption of certain types of vegetables and berries
Strawberries, cherries, cherries, tomatoes, red apples Allergic reaction
Imported, off-season fruits, berries, vegetables Allergic reaction, gastrointestinal dysfunction due to the treatment of fruits with chemicals
Onions, including feathers, garlic, wild garlic, asparagus, cabbage, broccoli Breast refusal due to changes in the taste of breast milk due to phytoncides
Apples, bananas, cucumbers, zucchini, melon Liquefaction of stool in a child

Not all statements about the effect on the child of fruits and vegetables consumed by the mother are true. Most often, an individual reaction of a child's body or a combination of several factors is recorded.

So, increased gas production, a process that occurs in almost all people when eating legumes, cabbage, foods rich in coarse fiber, can also affect the condition of a child during breastfeeding, therefore, in the first months, it is recommended to avoid including them in the diet. In the future, with the careful introduction of such products in the menu, it is recommended to monitor the condition of the child, if necessary, dill, cumin, anise should be added to the dish, which contribute to the easy removal of gases from the intestines.

Allergy in a child when the mother uses red fruits and berries can be cumulative, so it is worth limiting their use if the mother has allergic reactions to this type of fruit or the child develops rashes, redness after the inclusion of cherries, strawberries, etc. in the diet. However, in the absence of negative reactions, do not completely abandon sources of vitamins. Red apples can be peeled off before eating.
Local seasonal fruits are preferable to imported ones due to less processing for storage during transportation, as well as reduced opportunities for the use of chemicals that accelerate the ripening of fruits and berries.

Many children do not respond to changes in the taste of milk under the influence of phytoncides. Changes in the child's appetite can also be associated with well-being, teething, an abundance of psycho-emotional stress (new impressions), a new stage of development, and not with a change in the taste of breast milk under the influence of products.

The influence of cucumbers, bananas, apples on the condition of the child's stool is considered an unconfirmed factor. Thinning, greenish stools are more often associated with a lack of “hind” milk, rich in protein and fats, in the baby's nutrition, which occurs when the feeding time is limited, the breast changes frequently during feeding, and additional pumping after the baby is latching on. With these feeding tactics, the baby receives more primary milk, saturated with carbohydrates, which leads to thinning of the stool and inadequate intake of nutrients. The same symptoms of dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract may indicate an allergy to milk crayons contained in cow's milk and dairy products, or with gluten intolerance. To determine the cause of the reaction, the potential allergen is excluded from the mother's diet for seven days. With a positive dynamics of the child's condition, the diagnosis is confirmed by tests.

What vegetables and fruits can a nursing mother of a newborn eat? In the absence of negative reactions of the organisms of the mother and the child, bananas, pears, apples are recommended (in some cases, with increased sensitivity, blocks and pears can be baked or boiled in compote). From vegetables, you can immediately include in the diet potatoes (boiled, stewed, baked), carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, processed (stewed, boiled) cabbage, beets in small quantities. In the first two to three months, it is recommended to eat green vegetables raw, and eat yellow, orange, red vegetables after heat treatment (boiling, steaming, stewing).

Carbohydrates in the diet of a nursing mother

An excess of carbohydrates also provokes flatulence and intestinal colic in infants. The presence in the mother's diet of foods rich in simple, quickly processed carbohydrates harms both herself and the baby.

To reduce the likelihood of colic, it is necessary to limit in the diet foods rich in glucose and other sugars: grapes, melons, homemade and factory-made sweets, confectionery, chocolate, sweets, pastries, sweet curd spreads, glazed cheeses, cereals and drinks with an abundance of sugar, especially carbonated. Fermented milk products useful for nursing mothers also need to be assessed in terms of the amount of sugar in the composition: yoghurt-like products, sweet drinks based on kefir ("Snowball", etc.), various "curd" contain much more sugars than useful protein and vitamins.

