Breastfeeding is a fantastic bonding experience for mum and baby. It also provides many health benefits to the child, including boosting their immune system. However, it can be challenging to maintain breastfeeding while pregnant because of morning sickness or other pregnancy symptoms. This blog post will provide five essential breastfeeding tips for making this process easier on both you and your little one!
Stay hydrated
Dehydration can become a severe issue. Nausea, morning sickness, and vomiting are all symptoms of dehydration that could impact your milk supply or make breastfeeding more difficult for you both. Make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day! For an added boost, try adding ice chips into your glass to beat the heat as well as keeping yourself adequately hydrated.
Keep a healthy diet
Your body needs certain nutrients while pregnant to keep your milk supply going and ensure that the baby is getting all of its vitamins. Be sure to eat plenty of fruits, veggies, lean meats, dairy products, whole grains, and other essential nutrients. Avoid spicy foods or caffeine as these could cause heartburn, which isn't very conducive to breastfeeding!
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
While it is important to keep a healthy diet, you should also avoid caffeine and alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can pass through your breastmilk to the baby, which could impact them in negative ways. For example, some studies have shown that alcohol consumed by breastfeeding mothers may cause drowsiness or poor motor development of their child! Similarly, caffeine passes through breastmilk rather quickly, so even if you drink coffee throughout the day, it will likely not be an issue (just remember that too much of anything isn't good for anyone!).
Practice relaxation techniques
Breastfeeding can be stressful for many mums and babies. It's essential to take care of yourself as well as your child! Try taking a bath, listening to calming music, or exercising throughout the day by going on walks with the baby in tow (or pushing them around in their stroller). Doing something you enjoy will help reduce stress and leave you ready to feed that little one whenever they're hungry.
Speak with your doctor
If you're concerned about breastfeeding while pregnant, it may be helpful to speak with a professional. Your doctor should help walk you through any concerns or questions that might come up throughout this process and can also provide additional resources if needed. If morning sickness is making the process difficult for you, they could recommend certain medications which may ease some of these symptoms so that both mummy and baby are happy!
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