Mothers need to breast feed their babies as per a well formulated plan for the health of the child as well as the mother. Only a healthy mother could sufficiently breast feed her baby with wholesome milk, and therefore maintaining the mother in excellent health is very important. She needs to have a balanced diet, sufficient exercise, plenty of fresh air and a clean environment to maintain good health. It is important to note that the ill-health of a nursing mother is sure to affect her baby.
Mothers need not take any extra or special diet to increase the flow and quality of milk. It is sufficient that they continue with the normal healthy diet they are used to. Some may suggest that mothers should take a pint of some alcoholic substance such as porter or wine to improve her health. But this is a wrong notion, and in fact it may lead to deteriorating health and decrease in the quantity and quality of milk.
A case study will prove the above point. Mrs. Laura, a young first time mother, was
in normal health after childbirth. She had hardly any problem with nursing or breastfeeding. She had enough milk and the baby was satisfied. However, as per the advice of some friends, she started taking a pint and half of porter twice a day to fortify her milk production. The friends had convinced her that this practice was necessary to maintain her good health and the quantity and quality of her milk or it might deteriorate after some time.
However, after a few days of the said schedule, she felt weak and drowsy and gradually developed a fever affecting her milk production. And the baby began to show symptoms of stomach upsets. She was advised to discontinue the intake of porter, and after a few days she and the infant recovered their health and everything was well again.
She was also advised to restart her dietetic plan she was used to before child birth. Accordingly, she began to drink an occasional glass of wine or a cup of beer. In addition, she also drank half a pint of barley milk two times a day. The mother and child continued to remain healthy and the child did not have to take any food other than the mother’s milk for nine months.
Posted on April 12th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Baby, Breastfeeding, Diet, Toddler
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