Caring for Yourself During Pregnancy and Beyond

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NatureMadePrenatalDHA #CollectiveBias

Looking for on-the-go nutrition for the busy new mom while breastfeeding? Here is a list of healthy snacks that will help keep mom’s nutrition and energy up no matter what time of day she’s nursing!

So you’ve made it through the last 9-10 months and you have your sweet baby in your arms! BEST. FEELING. EVER. But the work isn’t over. Don’t get me wrong, it’s the best work ever, but the sleepless nights and trying to produce a food supply for another human can be exhausting. All the while trying to find your new normal. It’s a lot! So I wanted to share a few tips to make sure you are doing one of the most important things you can do right now and that is to stay healthy and get the nutrition you need. I was lucky enough to team up with Nature Made® Prenatal Multi + DHA at Sam’s Club to bring this to you since those vitamins are an important part of your post baby and breastfeeding care.

BREASTFEEDING NUTRITION

As you already know, you should start taking a prenatal 6 months before you start trying to get pregnant. Taking Nature Made® Prenatal Multi + DHA has a huge list of benefits which include:

• Providing essential vitamins and minerals (before and during pregnancy) including Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Iodine, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin D3†
• Providing 200 mg DHA which may help support fetal brain and eye development †
• “Free from”:
  • No Synthetic Dyes
  • No Yeast or Starch
  • No Artificial Flavors
  • Gluten Free
  • Clinically proven absorption of Folic Acid and Iron
• Folic Acid is an important B Vitamin for Women of Childbearing Age and Pregnant Women – Plays a critical role in the proper development of the baby’s nervous system.†
• Adequate folic acid in healthful diets may reduce a woman’s risk of having a child with a neural tube defect.

But what you may not know is that you will want to keep taking your prenatal vitamins AFTER you have had your baby. I think this is a good rule whether you are breastfeeding or not as your body finds its way back to homeostasis. But if you ARE breastfeeding it’s extremely important you keep your body fully supplied with the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs. This can be difficult as your body is using extra nutrients to make milk for the baby too. Make it easy on yourself and get Nature Made® Prenatal Multi + DHA so that you only need one per day and an easy-to-swallow softgel.

I don’t know about you but I find when I am breastfeeding eating is also the last thing on my mind. I know it’s partly the hormones and partly just being so focused on feeding schedules (and probably wanting to sleep more than anything else) that I forget to eat. And then I have friends who are totally famished while breastfeeding. Like more so than when they were pregnant.

No matter which camp you fall into, taking prenatals, and being prepared with healthy, on-the-go, easy snacks is a key part of maintaining good milk supply and feeling good yourself.

Here Are Some Of My Favorite Snacks

1. Hummus + fresh veggies or whole grain crackers. The go-to lunch for my dynamic duo, hummus is Mom’s favorite plant-based protein. Not only do I feel more satisfied when I get enough protein throughout the day, I can easily dip my way throughout the day when I pass the fridge!

2. Protein power bites + a glass of milk. These are my favorite go-to! They can be frozen and you just grab some for the day. Perfect snack on the go or at home, plus they are like a dessert but good for you!

 

3. Cottage cheese + fresh fruit. I could eat cottage cheese all day long. And the good news is so could the boys. Their favorite topping? Sprinkles!! But Mom opts for fruit and veggies for a little crunch and lots of nutrients.

4. Peanut (or almond) butter + apples or bananas. If you’re noticing a theme here you’ll see I’m always trying to get a little protein into my snacks. Protein = fullness = satisfied = less snacking. See where I’m going with this?

 

5. Greek yogurt + fresh fruit + granola. Again, another protein-packed favorite for me and the boys. Sometimes I’ll even add a little granola for extra crunch!

 

6. Peanut Butter + celery. Sort of like peas and carrots, right? The combo just goes together! And if I’m out of celery I’ll happily take some peanut butter on crackers!

 

7. Hard boiled eggs + a glass of chocolate milk. While it seems like an odd combo, I know I’m getting healthy fats and plenty of protein from both food choices!

 

8. Protein shake + banana or apple. I can get the protein and nutrients I need from the shake with an extra boost of vitamins and the feeling of “eating” from the fruit.

 

9. Cheese and strawberries. I love the small individually wrapped cheeses that I can pair with delicious fresh strawberries or apples.

Stay hydrated! Try fruit infused water if you find you aren’t drinking enough water. I love the extra little boost of flavor. ***I have also heard adding a few drops of lemon or grapefruit essential oils can be a delicious twist. I like using essential oils but ALWAYS talk to your doctor between using any.***

Studies have shown that most healthy breastfeeding women maintain an abundant milk supply while taking in 1800-2200 (or more) calories per day. Consuming less than 1500-1800 calories per day may put your milk supply at risk, as may a sudden drop in caloric intake.

One of the best places you can get your snack supplies AND your Nature Made® Prenatal Multi + DHA is Sam’s Club. You are going to want to buy these vitamins in bulk since you will be taking them for so long, and let’s not forget about the incredible savings you get at Sam’s Club.

So here’s to taking care of ourselves so that we have 110% to give to our little ones. This is such a crazy time of life don’t leave your nutrition to chance or last priority. I hope this gives you some easy ideas to make sure you are taken care of too!

XO~ Melissa

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.