What can you eat "for sweet" instead of sweets and pastries? It is recommended to replace sweets with dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots in small quantities), dry cookies, natural marshmallow, marmalade, jam, jams.

What vegetables and fruits can a nursing mother eat in the first month?

In the first month after the birth of the child, the mother should adhere to the diet, even if there are no allergic reactions in the family history and the organs of the gastrointestinal tract are functioning normally. At the first time after delivery, the body is restored, therefore, even in the absence of lactation, it is necessary to follow the principles of general dietary nutrition: limit or completely exclude fatty, spicy, salty foods, an abundance of carbohydrates, spices, preservatives.
What and how much can a nursing mother drink after the baby is born? In the first few days after childbirth, lactation, the process of milk production, is established. Despite the loss of fluid in the body during delivery, you should not immediately switch to the drinking regimen recommended for nursing. During the period of excretion of colostrum, a clear yellowish liquid, the total volume of drinking, including first courses and juicy fruits and vegetables, should not exceed 1-1.5 liters per day, otherwise, at the beginning of lactation, the development of lactostasis is likely due to excessive production of breast milk ...

After the establishment of lactation, the amount of liquid should exceed the daily rate by 1 liter: it is the volume of the drunk that primarily affects the volume of breast milk produced.

What can you drink while breastfeeding? It is recommended to include weak broths and soups on them in the total volume of daily fluid, teas with a low caffeine content, fruit and berry drinks, fruit drinks, compotes, fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, natural yoghurts, mixtures of whey and juices).

Can I milk a nursing mother? Cow's milk protein is one of the most common allergens. In the first months of a child's life, a lactating mother is not recommended to consume whole cow's milk due to a possible allergic reaction in the child. What can replace milk? For cereals, milk soups, it is preferable to use a mixture of milk and water in a 1: 1 ratio, or replace cow's milk with goat's milk. In the diet of an older baby, it is also not recommended to introduce whole cow's milk until the age of 1-1.5 years.
In the first weeks after giving birth, a nursing mother's menu includes foods such as:

Food / dish category Peculiarities
Soups vegetarian or weak meat broth
Meat boiled or steamed lean meats and poultry: beef, chicken, turkey, rabbit
Bread, bakery products preferably wheat-rye, with bran; dry biscuits, drying, biscuits
Vegetables boiled, stewed, steamed (potatoes, zucchini, cauliflower, carrots)
Cereals porridge with diluted milk or water: buckwheat, rice, oatmeal
fermented milk drinks and products natural curd (not curd products), cheese, yogurt, kefir, whey, etc.
Fruits apples, bananas, pears (in the absence of a tendency to constipation)

Can a nursing mother follow such a diet during the entire lactation period? Such dietary food is possible, provided that the calorie content of the diet and the variety of dishes and their components are observed. Do not limit yourself to one or two foods - most often this leads to depletion of the mother's body and a decrease in the volume of breast milk, as well as a lack of nutrients for the baby. Gradually, it is necessary to include white fish, various vegetables, fruits, other types of meat, cereals in the diet - this helps the mother to replenish the reserves of the body, and the child - to adapt to new types of foods and prepare for the period of the beginning of complementary feeding and independent nutrition.
In the period following the newborn, it is necessary to expand the diet, gradually adding familiar foods (no more than 1 per day) in a small amount and observing the child's reaction. By following the principles of a healthy diet, most children quickly adapt to the mother's diet and do not experience intestinal problems or allergies when the mother eats new foods.

What can you eat during lactation?

Is it possible for a nursing mother to increase the volume of milk in case of insufficient milk production by correcting her menu? First of all, with a shortage of milk, it is necessary to identify how objectively this condition is assessed: if the child is gradually gaining weight, urinating 7-10 times a day, but often requires breast, then, most often, the problem is not in insufficient production of breast milk.

During the growth and development of infants, there may be periods when the child does not gain weight, but this is not related to the quantity or quality of food. The main indicators of milk sufficiency are the frequency of urination per day and the general health and well-being of the child.

