There’s a lot of attention paid to what babies and toddlers should be eating, but many moms may not realize how important it is for them
to continue eating well during
this critical time, especially if they are breastfeeding. Some women
may find it difficult to eat a well-balanced diet while adjusting to
caring for a newborn. New research found many moms don't get high levels of key nutrients in their diet.
A breastfeeding mom's diet may be low on:
- DHA: (docosahexaenoic acid) a fatty acid essential for a baby’s brain development
- Lutein: a component in breast milk that supports eye health
- Vitamin E: an important antioxidant to support developing cells
Many
leading dietary organizations say it’s ideal for pregnant and lactating
women to consume at least 200 milligrams of DHA and 19 milligrams of
vitamin E per day. A desired
level of lutein is estimated to be 4-7 milligrams, based on recommended
vegetable servings from the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. As an
example, to achieve the desired levels of DHA, lutein and vitamin E in
their diets, women would need to eat three 4
ounce servings of salmon a week as a source of DHA, 1 ounce of almonds
or peanuts a day as a source of vitamin E and 2 cups of cooked broccoli a
day as a source of lutein.
I had a chance to interview Abbott Research Scientist Christina Sherry
to help moms understand how they can get these key
nutrients in their diets, including by incorporating a breastfeeding supplement into their diet and multivitamin
regimen. You can learn more about breastfeeding, including tips and positions, at Similac Breastfeeding.
Study links:
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