After giving birth, every detail about the baby is very important for the mother, even the smallest details. However, it’s hard to prioritize these issues. One topic that mothers are most concerned about, even before birth, is breastfeeding. Questions like "Will I have enough milk?" and "Will my baby latch properly?" are among the biggest worries of mothers.
Breast milk is ready, at the right temperature, and healthy. It is also the easiest food in terms of convenience for the mother. There is no need to prepare or heat formula every time. Aside from learning the breastfeeding process, there are no difficulties.
For the first six months, the baby only needs breast milk. After six months, the baby should continue breastfeeding until two years old, along with complementary foods. Babies who are breastfed adequately have a stronger immune system compared to those who are not breastfed. In adulthood, they tend to suffer less from illnesses such as heart disease and cancer.
This extended breastfeeding period also requires the mother to pay attention to her own health and nutrition. Breast milk is made from the mother’s own resources (reserves). If these resources are depleted or if the mother is not eating a balanced diet, her health can be negatively affected. By eating a balanced and regular diet, the mother can replenish these reserves, ensuring the continuous production of breast milk.
Importance of Fluid Intake
One of the most important things for mothers to pay attention to during breastfeeding is fluid intake. Considering that 85% of breast milk is water, it’s clear why staying hydrated is so important.
The recommended fluid intake for breastfeeding mothers is 10-12 glasses a day.
3 Key Factors for Increasing Milk Production: Food, Peace, and Calmness
During the first six months, babies experience a phase where the mother’s diet also affects gas production. Foods that are likely to cause gas should be avoided or minimized. More animal proteins should be preferred. Legumes like beans, lentils, chickpeas, and peas can increase gas in babies.
However, it’s important to note that it’s not possible to completely prevent or eliminate gas pains or colic issues in babies. Despite this, maintaining a balanced diet with foods that are less likely to cause gas should be part of the mother’s lifestyle. In addition to nutrition, peace, calm, and plenty of rest are crucial for increasing milk quantity and quality. The more calm, balanced, and rested the mother is, the better the baby will be.
Energy Needs and Diet After 6 Months
For a mother who believes in the benefits of breastfeeding and plans to breastfeed until her baby turns two, after six months, she should pay attention to both her own diet and her baby’s diet while continuing her breastfeeding journey.
During this period, the mother should eat a sufficient amount of every type of food, whether it’s gas-producing or not, and continue to pay attention to her fluid intake.
Breastfeeding requires an additional 300-500 calories per day. The body needs calcium (from milk, yogurt, cheese), protein (from meat, milk, eggs), iron, and vitamin B12-rich foods during this period.
Breastfeeding helps the mother lose weight. It can help her return to her pre-pregnancy weight. However, consuming excessive amounts of food during this time can lead to weight gain. If the mother eats less than needed, it may result in health problems and a decrease in milk production.