What can you do if a nursing mother really has little milk? With a confirmed shortage of milk, first of all, you need to pay attention to your drinking regime and the composition of products: during the day you need to drink at least 2.5-3 liters of liquid (weak tea, herbal teas, compotes, juices, fruit drinks, fermented milk drinks). The diet should be balanced with fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Do special juices for moms help lactation? Commercially made juices with added vitamins and calcium are not the best choice when alternatives are available. Homemade compotes made from fresh or dried fruits, freshly squeezed juices and fermented milk products contain more vitamins and fewer additives than purchased ones. The use of juices "for mothers" does not affect the lactation process if the mother receives enough nutrition and fluids.

Can teas be used for lactation? These teas contain medicinal plants that are natural stimulators of milk production by the mammary glands (seeds of anise, fennel, caraway seeds, nettle leaves, lemon balm). Consuming them in accordance with the recommended daily allowance, provided they are properly nourished, can actually increase the amount of breast milk. Anise, fennel and caraway are also carminative plants that relieve the condition of both mother and child with increased gas production.

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The period of breastfeeding is one of the crucial and important moments in the life of a new mother. Breast milk contains a record amount of valuable and irreplaceable substances that allow the baby's body to be fully provided with all the necessary components for its healthy growth and development. The well-being of the crumbs directly depends on the diet of the nurse. It is worth noting that it is breast milk in the first days and months of a child's life that is the only source of nutrition, so a huge responsibility is laid on a young mother.

Now let's dwell on this in more detail.

Proper and nutritious nutrition of a nursing mother is the key to the well-being and health of the baby. During the lactation period, a nursing mother should pay special attention to her nutrition and understand that all the foods she uses enter the crumbs. The more a woman monitors her diet, follows a certain diet, the better the baby will feel. The list of permitted foods for a nursing mother in the first months of life is quite limited. It contains only those products that will not disrupt the child's digestive system, and will not cause allergic reactions. The need for a strict diet for the mother is explained by the fact that after birth, the internal organs and systems of the child have not yet matured, therefore, the use of any prohibited product can cause colic, stool disorders, allergies and even poisoning.

Good nutritional guidelines for breastfeeding

The list of products that are allowed for a woman in the first month of breastfeeding is quite limited, but still, even with a small set of products, you can eat well, and most importantly, not harm the health of the child. With each new month of a baby's life, the list of permitted food and meals will expand. In addition to the permitted food products for the mother, which we will discuss below, the choice of the products themselves, their quality, on which the condition and health of the baby depends, is also considered important.

  1. When using a new product, you need to monitor the reaction of the newborn's body.
  2. When introducing a new dish or product into the diet, their quantity should be minimal.
  3. It is recommended to eat food 30-40 minutes before breastfeeding.
  4. All products must be fresh.
  5. Any dish should only consist of permitted foods.
  6. Before eating fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, they need to be washed well, given the necessary processing.
  7. To stimulate breast milk, you need to drink as much fluid as possible.
  8. If you have a strong desire to eat a "forbidden" product, you first need to assess its possible harm and choose an alternative.
  9. Nutrition of a nursing mother should be fractional, portions are small.

Observing some rules for breastfeeding, you can eliminate many problems, provide the baby with good health and healthy sleep.

Mom's nutrition in the first months: menu

The first month of the lactation period is very important for the newborn and his mother. It is important to understand that even a small amount of forbidden food eaten can negatively affect the work of the baby's digestive system. He may develop colic, bloating, frequent regurgitation, the baby will become restless, refuse to feed, constantly be capricious and cry. In order to avoid such symptoms, a woman should know well what foods can be present in her diet, in what quantity. When breastfeeding, a woman can independently compose a menu that will include permitted foods. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the table and a sample menu for 1 day for a nursing mother in the first month of a baby's life.

