Becoming a mother is one of the most special and blessed events that can happen in a woman’s lifetime. It is a mothers natural instinct to want what is best for their baby. This role can take place in many different ways, one being nutrition. With today’s advanced knowledge in the field of diet and nutrition, mothers are better able to provide the very best for their infants. Below are a few things that a mother can do for their infants to help assist in that being accomplished.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have done extensive research on the health benefits that are associated with breastfeeding, and it is clear that this is the best way to provide your baby with a healthy start in life. In fact, the longer you breastfeed your child, the less likely they become prone to contract several serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease. Additionally, the possibility of losing your child to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome goes down if you breastfeed. Therefore, the CDC recommends using breast milk as your baby’s primary source of food for the first six months. You should also continue to breastfeed for a minimum of an additional six months while you are introducing your child to other types of food.
To make your infant and yourself as comfortable as possible throughout the breastfeeding process, you should always use a nursing pillow. These pillows make it easier for the child to rest comfortably against you and be positioned correctly so nipple attachment is easier for the baby. Another function of the pillow is for you to use them without your baby to provide comfort for your stomach after giving birth. Some of these nursing pillows (Mombo) are machine washable. Also, a baby can be propped up on a pillow for sleeping purposes or to help them be stabilized while they’re learning to sit.
Why You Should Make Baby’s Food
When you begin to incorporate other food sources into your baby’s diet, it is a good idea to use organic and natural ingredients to make their food. After all, many of the baby food products that are available at your local store are filled with preservatives, food coloring and other nonessential ingredients that can be detrimental to your child’s health. Therefore, even though it will take longer and you will probably have to do some research to find quality recipes, it is always best to make your baby’s food.
Whether or Not to Use a Pump
A lot of women feel concerned about the idea of breastfeeding in public. There are specialized nursing covers for this but some women still feel uncomfortable. For this reason, you can pump if you prefer, but it is important to remember that going back and forth from your breast to a bottle can give your baby nipple confusion. It is recommended that a bottle nipple is not introduced to an infant until at least 6 weeks of age, if nursing. Still, it is always best to stick with one method whenever possible, and the act of breastfeeding will enhance the bond between you and your baby.
By breastfeeding your baby and providing them with food that is made from natural ingredients, you can help them get a jump start to a healthier diet for the rest of their life. By introduction and continued feeding of a healthy, well-balanced diet, you will teach your baby to eat this way through their childhood and into adulthood.Â
Lisa Coleman is passionate about health and writes to share the importance of early nutrition and just how early in a person’s life they should be introduced to a healthy, well-balanced diet. Teaching a baby from the beginning with things like breastfeeding with nursing pillows (Mombo), and continued with organic and natural ingredient baby foods into toddlerhood, will begin to form some good habits for them that will grow with them for a lifetime.
