Postpartum
Why Should Moms Care About Their Postpartum Eating Habits?
There are many things to think about when you become a new parent. What will you name your baby? How will you decorate the nursery? But one of the most important—and easily overlooked—things to consider is what you’ll eat.
The first few months after childbirth are called the postpartum period. During this time, your body is healing and recovering from the pregnancy and delivery. You may be feeling tired, emotional, or out of sorts.
These effects can be partially explained by the fact that during postpartum, a mother’s body is still undergoing many changes. Hormones are fluctuating, breast milk production is starting, and the body is healing from the delivery. All these changes require extra energy and nutrients, so mothers need to eat healthily.
Some pregnancies may increase the risk of certain health problems, such as infections, depression, bleeding, changes in the body, or hair loss. Although your eating habits won’t necessarily cure such problems—and you should always talk to your doctor if you experience them—taking charge of your postpartum nutrition may make it easier to confront your challenges confidently.
Your postpartum nutritional habits set the tone for your experience as a new parent but there are benefits to working with a pregnancy nutritionist early on too. While most moms know they should skip soft drinks and fattier dairy products, it’s not always easy to choose postpartum foods you can adjust to—or stick to.
Having a solid ally in your corner helps, but your friends and relatives shouldn’t be your only sources of postpartum nutrition knowledge. Talking to a Registered Dietitian or Certified Clinical Nutritionist is the smart way to get better informed.
Final Thoughts
Eating a healthy variety of food during the postpartum period is essential for your recovery and your baby’s health. Include some of these nutrient-dense foods in your meal plan to help your body get through this time.