Feeding with breast milk is the most suitable, safest and most natural method of feeding a baby, because in addition to providing the energy, nutrients and water needed by the child's body, it increases the child's immunity against diseases.

During breastfeeding, depending on the amount of milk produced, the need for energy and other nutrients and fluids increases, and part of the energy is provided by consuming fats stored in the mother's body during pregnancy...

Read more: Common problems during pregnancy

What is the importance of mother's nutrition during breastfeeding.

Nursing mother should adjust her diet so that she has a balanced and appropriate daily consumption of all food groups.

Food groups include:

Bread and cereal group

Foods in this group include types of bread, rice, pasta, simple biscuits, and ready-made breakfast cereals, which are useful for energy production. Foods in this group contain starch, some protein, iron, and B vitamins... Lactating mothers should receive an average of 7-11 units per day from this group.

Learn more: Increasing breast milk

For more information on how much to eat in each food group, consult your obstetrician or gynecologist online at GCORP LLC.

Each unit of the bread and grain group is equal to a piece of 30 grams (10 x 10 cm) bread, the size of a palm without fingers, and in the case of lavash bread, 3 to 4 palms or half a glass of cooked pasta or rice.

Group of fruits and vegetables

All fruits and vegetables are included in this group and provide vitamins and some minerals needed by the body.... Also, consumption of fruits and vegetables increases resistance to diseases, heals wounds, skin health and helps the body's metabolism.

Daily consumption of at least 5 units of fruits and 4 units of vegetables is necessary for lactating women.

Each unit of the fruit group is equal to a medium fruit such as an orange, apple, mandarin, etc. or half a grapefruit or three quarters of a glass of fresh fruit juice or a quarter of a glass of dried fruit, and each unit of vegetables is equal to a glass of raw vegetables or half a glass of cooked vegetables.

Milk group and its products

This group includes milk and its products such as yogurt, low-fat cheese and curd, which are necessary for the strength of the mother's bones and skin health.... If calcium is not enough in the diet, the calcium required by the baby's milk is supplied through the mother's skeletal reserves, which causes premature osteoporosis of the mother.

Read more: Benefits of feeding a baby with breast milk during infancy

a group of meat, eggs, legumes and nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, pistachios, etc.)

This group includes all types of red meat, chicken, fish, eggs, legumes and nuts (hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios, walnuts, etc.). Foods of this group play a very important role in providing protein and iron needed by nursing mothers.

Nursing mother should consume at least 3 units of food from this group per day, and each unit from this group is equivalent to 60 to 90 grams of red meat, chicken or fish, 2 eggs or a glass of cooked beans.

Read more: Breastfeeding for diabetic mothers

Recommendations for breastfeeding mothers

• Nursing mother should use all food groups in her meal plan.
• In order to prevent the loss of water in the mother's body (dehydration), mothers are advised to consume sufficient amount of liquids and natural fruit juices every day.
• Drinking a glass of liquid such as water, milk or fresh fruit juice is recommended every time breastfeeding.
• The need for vitamins and minerals increases during breastfeeding, but this need can be met by following a balanced diet.
• Light exercises that increase the mother's physical strength and reduce stress are recommended, but heavy exercises are not recommended for nursing mothers.
• Exposure to direct sunlight for at least 20 minutes a day (not during peak sunlight hours) is recommended.
• Avoid chocolate, coffee, carbonated drinks, spicy foods (such as sausages and sausages) and flatulent foods.
• Not having a slimming diet during breastfeeding if the mother is healthy