1st breakfast200 g of porridge with milk (oatmeal, buckwheat, rice), a cup of weak black tea and two or three pieces of dry biscuits
2nd breakfasta sandwich with hard cheese, a glass of natural yogurt or low-fat kefir, dry biscuits.
dinner150 g of soup in vegetable broth, 100 g of mashed potatoes with a minimum addition of butter and milk, 1 steamed lean meat cutlet, a glass of dried fruit compote and rye bread.
afternoon tea150 g of low-fat cottage cheese with sour cream, a glass of dried fruit jelly or compote.
dinnerstewed vegetables with the addition of lean meat (150-200 g), weak tea.
before bedtimedry biscuits with a glass of kefir

The menu provided can be adjusted at the discretion and desire of the nursing mother, but in any case, it should include only permitted, safe, fresh and healthy food. Particular attention should be paid to the drinking diet. Breastfeeding experts recommend 2.5 liters. liquids per day.

Nutrition for children of the first year of life online

Age, months

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Feeding

Natural Artificial Mixed

Features of the diet of a nursing mother

In order to help a nursing mother create a menu, it is important to know what foods can be consumed in the first month of a child's life. You need to introduce any new product into the diet little by little, while monitoring the condition of the baby. If, after feeding, after a few hours, rashes on the cheeks appeared, the baby became restless, he was worried about colic, then it is better to refuse this product.

  1. Cereals (wheat, rice, semolina, buckwheat, oatmeal) - it is recommended to eat porridge every morning, you can add milk, a little sugar and butter.
  2. Vegetables - squash, cauliflower, carrots, yellow peppers, herbs, beets. You can eat vegetables boiled, steamed or baked in the oven. Before preparing any vegetable dish, rinse them well. When buying them in a store, be sure to cut off the peel, since it is in it that contains the most pesticides.
  3. Low-fat meat and fish. It is recommended to eat chicken, duck, rabbit, young veal. The daily dose is 200 g. Meat can be boiled, steamed or stewed.
  4. Dairy products. Boiled cow's milk will bring benefits during lactation, from which you can cook porridge, add to tea, milk soups. Low-fat grade of cottage cheese 5 - 9% is also recommended to be added to the menu. It is recommended to consume 250 g of low-fat cottage cheese per week. You can cook yoghurts, drink fermented baked milk and kefir.
  5. Fruit (green apples without peel, pears, plums, bananas). It is recommended to use only those fruits that are grown in ecologically clean regions or in your own garden. Fruits can be baked, prepared from them compotes, jelly, eaten fresh, with the exception of pears, which can increase gas formation.
  6. It is recommended to add vegetable oil to salads, stews, borscht, but not to use for frying. They are rich in amino acids, which in moderation are good for your baby.
  7. Bread and pastry. In the first month, you can eat black, white bread, bagels, crackers without raisins, oatmeal, biscuit or zoological cookies.
  8. Tea with milk, dried fruit compote, natural apple juice (diluted), kefir, fermented baked milk can act as a drink. Any drink, as well as consumed food, should not contain dyes, carcinogens, trans fats and other harmful compounds.

All of the above foods can be used to compose a menu for nursing mothers in the first month. As the baby grows, the list of permitted products expands, but nevertheless, with the introduction of any new product, you need to monitor the child's reaction. It is possible to reduce all sorts of risks if new products are introduced in small portions.

You need to follow a diet throughout the entire lactation period, but as the child grows up, starting from 4 or 6 months, mothers can introduce complementary foods, which at first should be tiny. For example, starting from 3 months, you can give apple and carrot juice, but you need to start with a few drops, gradually increasing. Also, chicken yolk can act as a complementary food, a fourth part per week. A pediatrician, who observes the child from birth, will be able to tell a young mother about complementary foods.

In order for nutrition to bring maximum benefit to a nursing mother and her baby, it is important not only to choose the right food, but also to follow some recommendations for the use of food.

