how do i know if my breastmilk has enough nutrients...?

Question

my baby(4 months) is nursing well but i don't think she has gained enough weight. i don't eat what i should...not too much of an appetite so i don't think shes getting all the nutrirnts she needs...how do i find out?

Answer 1

If you eat the right foods and consume the right nutrients yourself you will pass that on to your baby. If you don't eat the right foods its the same as giving your baby junk food. When you breastfeed, your baby eats what you eat.

Answer 2

Did you know that even women who live through a famine (meaning little to no food) produce quality breastmilk!!! It's true! You cannot base whether your baby is getting enough on weight gain alone.

First of all...know she is getting all the right nutrients. You do not have to be a super over healthy dieter to make quality milk. It may keep you healthy to eat right, but its not going to hurt the baby if you don't.

Secondly, the real question here should be, Is she getting enough CALORIES? How many wet diapers does she have? Should be 5-8. How many poopoie diapers does she have? Should be at least one a day or a really REALLY BIG one every other day or so.

If she is having all the wet and poopie diapers, then she is FINE. Someone has to be on the lower end of the percentile chart. Everyone cannot be at the 50th percentile. She could be small.

Both of my breastfed babies started out small. It's just in our genes to be that way. Don't compare her to other babies....just compare her to herself.

If you weigh her regularly to check her weight, be sure to keep it on the same scale. If you are not checking her weight regularly, I bet the doctors office would let you come by every other week or so for a quick weight check (for free). Just ask. She should be gaining about 4 - 8ozs a week. As long as her weight is going up (and NEVER down) and she has plently of wet/poopie diapers...she is FINE!!!! Regardless of what you are eating.

Answer 3

It won't interfere with the nutrients in the breastmilk; it will interfere with the AMOUNT of breastmilk. Breastmilk works as a supply and demand system; the more that is needed, the more your body produces. If you do not want to supplement, you need to get your milk supply up by putting more demand on your breasts to produce (you can do this through pumping, or nursing your baby more often)

Answer 4

First of all you should still be taking a prenatal vitamin.

Second if you are TRUELY worried about the content of your breastmilk then eat what you should...try to keep the "crapfood" to a minimum. Even if you eat junk...try to at least get a couple of fruits and veggies in there as well as somemilk.

Third all babies are different, consult with your pediatrician and find out what he/she thinks. Just because your baby is petite does not mean she's malnourished.

Take it easy mamma, take care of you, take care of baby and have a good time...these are the best times.

Answer 5

Talk to your pediatrician. Your breast milk should have everything your baby needs, but some docs prescribe vitamin drops because there are like 2 vitamins ( i dont remember which 2) that breast milk doesnt contain. Your babys doc will know how well your child is doing with growth. Its important that you drink plenty of water to keep your milk supply up, and that you eat healthy. Studies show that breast milk is ALWAYS best. Even babies who was only nursed for 6 weeks have been shown to be healthier, stronger, smarter, more confident, and more well-adjusted than babies who are purely formula fed. The longer you nurse, the more dramatic the difference is between breast-fed and formula-fed. You are doing what is best for your child, good for you. But the nursing will suck all the nutrients out of you and give them to your baby, so you have to make sure that you eat well for YOU.

Answer 6

You won't be able to find out until it gets serious so I recommend that you start eating right and take prenatal vitamins everyday. It isn't really about how much you eat but about what you eat. Make sure you get plenty of fruits and veggies and protien and dairy. Avoid eating junkfood and stick with the good stuff. Your baby needs the nutrients and it is your responsibility to take care of yourself so you can take care of her.

Answer 7

The best way for your baby to get all the nutrition she needs is for you to eat a well balanced diet. Eating some junk food is ok, but be sure to do it in moderation. If you don't have much of an appitite then you will have to force yourself to eat healthy, if your hungry or not...for your baby. Don't try to diet to lose weight while your nursing because you need the extra calories, besides, nursing is natures way of slimming you down after birth anyway.

Answer 8

Breastmilk contains EVERYTHING your baby needs. Vit drops aren't even necessary in most cases.

Check the LLL website and Kellymom. com . Breastfed babies also tend to gain weight differently than formula fed babies. Unfortunately, the growth charts in most peds offices are based on formula fed babies from decades ago. As long as your baby is healthy, content, well hydrated, and developmentally on-target you're doing fine.

Answer 9

I don't think there is any doubt that breast milk is best. Make sure you are still taking a good vitamin like Elevit and that will ensure that you are giving your baby the essential vitamins.

Answer 10

Keep taking your prenatal vitamins.....It is a great source of everything that the baby needs....Since you don't eat well, try taking one in the morning and one at 3 or 4.......Ask your doctor too..... that should be enough though.