Your breast-milk is always going to be top-notch for your baby; but a poor diet may zap energy at a time in your life when energy is already something that is hard to come by. Below are a few tips for maintaining a healthy diet while breastfeeding:
- Eat when you are hungry and drink when you are thirsty – This isn’t as easy as it sounds with a new baby.
- Keep water by your nursing spot – If you tend to always sit down to nurse in the same spot during the day, keep a water bottle(and snacks) within arms reach. Nothing brings on thirst quite like nursing a new baby.
- Stick to snacks you can eat with one hand – Stock up on one-handed snacks such as apples, carrot sticks, cheese cubes, and fruit/nut bars. See if your partner can make you an easy-to-grab sandwich before they leave for work in the morning.
- Make a double batch! – When making dinner, always make a double batch so that you have lunch for the next day.
- Eat small meals – Try eating several small meals throughout the day instead of three large ones.
- Keep snacks by the bed – Keep easy to eat snacks, such as granola bars, within arms reach of your bed. Hunger strikes at all hours during those early months. Don’t forget your water bottle!
- Ignore the rules – If you want to have an omelet for lunch, go for it! Same thing goes with having leftover meatloaf for breakfast.