| Most new moms are very eager to return to their pre | | | | 3. Drink lots of water. Drink when you are thirsty, but |
| pregnancy weight. However, if you are a | | | | drink water. Ideally, 6 ounces to 8 ounces is what you |
| breastfeeding mom, you may be a little anxious about | | | | should consume. If you drink too much water you |
| cutting back or dieting while you are nursing. Well, relax. | | | | actually run the risk of decreasing your milk supply. |
| Not only is it perfectly healthy to diet while nursing, it is | | | | 4. When breastfeeding, you need to take in 200 to |
| also the best time for a new mom to drop that baby | | | | 500 calories in excess of what you needed prior to |
| weight. In fact, it is easier for a breastfeeding woman | | | | becoming pregnant to maintain your weight. If you |
| to lose lower body fat than a mom who is formula | | | | want to lose, you can cut back some, but don't drop |
| feeding. | | | | your caloric intake below about 1,800 calories a day. |
| 1. The body of a breastfeeding mom will take nutrients | | | | Breastfeeding burns quite a few calories and as you |
| from the mom to ensure that the milk is best for the | | | | nurse you will lose weight. |
| baby. If you are worried that cutting calories while you | | | | 5. Don't rush it. Don't even try to cut back on calories |
| are breastfeeding will take nutrients away from your | | | | or do any type of dieting until at least 2 weeks post |
| baby, relax. Actually, the opposite is true. The mom's | | | | partum. At about 4 to 6 weeks post partum you can |
| body will send nutrients to the breast milk first so that | | | | cut back on calories, but maintain a healthy diet and |
| the baby gets the most nutrition possible even if it | | | | keep taking your prenatal vitamins. Don't try to lose |
| means taking nutrients away from the mom. Actually, | | | | weight too quickly either. A pound or two a week is all |
| unless the mother is severely malnourished, her milk will | | | | you should ever try to lose when you are nursing. |
| be fine for feeding her baby. | | | | 6. Exercise regularly. Moderate exercise has been |
| 2. Eat lots of calcium rich foods. Calcium is vital for | | | | shown to be very beneficial to nursing mothers. You |
| building strong teeth and bones. However, the proteins | | | | may need to plan a little more, such as exercising after |
| that are in cow's milk are harder to digest and can | | | | nursing so your breasts aren't uncomfortable and full, |
| pass through breast milk to baby. They can cause | | | | wear a good sports bra and drink a glass of water |
| food allergies, although this occurs in a very small | | | | both before and after your workout. Take it easy until |
| percentage of babies. Yogurt and cheese may still be | | | | you are released from the doctor. Maybe start out |
| OK if you find a problem with cow's milk, but you do | | | | walking. |
| need calcium. Broccoli, nuts, spinach and canned | | | | 7. Eat fresh and lean. This really goes without saying. |
| salmon are all great sources of calcium. It also wouldn't | | | | Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables into your |
| hurt to add a calcium supplement to your diet. You | | | | diet as well as whole grains and lean meats. You |
| need about 1,000 mg of calcium if you are between | | | | should also incorporate fish into your diet at least two |
| the ages of 18 and 50, even if you aren't | | | | times a week. Salmon is a great choice, but go with |
| breastfeeding. Another boon for breastfeeding, though, | | | | wild salmon. Farm raised salmon has been shown to |
| is that nursing mothers do lose some bone mass | | | | have a higher concentration of mercury so you want |
| when they breastfeed, but within a year after weaning, | | | | to steer clear of that. |
| research shows that not only is the bone loss | | | | It is possible to lose weight while breastfeeding. All it |
| restored, but the bones are stronger. Breastfeeding | | | | takes is a little know how and some TLC for yourself. |
| has been shown to protect women from osteoporosis. | | | | You will be back to your old self in no time. |