Nutrition during the first year


Last week I started a series on nutrition during different stages of life. Starting with nutrition during pregnancy to give both the mother and baby a good start. During the first year nutrition is important for both the mother and the baby. Of course they both have different needs, so this article will talk about the mother first and then the baby. It's that story about the oxygen mask in the airplane, put yours on first before you help your child. If the mother is not properly nourished she will have a more difficult time caring for her child.

I know if you have just had a baby the first thing you want to do is to lose weight . I urge you to avoid dieting. You will lose weight naturally, just give yourself time. I have heard that it takes most people one year to lose the weight they gained and have their body feel normal again. It took 9 months to put it on give yourself time to take it off. Concentrate instead on making your food as nutritious as possible. Go back to the Food Guide Pyramid. Are you getting your fruits and vegetables, enough protein, calcium and fluids (fluids are particularly important if you are breastfeeding)? Take time to eat and sleep, forget the housework or better yet let your mate help. The first year with your baby is such a special time. Time for housework later. If you choose to breastfeed, there are many reasons why this is a great idea, but one of the benefits is weight lose. You require an additional 500 calories a day if you are breastfeeding.

While we are on the subject of breastfeeding let me say I believe it is the healthiest and easiest way to feed your baby. I also believe that there are times when one can't, shouldn't or plain just doesn't want to breastfeed their baby. There are adequate formula's available today and should you chose not to breastfeed you don't feel guilty. If there are no health reasons I think trying is the best approach you can always quit, but it is hard to start later. The nurses at the hospital can help you. Even if you know you will not be able to nurse for long a large part of the benefit to the baby is the colostrum produced in the very first days. For information of breastfeeding the La Leche

The copyright of the article Nutrition during the first year in Clinical Nutrition is owned by Stephanie Hembree. Permission to republish Nutrition during the first year in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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