First of all, as a breastfeeding woman, you have an additional daily energy requirement.
- When exclusively breastfeeding during the first 4-6 months: 500 calories.
- Weaning after the 4th month: 285 calories.
The production of breast milk deprives your body of many valuable nutrients and vital substances. The mammary glands deprive your body of water, amino acids, fats, vitamins, minerals, trace elements and other important vital substances.
To avoid a lack of vital substances, you must make up for the losses by eating a balanced and varied diet. Eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes, meat and fish, milk and dairy products, and use high-quality vegetable oils. Nuts are also wonderful for meeting your increased energy and nutrient needs. Take an appropriate nutritional supplement during the breastfeeding phase, if necessary.
It happens that babies react to certain substances in breast milk with sore bottoms. This is particularly the case with highly acidic foods such as citrus fruits. To find out if your baby is sensitive to the foods you eat, you need to watch your baby closely.
Baby bloating rarely has anything to do with the mother’s diet. But if you feel that your baby reacts with flatulence after eating certain foods, such as legumes or cabbage, leave them out.
Also, it happens that your baby does not like to drink if you have previously eaten onions or garlic.
However, do not eliminate foods from your diet until you have established a clear link between what you have eaten and reactions in your baby.
