Breastfeeding Nutrition
Breastfeeding is such a special time for mother and child. Having breastfed all three of my own children I really enjoyed the special bonding time that breastfeeding bought us. Breastfeeding my boy/girl twins for two and a half years is one of the hardest yet most rewarding things I have ever done. It was amazing to be able to spend one-on-one time by feeding them separately. I have fond memories of me sleeping on the couch and my husband sleeping in our bedroom.. He would bring each twin out to me on the couch separately to feed, change their nappy and put them back into bed - repeatedly. Did we ever think we’d get through those first three months? No, not really… Was I exhausted and tired most of the time? Yes. Was it worth it? Definitely. The human body is an amazing thing! I’m an A cup on a good day and the fact that I could exclusively breastfeed twins for the first 6 months of their life and then go on for another two years, with a lot of that being off one side (due to issues with one breast) is truly remarkable. Never doubt what your body is capable of!
One thing in particular I found firsthand and with other mums I have spoken to, is that there seems to be a lack of information regarding the early post-natal breastfeeding period. To be honest I’m not sure you can fully appreciate the joys and struggles associated with early breastfeeding until you experience it yourself. No one can quite prepare you for the breasts that suddenly appear swollen on your chest that literally feel like two rockmelons have been strapped where your boobs used to be, nor the pain that is associated with your milk coming in. This isn’t to turn you off (if you are pregnant and weighing up your feeding options), but I just find the hard parts of breastfeeding aren’t talked about enough… I have always thought about breastfeeding as a bit of a skill, with practice it gets easier for both mother and child. I’m certainly no lactation expert, but I have breastfed all of my children through issues like mastitis, twin feeding and breastfeeding while returning to exercise.
Why breastfeed? Breastmilk contains all the nutrition that your baby needs for the first six or so months of life. Beyond this breastfeeding is still an excellent source of nutrients for your child, however their iron stores start to drop and they’ll require iron from ‘solid’ foods. Breastfeeding also protects your baby from certain illnesses and medical conditions (2). Breastfeeding may also help you return to your pre-pregnancy weight easier, since producing milk requires energy. It is also free and convenient. I can only imagine the amount of money I have saved breastfeeding twins and the amount of dishes we didn’t have to do! I also (personally) found that feeding my babies helped me avoid feelings of depression and anxiety thanks to the wonderful influx of oxytocin that is released while feeding. Hormones are truly fascinating!
Nutrition is extremely important during the post natal period. It can be a truly exhausting time. Whether this is your first child or your tenth, the feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion are still very real. Taking care of yourself can feel like the last thing you have the time or energy for, but it truly is the most important thing you can do for your whole family. You cannot pour from an empty cup, so ensuring you are well nourished will be a great foundation to ensuring you are able to do all the motherly things without falling to pieces. I have written a handout about breastfeeding nutrition which you can download here. It is all about ensuring adequate post-natal nutrition for breastfeeding mothers and talks about calorie requirements, micronutrients and things we need to be wary of during this time.
Time flies with young children! When I look back on the last 8 and a bit years it seems like such a blur. Try and enjoy this special bonding time while they can’t talk back and they actually eat what is put in front of them; because this certainly isn’t the case in our house at the moment. :)
(1) The Royal Women’s Hospital. (2018). Good nutrition for breastfeeding. Retrieved from https://thewomens.r.worldssl.net/images/uploads/fact-sheets/Good-nutrition-for-breastfeeding-2018.pdf(2) The Royal Women’s Hospital. (n.d.). Why breastfeed? Retrieved from https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-overview/why-breastfeed