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Breastfeeding moms: If mama ain't happy and well-nourished

Posted Mon, May 25, 2009
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Women can be a bit cagey when it comes to discussing the pleasures of eating, so it's refreshing to come across a writer/mom like Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit who pulls no punches when it comes to describing how robust her appetite became once she started breastfeeding:

"Gone were the days of eating mindfully and savouring the taste of food; instead I discovered I could cram en entire muffin into my mouth, that yogurt was as good eaten straight from the container, and that I could eat cheese and crackers, talk on the phone, and rock a fussy baby all at the same time," she writes in her book about eating well while you're breastfeeding.

And why shouldn't new moms make a point of nourishing themselves with the healthiest, most nutritious food they can dish up? Odds are you're already missing out on sleep. Do you really want to skimp on nutrients at the same time? Of course you don't. So get some help from Annemarie.

Healthy Mum, Happy Baby (Random House Canada, 2007) is a mom-friendly guide to postpartum nutrition. The focus of this friendly and helpful book (which consists of recipes, breastfeeding information, and kitchen how-to's) is on showing you that there's more to postpartum dining than ordering take-out and/or scavenging for frozen leftovers.

Also on the breastfeeding front, here's a stat worth noting: according to Statistics Canada, the percentage of mothers who breastfeed for six months or longer has risen to 28 percent (from 20 percent) since Canada extended its maternity and parental leave provisions in 2001.

More breastfeeding news and resources:

Breastfeeding a Boon to Mom's Heart

Apology to UK Mom Over Pool Ban

The Top Ten Reasons to Hire a Doula

 

WHAT'S YOUR TAKE: What is your best advice on staying healthy and nourished as a new mom?

 

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2 Comments

  • 1. Posted by michezaza on Fri, May 29, 2009

    Frozen meals and dinners are one thing, but a huge challenage is eating during the day when you're alone. Substantial snacks that can be eaten with one hand and foods that are safe to eat with baby in arms are huge (no soup and nothing that requires cutting!).

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  • 2. Posted by annieatthelake on Fri, May 29, 2009

    I agree that nutrition is important if you are a breastfeeding mom. I also think despite the increases in our breastfeeding rates that we have far to go. Almost all women initiate breastfeeding in Canada, but many of them stop long before the recommended 6 months of exclusive breastfeeding and continued nursing along with complementary foods for 2 years or beyond. Unfortunately, one of the rumors out there about breastfeeding is that if you do not have a perfect diet, then your milk will not be good enough. Moms worry that if they don't eat well, perhaps they should give formula instead. However, that isn't true. Your body will give the nutrients to the baby first and unless you are severely malnourished, breastmilk will still be better than formula.

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