  1. The portions of a nursing mother should be small, about 300 - 400 grams.
  2. You need to take food at least 5 times a day.
  3. A nursing mother should not feel hungry. With a strong desire to eat and feeling hungry, you can take small snacks, even at night.
  4. It is not recommended for nurses to consume sugar, but nevertheless, if necessary, it is possible. It is added to cereals, cottage cheese, tea. You should not abuse sugar, as it can cause problems with the work of the baby's stomach.

What mom should not eat while breastfeeding

During the lactation period, a nursing mother will have to give up many products and favorite dishes. It is strictly forbidden to consume the following food products even in small quantities:

  1. Cakes, chocolates.
  2. Any canned food.
  3. Confectionery with flavors and dyes.
  4. Mayonnaise.
  5. Citrus.
  6. Ketchup, hot sauces.
  7. Sausage semi-finished products.
  8. Salted and smoked foods.
  9. Sparkling water.
  10. Fatty, fried foods.
  11. Fast food.
  12. Berries: strawberries, raspberries, blueberries.
  13. Tea bags.
  14. Coffee.
  15. Ice cream.
  16. Any alcohol, even in minimal quantities.

In the first months, you need to give up various exotic foods and fruits, berries, with the exception of bananas. It is forbidden to eat red apples, pomegranates, tomatoes and other vegetables and red fruits. It is not worth taking those foods that a woman has never eaten, the result can be unpredictable. When the child grows up, gets stronger, he does not have allergies, you can expand the menu. It is important to understand that not only the well-being of the baby depends on the correct nutrition of the mother, but also the quality of breast milk, as well as the stimulation of lactation. A woman's diet should be balanced, healthy, fortified and complete.

Specialists in the field of pediatrics assure that if the mother does not want the child to have colic, allergies, there is no need to eat prohibited foods. You can return to your favorite dishes only when the lactation period is over.

Possible dangers of non-adherence to the diet

Almost all newborns under 3 months old suffer from colic, but they can be temporary, pass quickly enough. If the baby is breastfeeding, while the woman will neglect the diet, colic, bloating will become permanent. The child will feel bad at breastfeeding, constantly being capricious, often waking up from pain in the tummy. All these symptoms have a bad effect not only on his well-being, but also on the work of the intestines, the central nervous system. In addition to digestive problems, many prohibited foods are the strongest allergens, so after eating them by a mother, a baby may develop a rash on the body, which is almost impossible to get rid of without medication.

It is possible to eliminate all kinds of difficulties, prevent various health problems of the baby, but for this, the mother must create all the necessary conditions for his comfortable and healthy growth, carefully monitor his diet, and periodically visit the pediatrician.

In the first months of a baby's life, the formation of the digestive system takes place, therefore, if from the first days the intestinal function is disrupted, the consequences may appear at an older age. Until the baby is 6 months old, a woman is advised to take special care of her diet, eat only healthy foods and permitted foods.

Motherhood is one of those periods in a woman's life when she refuses many once favorite foods. And rightly so, because there is nothing better for a mother than a healthy and happy baby!

You can hear so many advice from friends that it will become generally unclear what to eat for a nursing mother. Only buckwheat and veal, washed down with water? Let's try to understand and debunk the myths. Let's focus on nutrition, along the way, touching on the diet during pregnancy. How is this related? First, modern sources claim that the principles of healthy eating are the same for pregnant and lactating women. And secondly, studies have shown that it is extremely important for lactation how a woman ate during pregnancy, and just as important - before her onset!


By the end of the first month of a child's life, when feeding on demand, a stable mature lactation is established by the mother. The amount of milk produced usually ranges from 750-1200 ml per day (on average, about 1 liter). This amount is maintained for the first six months of feeding prior to the initiation of complementary foods.


