A Nursing Mother's Nutrition Plan:
You’ve waited 9 months for this incredible bundle of joy to arrive. You happily don your maternity stretch pants and comfy shoes. Proud to be busting at the seams. And then the day comes. Your bundle arrives and sure you're rocking the maternity pants home from the hospital but let’s be real…there’s so much going on down there skinny jeans….just leave it alone. But then here you are three weeks out…Hungry all the time. Something dripping from somewhere more than any ‘what to expect’ manual could prepare you for…and the skinny jeans, yep still don’t fit. Hell nothing fits. You’re still rocking the maternity clothes. And if one more person asks you when you’re due you may have to punch them and blame it on the hormones.
Truth be told it is the hormones. A crazy flood of hormones that are rushing through your body. And every time you breast feed—whole new storm of hormones.
So what does any of this have to do with nutrition? EVERYTHING! Truly everything. So let’s talk general nutrition. It’s good practice to base your ‘diet’ on a healthy balance of macronutrients (see previous blog for a more in depth look at macros). These macros consisting of protein, carbohydrates, and fats, are essential nutrients required by the body for optimal function. One big role they play is in regulating hormones. The regulation of hormones regulates how you lose or gain weight. Equally important is the quality of your breast milk. If you spend your day eating rice cakes trying to fit into your “I was once a size 2 jeans” then your baby is getting rice cake milk. Not a good scene. Baby is wicked fussy, you’re exhausted, milk isn't flowing… Ugh
Then what? Then do you reach for the candy bar or maybe it’s a protein bar b/c come hell or high water you’re going to lose this weight but you’ve inhaled a sugary bar of pressed something that tastes like cardboard and you’re just not happy.
What is the solution?
A good rule of thumb is to eat a balanced diet. One that is colorful and diverse. But, what does that mean? It means don’t be afraid of a little high quality fat or protein for that matter. If you fuel your body with the right balance of food—you’ll feel better, your baby will feel better, and the weight will naturally slowly melt away in a healthy sustainable way. Eat the rainbow in fruits and vegetables. Try something new. Experiment and have fun with it. The less stressed you are the more likely you will make better dietary choices.
For questions or detailed specific diet plan that unique to you please message below. It is my passion to help you conquer your goals in a healthy and sustainable way.
(In the photo above, I was about 8-10weeks postpartum and was no where close to wearing my pre-pregnancy clothes. It took me about 6 months with exclusively breast feeding, walking, and proper nutrition to shed the 50lbs I gained in pregnancy). Yes you can!