Hey mom! Nice to have you back. Today we continue with the postnatal nutrition series and today you will learn how much fluid your body needs exactly during breastfeeding and which drinks are good for you and your bundle of joy.
How much should a breastfeeding mom drink?
Breast milk consists mostly of water, so you give off some fluid to your baby when breastfeeding.Therefore, during breastfeeding, you should make sure that you drink abundantly and regularly. In general, you should take about two liters of fluid per day, a guideline that non-breastfeeding moms should definitely adhere to. However, this will be enough for a sporty mom who is very active and hardly enough in hot temperatures. Therefore, I recommend at least 2.5 liters on such days to take. Too little hydration has a negative effect on milk production and makes us tired and deprived of energy!
My tip for you: Drink a glass of water before and after every time you breastfeed, so it will definitely be easier to drink enough every day.
Which liquids are suitable for breastfeeding moms?
I would advise you to use mineral water, tap water, unsweetened herbal and fruit teas or diluted fruit and vegetable juices. For a healthy lifestyle, drinks without sugar and additives are preferred. Sage and peppermint tea are considered to inhibit milk formation, so you should be careful here which type of tea you use. There are also special teas that are intended to promote milk production, but this has not yet been scientifically proven. If you like these teas, you are welcome to drink them in the recommended daily amount.
With caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, green and black tea, Coca-Cola, etc., you should be careful, because here you must not exceed a certain amount, otherwise it can have negative consequences for your little one. These can be, for example: hyperactivity, restlessness, insomnia. One to two cups a day are fine, take them at best after breastfeeding. Also note that pure coffee (espresso) also removes fluid from the body at the same time. So if you drink it pure, be sure to take a glass of water at the same time.
Alcohol and energy drinks should be avoided during breastfeeding, because it inhibits the milk donor reflex and brings further disadvantages for you and your little one. More information on the correct handling of stimulants during breastfeeding (coffee, alcohol, etc.) can be found in a separate blog article.
Benefits of adequate hydration especially for breastfeeding moms
You and your baby will benefit a lot if you drink enough. The skin looks rosy and healthy and your little one is in a good mood and active. This also has a positive effect on the weight of the little one, so it helps to gain weight to a healthy extent. In addition, proper drinking increases the appetite for breast milk. Also for you it brings some plus points with it:
- More energy in the new mom’s everyday life
- More beautiful skin / anti-aging effect
- less cravings
- better metabolism
- More performance in sports
and much more.
Drink yourself fit after childbirth
Don’t worry too much about hydration so soon after birth. It is perfectly normal if you slowly increase your fluid requirements in the puerperium. Your baby’s body also needs less drinking at first, the daily requirement then increases daily. On the first day after birth, your little one needs about 2 to 20 ml, compared to 80 to 100 ml on the 10th postnatal day. The exact quantities in between can be found here. During this time, it is important for two of you: Gather strength and slowly but surely approach the recommended amounts. By the way, note that you feed your sweetheart in the first six months only with breast milk and do not give water, which in the worst case can lead to a disturbance of the sodium balance and thus to water poisoning.
My tip: At best, get a supply of drinks for the time after the birth, so that you have them directly at hand.
Drinking enough is very important for your body. If you are a breastfeeding mom, I would recommend to consume enough of fluids. It brings you and your bundle of joy a healthier life.
Stay hydrated,
Your Birte
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