What determines the amount and composition of milk? There is only one answer: these indicators meet the needs of the baby. Today it is well known that every woman's milk is unique, it is intended for feeding a particular child and is ideal for him. Moreover, even for the same mother, milk for different children will be different. The mother's body adjusts to the needs of the baby and produces milk depending on the term of the baby, its weight, etc.


The myth of "dairy" or "non-dairy" women is unfounded, and milk is lost mainly due to serious mistakes in the organization of breastfeeding, and this has nothing to do with the quality of nutrition. However, certain nutritional conditions must be observed for the natural mechanism to work properly.

To have enough energy

Milk production requires significant energy consumption. It takes about 700 kcal every day. If for non-pregnant women about 2000 kcal per day is enough (according to the standards of the WHO and European countries), then for pregnant women in the third trimester, 200 kcal / day is added to this amount, and during lactation, about 500 kcal / day is added. The rest of the necessary calories are taken from the woman's own fat reserves.


Weight gain includes a certain amount of adipose tissue (about 4 kg with an increase of 10-12 kg). These are the so-called fat depots or reserves that are needed to energetically maintain lactation.


It is very important what nutritional status a woman had before pregnancy, that is, whether the intake of nutrients covered the needs of the body. The recommended weight gain during pregnancy depends on your body mass index (BMI). This indicator best reflects the adequacy of nutrition before pregnancy. Nutritional deficiencies or excessive food intake are undesirable, and the balance between nutrient intake and intake is optimal. To be more precise, a woman still needs a small supply, which increases during pregnancy and gives energy for lactation. This reserve is manifested in the form of "roundness" that distinguish the female body.


Research has shown that getting enough fat is important for a healthy period, ovulation and conception. Losing weight by even 10-15% of normal can cause cycle disturbances. To carry and feed a child, the mother should not have a nutritional deficiency, this is more dangerous than an excess of it. There is scientific evidence that a deficiency of energy, protein, certain vitamins and minerals can cause various defects in the fetus, as well as cause early pregnancy toxicosis. For example, a choline deficiency in utero can have consequences in an older child and affect memory loss.


If a woman with an underweight after giving birth starts to eat more, then the food will go first to compensate for the deficit in her body weight, and only then to lactation, and the volume of milk may still be insufficient. At the same time, it has been proven that if a mother ate adequately before and during pregnancy, she will produce a normal amount of milk, even if she eats less than recommended. True, according to one of the studies, the intake of energy in the body below 1800 kcal during the week still leads to a decrease in the volume of milk.

A complete diet for a nursing mother

Contrary to the opinion about the need for certain diets during the carrying and feeding of a child, modern research indicates that for a healthy woman who ate well before pregnancy, with the onset of motherhood, there is no need for a radical change in diet and, moreover, in severe restrictions.


The authors of the "National Program for Optimizing the Feeding of Infants in the First Year of Life in the Russian Federation" (2010) believe that a woman's nutrition during an interesting situation should be complete and varied, dietary habits (food stereotypes) should remain: "All this will help ensure comfortable health, good mood and high activity of a pregnant woman. " The same principles apply to the nutrition of lactating women. Practice shows that wellbeing and mood are much more important for lactation than special teas. And if a woman has a snack, for example, with her favorite cookies with a small cup of cocoa, there will be no harm, but she will relax, and her milk outflow will improve. Means for lactation give a similar effect: mom relaxes, tunes in a positive way.


What does “balanced, nutritious diet” and “adequate nutrition” mean? This means that in the diet of a lactating and pregnant woman, products of all presented food groups should be present daily:


  1. bread, cereals, potatoes, pasta (5-11 servings daily),

  2. vegetables, fruits, berries (5-6 servings),

  3. dairy products - milk, kefir, yogurt, yogurt, fermented baked milk, cottage cheese, cheese (2-3 servings),

  4. meat products, fish, beans, nuts (2-3 servings),

  5. fats, oils, sugar, sweets, sugary drinks (a little).

