Taking care of the nutritional needs of the mother and a new family

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Did you just have a baby?
Take care of yourself too !!!
As a new mother you have just underwent the equivalent of major surgery. It's only normal that you will be weak and have to nursed back to health. It's OK to accept help from others in the first few days. Even if you have traditionally been independent; you will need all the help you can get right now.

Having a new baby in the house tends to focus you on your new responsibilities; one of which is to provide food for your new family. Aunt Sue feels that many times the mother's nutritional needs can be neglected if not carefully monitored after a pregnancy.

Each women is different and has different goals when it comes to "getting back into my old clothes". Aunt Sue feels that if you are going to be breastfeeding you will naturally loose weight from the action of breastfeeding itself. And don't worry... wait a bit; you will certainly run it off later trying to keep up with them.

Uncle Buck suggests increasing dramatically your portion sizes.

If there was one time in your life that you don't want to feel guilty about eating, today is that day. Not only are you recovering but you may truly be eating for 2 for the first time in your life.

Don't feel guilty about consuming larger portions; a full stomach will help you heal faster, sleep better and moderate you moods.

Nothing is more true than: "Wow, it quiet in here when everyone is eating"

Welcome to the wonderful world of parenting; and lots of time at the grocery store!!!

Now you now have to buy food, diapers, wipes, cream, powders, soaps, cleaning supplies and more for at least 2 or 3 people. One of your first decisions will be what the baby will be eating.

Breast milk or formula? We don't take a particular stand on which one is better or worse, it's a personal choice. But we can say that especially in the first few weeks formula can be an excellent SUPPLEMENT to breast milk.

Sometimes the little one is growing so fast that a little bit extra of food can't hurt. Excessive crying can be trying on everyone; even if you intend to breastfeed full-time; at the beginning it sometimes takes a few days (and lots of glasses of water....) to get things going. This is also when the baby needs food the most. And food = sleep; something you both crave at that point. See tips on putting baby to sleep. When choosing your formula we suggest the ones with added Iron since this makes the poop harder; it's easier to handle when changing the diapers.

Breast milk = no bottles. And the formula is always at the right temperature. No bottles to warm, clean and wash; no cases of formula to buy makes breastfeeding an attractive option, if only for practical reasons.

Check out Uncle Buck's Home Cooking Tips to start making affordable, nutritional meals for your family...