If you are still breastfeeding your infant or toddler when another pregnancy begins, you and your child may wish to continue the nursing relationship throughout the pregnancy and beyond. La Leche League, the breastfeeding support group, asserts that breastfeeding remains safe for most mothers and unborn babies during pregnancy. With your doctor's support and proper nutrition, both you and your child can continue to benefit from nursing while your unborn baby grows. A healthy diet and sufficient calorie intake aid a healthy pregnancy.
A nursing mother needs to gain the same amount of weight during pregnancy as a non-nursing mother. Since milk production burns calories, you may need to increase your daily calorie intake to keep gaining weight. If you are breastfeeding while pregnant, you are eating for three rather than two. A nursing mother needs approximately 500 to 650 additional calories per day during milk production, depending on how frequently her baby breastfeeds.
Eat whenever you are hungry. Fatigue can be a signal that your body is not getting enough calories, so eat more if your energy wanes. Snack frequently; small meals may be easier for to digest.
Eat a varied diet rich in vitamins and minerals that includes vegetables, fruit, meat, dairy products and whole-grain carbohydrates. Choose foods high in calories and healthy fats like avocado and olive oil. Try sauteing vegetables in olive oil and drizzling olive oil over whole-grain pasta. Full-fat dairy products and cheeses are healthy choices during pregnancy.
Avoid junk food that fills you up with empty calories. If you have trouble getting enough calories or nutrition, consider supplementation or consult a dietitian for advice.
Vitamins and Minerals
Consider taking a vitamin D supplement while you are pregnant and nursing. Your vitamin D stores will determine your unborn baby's vitamin D level, and many Americans do not get enough vitamin D.
Eat foods high in iron such as red meat and baked potatoes in their skin to prevent anemia. Organ meats are good iron sources, but eat them in small quantities during pregnancy to avoid an excess of vitamin A. If you do become anemic, consider taking iron supplements. Zinc helps your body absorb iron, so a zinc supplement can also help; be sure to take it several hours before or after you take your the iron supplement. If you do not eat animal products, you may need vitamin B-12 supplements in addition to iron.
Nursing mothers may need additional calcium while pregnant. Eat yogurt and cheese and drink cow's milk to obtain this mineral. Eat several portions of dark green vegetables like broccoli or kale, which contain calcium, each day. If you do not include dairy in your diet, drink orange juice fortified with calcium or take a calcium supplement.
Fluids
Milk production requires your body to be adequately hydrated, and pregnancy increases your blood volume. Drink plenty of fluids to make sure your body can accomplish these two tasks simultaneously. Drink any time you are thirsty, and every time you sit down to breastfeed. Avoid coffee and tea, which act as diuretics, taking fluid from your body.
Other Considerations
If you have a history of miscarriage or preterm labor, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of continuing to nurse your baby during your pregnancy. Some factors like sore nipples or a decreased milk supply may encourage you or your nursing child to wean. If you do wean during pregnancy, it's not unusual for the weaned child to begin nursing again once the new baby comes. This is known as tandem nursing.
Tags: your body, during pregnancy, while pregnant, calorie intake, dairy products, enough calories, foods high