
Nutrients important during lactation include: folate, calcium, vitamin C, zinc, and vitamin A. The main message is this: eat to meet your appetite, focusing on nutrient-dense foods. Sources: beef, poultry, seafood, eggs, pork, fortified cereal, yogurt, legumes, and seeds.

Sources: citrus fruits and juices, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage, potatoes, green peppers. Vitamin C - Helps both mom and baby fight disease and improve immunity helps the body absorb iron. Sources: dark leafy greens, beans, lentils, dried peas, legumes, some seeds, fortified orange juice, fortified tofu, milk, and yogurt. Sources: green leafy vegetables, green beans, legumes, fortified cereals, and fruit.Ĭalcium - Baby and mom need this for strong bones. Essential Nutrition Needsįolate (aka Folic Acid) - For baby’s brain development, especially if breastfeeding. Here’s a quick rundown on each of these nutrients, why it’s important, and where to get it. These probably sound familiar from your pregnancy days, and they continue to be important. With this in mind, continuing a vitamin while choosing foods from each food group is an important part of being a new mommy.Īside from a well-rounded diet, there are several nutrients you may want to pay special attention to: folate, calcium, vitamin C and zinc. For example, if you are not consuming enough calcium during pregnancy your body takes calcium from your body (i.e., your bones) and gives it to the baby’s growing skeleton. However, sometimes this comes at a cost to mom. In fact, during pregnancy the body does an amazing job of making sure the baby gets everything it needs. This will help replace any deficiencies created during the 40 weeks you were building a human. Even after baby arrives, you should continue to focus on the food you put in your body to help you provide essential nutrients for your baby (if breastfeeding), shed pounds, and have the energy you need to keep up with a little one!įirst and foremost, continue to take your prenatal vitamin. You may have avoided certain foods, or added other foods to your diet.

Nutrition for Mom and BabyĬhances are you took some extra precautions while pregnant to promote the growth of a healthy baby.

Either way, you will find the essential information you need to get you through the first few months and beyond. As a new mom there is plenty to think about: will you breastfeed or bottle feed? What diapers are best? When and where and how will my baby sleep? What can I do to be a fit and healthy mom? It can be a bit overwhelming whether this is your first little munchkin or you’ve been around the block a time or two.
