New guidelines for mothers on nutrition after giving birth

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Nutrition for the mother after giving birth is very important, because the mother's body needs to be provided with adequate nutrients to quickly recover as well as have enough energy to care for the new born baby.

1. How much energy does a mother need after giving birth?

During the first few months, the mother's diet after giving birth will have to provide an energy intake of 1800 to 2200 calories per day, and if the mother is breastfeeding, an additional 500 calories will need to be added. Particularly for mothers who are not underweight, mothers who still work for more than 45 minutes a day, or who are breastfeeding two or more babies, need more energy.
It is better to consult a doctor to ensure that the body provides the necessary amount of energy, as well as for complete instructions on the use of vitamin supplements.

2. Necessary nutritional composition for the mother after giving birth

Postpartum mothers should not have the notion that they must eat a lot for both themselves and their children, because this concept will lead to deviations in nutrition. The mother should eat right, and eat enough so that the body quickly recovers and has enough strength to care for the baby.
With each meal, fruits and vegetables should make up half, and the other half should include whole grains, such as brown rice, whole grain bread, or oatmeal. Try to limit your consumption of processed or packaged foods, as well as beverages that are high in salt, saturated fat, or added sugar.
The mother's body after giving birth also needs to be provided with:
Protein: Foods such as legumes, seafood, lean meat, eggs, and soy products contain a lot of protein, which helps the body quickly. postpartum recovery. The amount of protein you need to provide per day is 5 servings, and if you are breastfeeding, it needs to be increased to 7 servings. Calcium: The mother after giving birth should be supplemented with 1000 mg of calcium every day, equivalent to 3 servings of low-fat milk.

Iron: Iron is an indispensable trace element for the body's red blood cell production, so it becomes especially important for mothers who lose a lot of blood during childbirth. Red meats and poultry are good sources of iron, as are tofu and legumes. Whether a vegetarian or a vegan, the daily requirement of iron for lactating women is 9 mg for adults 19 years of age and older, and 10 mg for adolescents. . If the mother has just given birth to twins, has special health conditions, or is a vegetarian, consult her doctor for proper nutritional guidance and additional supplements (if needed). ).

3. The problem of weight loss in the mother after giving birth

Most new moms will lose about 4.5 pounds (~2 kg) per month. Some people may want to change their diet to accelerate weight loss, but this is not a good idea, because if the daily energy intake falls below 1800 calories, the mother will feel very good. fatigue and negative emotions.
If you are breastfeeding, such a nutritional status will affect the baby. It is best to follow a healthy, balanced diet with enough energy and nutrients, and combine exercise when your doctor has confirmed your body condition is eligible.

4. Foods that a mother should avoid after giving birth

If you are breastfeeding, ingredients in food consumed by the mother can pass into breast milk, so be careful with:
Alcohol: Alcohol and other alcoholic beverages can provide some benefits benefits (especially cardiovascular health benefits) if used in the right way, at the right dose, but that's for normal people, and for mothers after giving birth, it should be absolutely avoided. Experts agree that alcohol can pass into breast milk and thereby make it unsafe for a nursing baby, so the advice for mothers after giving birth is to absolutely avoid drinking alcohol or using other types of beverages. Others contain alcohol. Caffeine: If the mother drinks more than 3 cups of coffee or soda per day (24 ounces ~ 710 mL) it can affect the baby's sleep. Certain types of fish: The flesh of fish such as swordfish, shark, king mackerel, tilefish often contains a lot of mercury (mercury pollution), so the mother should avoid using it for prevention. mercury poisoning for babies. Tuna also usually contains a certain amount of mercury. Postpartum advice for new mothers is to eat only fish that are low or no mercury, and for fish that are low in mercury, eat no more than 6 ounces (~ 170 g) per week.

5. Other nutritional notes for mothers after childbirth

Use healthy snacks: Prepare raw fruits and vegetables as snacks, because they are very healthy and have many nutritional benefits. In general, you should limit unhealthy snacks such as chips, cookies, etc. Drink enough water for the body: Try to drink 6 to 10 glasses of water a day (whether breastfeeding or not. no) to make sure the body is always hydrated. Fresh milk and fruit juices are also recommended for postpartum mothers. Ask relatives and acquaintances to help prepare meals: In the first weeks after giving birth, the mother's body is quite tired and has not recovered in time, so if possible, ask a relative, acquaintance or Friends help cook, prepare meals.

Customers can directly go to Vinmec Health system nationwide to visit or contact the hotline here for support.
Reference article source: webmd.com