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Don't forget to feed the feeder! Nutrition tips for breastfeeding mothers

Don't forget to feed the feeder! Nutrition tips for breastfeeding mothers

Borneo Post4 days ago
Nurfazira Binti Saifudin
Importance of breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways to protect both mothers and infants. As we commemorate World Breastfeeding Week, it's the perfect time to highlight an often-overlooked aspect of successful breastfeeding: maternal nutrition.
When a mother breastfeeds, her body uses up a lot of energy and nutrients to make good milk for the baby. If she doesn't eat well, her own body can get tired or weak. That's why it's really important for breastfeeding mothers to eat healthy; it helps both the mother and the baby stay strong.
Breastfeeding diet for breastfeeding mothers
To meet these extra needs, a mother's body needs about 500 more calories each day. Choosing the right kinds of food helps keep her energy up and supports her overall well-being. So, what should breastfeeding mothers eat? There is no need for expensive or fancy foods; just a variety of healthy local options can do the job well. First, eat balanced meals. Try to include all food groups in your daily meals, such as carbohydrate like rice, bread, noodles, etc, protein like eggs, chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh, or beans. Vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. Second, drink enough water. Try to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, more in hot weather or if you're very active. You can also get fluids from soup, milk, or an herbal drink.
Some key micronutrients mothers can focus on. Calcium is needed to keep bones strong and healthy. You can get it from milk, yogurt, cheese, or calcium-fortified soy products. Iron helps with energy and keeps your immune system strong. Good sources include lean meats, liver, spinach, and legumes like lentils or chickpeas. Vitamin B12 is important for the nervous system and is especially crucial for mothers who don't eat meat, such as vegetarians or vegans. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, support your baby's brain development and can be found in oily fish like salmon and sardines, or in chia seeds and flaxseeds. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium properly. The best source is safe sunlight exposure, but it can also be found in fortified foods or taken as a supplement if needed.
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Don't forget to feed the feeder! Nutrition tips for breastfeeding mothers
Don't forget to feed the feeder! Nutrition tips for breastfeeding mothers

Borneo Post

time4 days ago

  • Borneo Post

Don't forget to feed the feeder! Nutrition tips for breastfeeding mothers

Nurfazira Binti Saifudin Importance of breastfeeding Breastfeeding is one of the most powerful ways to protect both mothers and infants. As we commemorate World Breastfeeding Week, it's the perfect time to highlight an often-overlooked aspect of successful breastfeeding: maternal nutrition. When a mother breastfeeds, her body uses up a lot of energy and nutrients to make good milk for the baby. If she doesn't eat well, her own body can get tired or weak. That's why it's really important for breastfeeding mothers to eat healthy; it helps both the mother and the baby stay strong. Breastfeeding diet for breastfeeding mothers To meet these extra needs, a mother's body needs about 500 more calories each day. Choosing the right kinds of food helps keep her energy up and supports her overall well-being. So, what should breastfeeding mothers eat? There is no need for expensive or fancy foods; just a variety of healthy local options can do the job well. First, eat balanced meals. Try to include all food groups in your daily meals, such as carbohydrate like rice, bread, noodles, etc, protein like eggs, chicken, fish, tofu, tempeh, or beans. Vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. Second, drink enough water. Try to drink 8-10 glasses of water a day, more in hot weather or if you're very active. You can also get fluids from soup, milk, or an herbal drink. Some key micronutrients mothers can focus on. Calcium is needed to keep bones strong and healthy. You can get it from milk, yogurt, cheese, or calcium-fortified soy products. Iron helps with energy and keeps your immune system strong. Good sources include lean meats, liver, spinach, and legumes like lentils or chickpeas. Vitamin B12 is important for the nervous system and is especially crucial for mothers who don't eat meat, such as vegetarians or vegans. Omega-3 fatty acids, especially DHA, support your baby's brain development and can be found in oily fish like salmon and sardines, or in chia seeds and flaxseeds. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium properly. The best source is safe sunlight exposure, but it can also be found in fortified foods or taken as a supplement if needed.

Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: Aug 8, 2025
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time5 days ago

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UNICEF praises South Sudan's notable progress in breastfeeding promotion
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The Star

time04-08-2025

  • The Star

UNICEF praises South Sudan's notable progress in breastfeeding promotion

JUBA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- South Sudan has made significant progress in promoting breastfeeding, with the proportion of children under six months exclusively breastfed increasing to 73 percent in 2024 from 45 percent in 2010, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) said on Monday. According to UNICEF, to reach the 2027 national target of 80 percent of children exclusively breastfed, the whole of society must address women's barriers to exclusive breastfeeding. "We must all play our part to support breastfeeding mothers and break down the barriers they face," said UNICEF Representative in South Sudan Noala Skinner, during the launch of a commemoration to mark the World Breastfeeding Week in Juba, the capital of South Sudan. South Sudan's Minister of Health Sarah Cleto Rial said that prioritizing breastfeeding requires the active commitment and support of everyone. "The government reaffirms its commitment by empowering healthcare workers with skills to provide breastfeeding counselling in antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care and strengthening hospital and community linkages," she added. UNICEF also noted that in South Sudan, three out of every 10 newborns remain deprived of their right to a healthy start to life and miss out on the appropriate first food in the first six months of life. Barriers faced by mothers include cultural practices, lack of support at home and work, misinformation, aggressive marketing of breastmilk substitutes, and the pressures of insecurity and displacement, which hinder successful breastfeeding, the agency warned. It added that improving breastfeeding practices is essential to combat South Sudan's persistently high rates of infant mortality and acute malnutrition. The World Breastfeeding Week takes place from Aug. 1 to 7, with a global theme of "Prioritize Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems."

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