Diet Tips For Nursing Mothers

Submitted by Loring A. Windblad on February 12, 2010

Breastfeeding Mothers Meals

Breastfeeding or nursing is one of the most important times in a woman’s and a child’s life. This is because the act itself forms bonds between the mother and child; curiously, this is actually because of the play of hormones during the act of nursing where a hormone called oxytocin is released – the very same hormone that is released during an orgasm. Human breast milk is one of the most nutritious and low cost feeding alternatives that can be used for a period of up to six months. Breast milk contains all the essential nutrients that a child needs to sustain life and gain weight. It contains just the right quantities of fat, carbohydrates, proteins, and minerals that a growing baby requires.

In addition to this, human breast milk also contains immunoglobin A.

These are antibodies that are basically protein molecules that are structured to fit onto the surface of most pathogens. When an antibody is glued on to a pathogen, the pathogen is then marked for destruction by the immune system white blood cells and lymphocytes.

Without this identification mechanism, there would be more infant fatalities and this has been proven by studies that state the immune systems of children that are breast fed are more powerful than those who haven’t.

The diet of the mother is also a crucial aspect to the constitution and maintenance of breast milk integrity. Most of the fat content of breast milk comes from the weight loss of the mother after delivery of the child so this is not a requirement in diet.

The other important proteins of breast milk are synthesized in the body so that only leaves the vitamin component as a crucial factor. Vitamins and minerals are stored all over the body but mostly in adipose tissue and in the liver. These stores of vitamins can quickly run out and therefore must be supplemented from the diet.

Vitamin and essential mineral supplementation comes from the increased intake of citrus fruits, leafy greens, fiber, eggs, and also dairy. Dairy is an important component especially for vitamin B. Most B vitamins cannot be synthesized in the body and if not acquired from a meat or egg source, must be acquired with the intake of dairy. Eggs are one of the most all round sources of nutrition that a nursing mother can indulge in because it also contains just the right amount of nutrients.