Mother's Milk Is The Best Nourishment For The Baby

According to WHO, mother's milk produces antibodies in the baby which helps in protecting them against many childhood diseases. Doctors recommend feeding the baby only the mother's milk for at least 6 months because this milk is capable of fulfilling the necessary nutritional requirements of the baby. But are there any additional efforts required to make the mother’s milk more nourishing? Let us know more about it.

In most of the Indian households, post-delivery, mothers are given a diet that not only nourishes their body but also increases the production of breast milk. Her diet is rich in indigenous spices and has many traditionally prepared dishes to provide her with good nutrition and make breast milk even more nutritious for the baby. Besides this, doctors too say that if the mother is having a healthy and complete diet post-delivery, then she need not worry about the nutrition of the milk.

Mother’s Diet Should Be Balanced And Digestible

Dr. Latika Joshi, senior Pediatrician, Dehradun, Uttarakhand says that after giving birth, the food consumed by the mother must be light and easy to digest because heavy food can be problematic for the child too. Lactating mothers can be given all kinds of food, provided that it is not heavy, i.e. too spicy or oily. The reason behind it is that the baby is completely dependent on the mother’s milk and her diet can affect both their health. However, no extra effort, besides a healthy and balanced diet, is required to make breast milk nutritious for the baby.

Dr. Joshi states that a mother's breast milk contains the right amount of micronutrient profiles to meet the nutritional needs of babies. Those which are not only easy to digest, but also strengthen the immunity of the baby. But, if the mother is facing any problem in breastfeeding or is suffering from any disease, due to which the quantity of milk produced in her body is not sufficient or the baby is not getting all the nutrients, the doctor may advise her to have a special diet or take supplements.

Special Traditional Indian Diet For The Mother

Nutritionist Kavita Singh says that after the birth of the child in our country, there is a tradition of including many dry fruits, laddoos, and sweets prepared from ghee and sugar syrup in the diet of the mother. Foods that are high in calories are given.

But, after the birth of the child, the mother does not require a high-calorie diet. Excessive ghee or sweets can affect the health of both the mother and the child. She explains that post-delivery, laddoos or panjiri (famous Indian sweets) should be consumed in small quantities only. In contrast to this, dry fruits consumed in the right quantity undoubtedly help in nourishing the body. A handful of dry fruits a day are beneficial.

Furthermore, lactating mothers should always eat according to their appetite. Breastfeeding usually increases the appetite of the mother, but if for any reason she does not feel hungry, she must consult her doctor.

What Should Be The Ideal Diet?

Kavita Singh advises a balanced diet plan to be followed by the mother. This should include starchy food such as rice, whole grain roti, potatoes, and semolina along with dairy products such as a glass of milk, yogurt, pulses, eggs, oats, as well as fruits and vegetables in sufficient quantity, to ensure proper nourishment. She says that usually, the mother should avoid eating non-vegetarian food for the first 6 months because if her digestion is not proper, then the baby can have digestive problems like gas.

No Additional Diet Required For The Baby For First 6 Months

Dr. Latika Joshi explains that after the birth of the baby, he/she should not be given anything additional like water or milk. Mother's milk provides the baby with all the nutrients like iron, calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D, and other essential nutrients to the baby at this time. But due to certain reasons, if the mother's body is facing problems in the production of milk or the child keeps crying even after drinking milk, then it becomes necessary to contact the doctor.