This list corresponds to the healthy eating pyramid proposed by American nutritionists in the 90s of the XX century, and WHO recommendations on nutrition for pregnant and lactating women are based on it. The size of one serving is, for example, a piece of bread, a medium-sized apple, a glass of milk, etc.

Make up for the lack

Nutrients can be classified into two groups. Substances, the amount of which in breast milk depends on the mother's nutrition: iodine, selenium, B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin A.


With a varied diet, all of the above substances are supplied in sufficient quantities with food. Therefore, their additional introduction in the form of dosage forms does not make sense. If these substances are not enough in the food consumed by the mother, then their intake with the mother's milk decreases. However, an increase in the consumption of these substances by the mother quickly restores the necessary concentration in breast milk. Substances, the amount of which in milk does not depend on the mother's nutrition: protein, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, folic acid, vitamin D.


Additional intake of a nursing mother of preparations containing these substances does not lead to an increase in their amount in breast milk. If a woman, for some reason, does not receive these substances with food, then their current level in breast milk will be maintained at the expense of the reserves of her own body.

Drinking regimen of a nursing mother

Since a girl's breast milk production is about 1 liter per day, she needs to drink enough fluids. The basic rule for lactation is to drink when thirsty.


According to various sources, in the first days after childbirth, the volume of fluid should be about 1.5-2 liters per day (and it is recommended to drink in small sips during the day, but do not strongly limit yourself). Then the volume can be increased.


You can drink water (it accounts for the main share), juices, fruit drinks, compotes, weak tea. Coffee is allowed in limited quantities (one cup a day), but be aware that caffeine leaks into the milk and may excite some children. It is removed from the blood of babies for a very long time (several days), so it may be worth replacing it with decaf coffee. Caffeine is also found in tea, so they don't need to be overused.


Herbal teas should be treated with great caution, as some herbs, which are even included in lactation fees, are not safe for crumbs. Herbs, like medicines, have certain contraindications and side effects, and some of them can, on the contrary, suppress lactation. Alcohol penetrates into breast milk and harms the nervous system of the baby, so it is better not to consume it.

Adequate nutrition during breastfeeding is extremely important. It helps to prevent milk shortages, as well as to maximize the continuation of the breastfeeding period.

Nutrition Vegetable puree During lactation
dried fruit vitamin C at low pressure
Calcium Diet Dark Chocolate


Together with milk, the baby receives all the necessary nutrients, and can also avoid dysbiosis, intestinal colic, constipation and allergic reactions. In this case, the mother's nutrition during breastfeeding is of great importance.

Features of the diet of a nursing mother

If the nutrition of a nursing mother during breastfeeding is organized correctly, then occasionally she can afford a prohibited product, if she really wants to, and at the same time not feel like a criminal.

Only healthy food for lactation

Dr. Komarovsky identifies 5 basic principles of nutrition during lactation.

  1. Danger - it is necessary to completely abandon alcoholic beverages and those products that can cause fermentation in the gastrointestinal tract, and also contain harmful additives (sweeteners, dyes, flavor enhancers). Junk food should be consumed in small doses, and then monitor the baby's reaction. If the body has not responded, this product is not allergenic to your baby and may well be included in the daily menu.
  2. Quality - Nutrition while breastfeeding should only be fresh, wholesome, and wholesome. It is necessary to completely abandon smoked meats, fast food, carbonated drinks, canned food, semi-finished products.
  3. Variety - lactation nutrition should include all the necessary food groups - fish, meat, vegetables, berries, dairy and fermented milk products, eggs, bread, vegetable oil.
  4. Regime - you need to eat in small portions 5-6 times / day. The optimal time for eating is considered to be 30 minutes before feeding the baby.
  5. Individual characteristics - by gradually introducing new products into the diet, the mother will be able to determine whether they are suitable for her baby. Some children are not uncomfortable with cabbage salad with the addition of cucumber, but allergies can spill out onto harmless zucchini.

