The feeding of the nursing mother in summer

Scientific research ensures that a breastfeeding woman should eat and drink more during the period of breastfeeding. Fortunately, the nutritional status of the mother -except in cases of extreme malnutrition- does not interfere in the capacity of milk production or in the quality of breast milk. But

Scientific research ensures that a breastfeeding woman should eat and drink more during the period of breastfeeding. Fortunately, the nutritional status of the mother -except in cases of extreme malnutrition- does not interfere in the capacity of milk production or in the quality of breast milk. But, with the arrival of summer, the mother's diet must contain a greater amount of water to maintain its water balance.

Should the diet be changed during breastfeeding?

You could say that the baby always gets the best part. For this reason, it is the woman who has to take care of herself because, otherwise, her health could be damaged. In most cases, the responsibility of housing a human being entails healthy habits, which usually continue during lactation.

In fact, to maintain an adequate nutritional status, the mother's diet during breastfeeding should not be very different from the one she had when she was pregnant.

The composition of breast milk hardly depends on what the mother eats. The composition of the fat in the milk yes that obeys partly to what the woman ingested. Thus, eating more fruit and not abusing sweets will not improve the health of the baby, but that of the mother.

There is controversy about the amount of extra calories that should be ingested during breastfeeding, but the theoretical calculation will always differ from reality. The studies point to a recommended daily intake of 2,700 kcal, 500 calories more than the woman who does not breastfeed.

How to maintain proper hydration during breastfeeding

Nursing mothers agree that breastfeeding is very thirsty. But what is the reason? 88% of breast milk is water por, so hydration during breastfeeding is especially important for women, since milk production significantly increases water loss.Thus, during this period it is necessary to have an adequate consumption of water to compensate for the losses caused by the production of breast milk. The

European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends that lactating women increase their water consumption, around 700 ml / day, that is to say, that 2,700 ml of fluids per day are consumed. But, regardless of the theoretical recommendations, a woman who is breastfeeding should drink what she needs. No more no less. And do not force yourself to drink a certain amount, since the popular belief that the more water is drunk, the more milk is produced, is false. In fact, scientific experiments have been conducted with lactating women who, for weeks, drank several liters of water per day and the result was the same amount of milk. Qué And no doubt, the most recommendable and healthy thing to do to face the heat is to drink water, natural juices or cold infusions, as well as avoid sugary and bubbly drinks.

Susana Torres

Lactation consultant

Collaborator of Guiainfantil.com