Is this healthy for the baby?

Question

I have a 3 week old daughter and i pump about 6 ounces or milk a day. Today all I ate was a bowl or potato salad. Should I eat more?

I dont mean just eat this for the rest of the day i mean is that the only thing i should eat for lunch because I really am not hungry.

Answer 1

YES, you need to eat more. You need calories to product breastmilk. And you need a balanced diet with protein, a wide array of vitamins and calcium. Your body will "steal" protein and calcium out of your own muscles and bones if you don't consume them while you are nursing.

Please contact a doctor or La Leche League if you need help in planning a healthy diet while you are nursing a baby.

Answer 2

Yes you should. Make sure you are taking a multivitamin as well so you don't deplete your calcium supplies. Your milk will be there for the baby as long as your hydrated, but your body steals its own reserves for the milk so the only one missing out here is you. Also over time your milk will lose it's quality if you are depleted of nutrients.
Also I don't even know why you would ask a question like this. I know you already know the answer, otherwise you wouldn't have bothered asking.

Answer 3

You are the one it is not healthy for. The baby is getting the nutrients it needs from your body, before you are getting them. Nature made it that way for survival of the species. Your body feeds her first and then you get what's left. You need to be sure to drink plenty of water because your body is giving her a lot of liquid. You should certainly pay attention to your own hunger cues and eat when you are hungry. It is important to eat in a healthy manner, for both of you. One day of nothing but potato salad will certainly do neither of you any harm but, it is important for you to keep your own health in mind and that of your baby when you are choosing what to eat.

Answer 4

Yes you should be taking in atleast 500 extra calories a day to help with your milk supply. And make sure it's healthy because you don't want your baby to take in empty calories. If this is a problem then just bottled feed with formula because that is better than unhealthy breast milk.

Answer 5

You should defiantly eat more, eat a balanced meal, if your body cannot transfer the needed vitamins and minerals from the food you eat and transfer that to your breast milk it will take it from your body. imagine a car with an empty tank turning the frame into fuel. eventually the car will fall apart. so your baby will be fine for the time being, but you are just harming yourself, as of now.

Answer 6

You need to eat enough calories to make sure your body can produce enough milk. Whatever your baby needs, your body will provide - regardless of what you eat. It will draw nutrition from your body.

You might not want to eat ONLY potato salad too often, but it won't hurt the baby.

Answer 7

no it's not healthy for you and your baby to eat only potato salad.
eat at least 3 times per day and real food! if you are breast feeding a baby you have to drink at least a glass of milk ones in a while (if you don't drink milk).

Answer 8

A nursing mother needs at least 500 more calories a day than the average female so START EATING GIRL!

You are depriving yourself and the baby of proper nutrients.

Answer 9

A breastfeeding mother should get atleast 500 EXTRA calories a day on top of the recommended 2000 a day. I know it sounds like a lot but its worth it knowing your baby is getting good nutrition.

Answer 10

Yes you should. My milk dried up from not eating and drinking enough. My daughter had gotten very sick and was hospitalized, I did not even think about myself was just terrified and focused on her. It did not dawn on me that if I was not eating and drinking healthy it would effect my milk supply.