If the manifestations of an allergic reaction are of a long-term nature, then allergies to many foods may develop even at a more mature age, and in more severe cases, even diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

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A loving mother always cares about the health of her child. What is most important for a newborn? One of the important points is to solve the problem - what can a nursing mother eat while breastfeeding, because together with milk she will pass on to the baby both useful components of her diet, and not so much.

Download the food list (what you can and cannot eat)

Dos and don'ts while breastfeeding

First of all, you should prepare - the first month of breastfeeding will not help you even the strictest diet - the baby adapts to the outside world, to eating through the stomach, not the umbilical cord, so sometimes he may have gas, intestinal colic or diarrhea. You should not be afraid of this - the baby will very quickly get used to the new conditions, and then it will be possible to gradually introduce new products into the mother's diet.

You can keep a food diary to track your child's reaction to a food. Each day, write down the meals you ate and your child's behavior.

A short list of permitted products

  1. Vegetables... Be sure to heat it, at first refrain from eating them raw. Bake, boil, simmer. Freshly squeezed juices are available after one month. After three, add fresh vegetables to the menu. >>>
  2. Fruits... Avoid grapes, citrus fruits, mangoes, papaya, avocado, strawberries, and raspberries. Only baked apples, try to peel them. You can eat bananas without fear. Freshly squeezed juices are available after one month. After three - you can introduce one new fruit in two days, watch the baby's reaction. >>>
  3. You can eat almost all cereals, they aid in digestion, and they are filling and contain many nutrients. In addition to instant porridge.
  4. Various soups in vegetable broth.
  5. Meat we eat separately from all products and only lean.
  6. Cheese.
  7. Poultry meat.
  8. Dairy products you can enter in a week - kefir, fermented baked milk (it is better to use it, it is softer than kefir), cottage cheese, yogurt, yogurt.
  9. Boil fish (sea, river), bake with vegetables. ()
  10. Eggs you can also eat, but remember that this is an allergen.
  11. Bread can be eaten in small amounts with additives such as bran.
  12. Sweet should not get carried away, however, you can use dried fruits, biscuits, biscuits, bagels.
  13. Butter and vegetable oil.
  14. Dry cracker, cookies, marmalade, marshmallow, marshmallow (no chocolate).
  15. Weak green and black teas, weak coffee, fruit drinks, compote, herbal teas with mint, thyme and oregano, still mineral water.
  16. After a month, you can gradually enter into the menu borscht, sour cream, nuts, fruit drink, jam.

After six months, you can eat honey, various herbal spices, legumes, seafood... Also during this period you can eat pasta, cheese, seasonal fruits and vegetables(this is important, only for the season!).

Note to moms!


Hello girls) I didn't think that the problem of stretch marks would touch me, but I will also write about it))) But there is nowhere to go, so I am writing here: How did I get rid of stretch marks after childbirth? I will be very glad if my method will help you too ...

In addition, you need to know about stop products, the use of which is strictly prohibited for all nursing mothers. First of all, these are:

  1. Alcohol.
  2. Chocolate, some sweet foods - baked goods, especially with the addition of various dyes and substitutes.
  3. Coffee and tea, refrain from this for at least the first six months. Later you can use them, but only of high quality, coffee - well-brewed, tea - brewed, not in bags. ATTENTION! The exception is special teas, the so-called, which include fennel, caraway seeds, lemon balm, anise - such teas of breast milk.
  4. It is necessary to refrain from semi-finished products, from products with artificial preservatives and dyes, only high-quality and fresh products can be used.
  5. Carbonated drinks should also be discarded - they will not bring any benefit to either the baby or the mother.
  6. Garlic, onions, and other spicy foods.
  7. From smoked meat, sausages, fish.
  8. From fatty meat and lard.
  9. From legumes and black bread.
  10. From sauerkraut, radish, radish, fermented cheeses (suluguni, feta cheese, Adyghe), sausages, ham.
  11. From exotic fruits.