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Breastfeed
and
Shape Up
How to eat well,
give baby the best start
and get into shape!
© Child and Adolescent Health Service, Department of Health, 2011
Local Contact
Disclaimer
The advice and information contained herein is provided
in good faith as a public service. However the accuracy
of any statements made is not guaranteed and it is the
responsibility of readers to make their own enquiries as
to the accuracy, currency and appropriateness of any
information or advice provided. Liability for any act or
omission occurring in reliance on this document or for any
loss, damage or injury occurring as a consequence of such
act or omission is expressly disclaimed.
To order this publication and others, visit
www.health.wa.gov.au/ordering
This document can be made available
in alternative formats on request from
a person with disability. Please contact
childcommunity@health.wa.gov.au
Breastfeeding helps...
bonding between mother and infant
protect baby against infection and allergy
protect against obesity and diseases later in life
develop baby’s intelligence.
your body return to normal after childbirth
a speedy return to pre-pregnancy shape and
body weight
protect against osteoporosis, pre-menopausal
breast and ovarian cancers.
The benefits
reastmilk is the perfect food for your baby. It
provides all the nutrients your baby needs for
the first six months of life, and is an important food
for the first year.
While breastfeeding is the most natural thing in the
world, not all mothers find it easy. In the early days
many women experience some difficulties, but they
can be overcome with advice, assistance and support.
B
Australian health authorities recommend giving
babies only breastmilk until they are six months
old. Then continue breastfeeding until 12 months
of age – and beyond, while baby is introduced
to other foods.
Experts say...
Baby
Mother
How Dad
can help...
Fathers can assist by:
encouraging mother to breastfeed
providing drinks, snacks and help with cooking
helping with day-to-day chores
allowing time for mother to rest.
Best food choices for
breastfeeding mothers
ou may find your appetite increases when you
start breastfeeding. This is because your body has
a greater need for most nutrients.
You need more energy (kilojoules) when you are
producing breastmilk. Some of the energy comes from
body fat stored during pregnancy.
To meet your extra needs
it is important to eat a
variety of nutritious foods.
The Guide will help you
make the best choices.
Eat the recommended serves from each of the five
food groups.
Healthy eating is
important when you
are breastfeeding
Enjoy a variety
of foods every day
The AusTrAliAn Guide To heAlThy eATinG
= 2 slices of bread
= 1 medium bread roll
= 1 cup cooked rice, pasta or noodles
= 1 cup porridge
= 11/3 cup breakfast cereal
= 1/2 cup muesli
= 1 medium piece (eg. apple, banana, orange, pear)
= 2 small pieces (eg. apricots, kiwi fruit, plums)
= 1 cup diced or canned fruit
= 1/2 cup 100% juice
= dried fruit (eg. 4 apricot halves, 11/2 tbsp sultanas)
= 1/2 cup cooked vegetables
= 1/2 cup cooked or canned beans, lentils,
chick peas or split peas
= 1 cup salad vegetables
= 1 small potato
Bread, cereals,
rice, pasta,
noodles
Vegetables,
legumes
Fruit
Milk, yogurt, cheese
Meat, fish, poultry,
eggs, nuts, legumes
5-7 serves
per day
7 serves
per day
5 serves
per day
2-3 serves
per day
2 serves
per day
= 250 mL (1 cup) milk
= 1/2 cup evaporated milk
= 40 g (2 slices) cheese
= 200 g (1 small carton) yogurt
= 250 mL (1 cup) custard
Limit “extra”foods. Some foods do not fit into the five food groups. They contain too much fat, sugar
and/or salt and very few essential nutrients. Choose carefully - only eat these foods sometimes or in small amounts.
Avoid sugar substitutes and drinks high in kilojoules, sugar or artificial sweeteners (eg. soft drinks and diet drinks).
Eat at least the following serves
from the five food groups:
Recommended serves for breastfeeding mothers
A serve is...
= 65 - 100 g cooked lean meat or chicken
(eg. 1/2 cup mince, 2 small chops, 2 slices of
roast)
= 1/2 cup cooked or canned beans, lentils,
chick peas or split peas
= 80 - 120 g cooked fish fillet
= 2 small eggs
= 1/3 cup peanuts or almonds
= 1/4 cup sunflower or sesame seeds
(Choose
reduced fat
varieties)
Y
Will dieting help?
Weight loss diets are not
recommended for
breastfeeding mothers.
Eat in line with the
Australian Guide to
Healthy Eating.
Don’t skip meals.
Limit foods high in fat
and sugar such as lollies,
chocolate, soft drinks,
cakes, chips, crisps,
savoury snacks and
take-aways.
Use healthy cooking
methods - steam, boil
or grill. Trim fat from
meats and avoid
fried foods.
Q
A
Q
A
Q
A
How can I return to my pre-pregnancy weight?
Breastfeeding helps you shape up. Breastfeed for at least 12 months. Be sure to choose nutritious foods. A sensible aim is to lose half a kilogram a week.
What about exercise?
Being active helps you shape up. Broke
n
sleep and looking after your new baby
can make you feel tired. Doing some
gentle exercise helps you relax and give
s
an overall sense of well-being. Start by
taking your baby for a walk. Wait until
your six-week check with your doctor
before swimming or starting more
strenuous exercise.
Shaping Up
What to do if...
Your baby has ‘gastro’ (vomiting or diarrhoea)
There is normally no need to stop breastfeeding. Offer
extra breastfeeds to replace fluid loss. Babies can
dehydrate quickly. Do not delay seeking medical help.
You are losing more weight than you want to
Do not stop breastfeeding. Seek advice from a health
professional.
You may need to find ways to eat more.
Try these suggestions:
• Don’t skip meals
• Have three main meals
and three between-meal
snacks
• Keep easy-to-prepare nutritious snack foods
on hand (eg. crackers and cheese, fresh fruit,
yogurt, nuts and dried fruit, milkshakes or
fruit smoothies)
You think you’re not producing enough milk
Offer extra breast feeds to your baby as sucking on the
breast helps produce more breastmilk. Make sure you
are eating a nutritious diet, drinking plenty of water and
getting as much rest as possible. Taking care of yourself
helps you take care of your baby.
When you next visit the child health nurse or GP ask
them to check your baby’s weight. A baby who is
gaining weight is getting enough breastmilk.
Did you Know?
Be Aware...
The more your baby sucks at the breast, the more
breastmilk you make.
Feed according to need, whenever your baby show signs
of hunger or fussiness. Your baby will be happier and your
milk supply greater.
If your baby is sucking on a dummy (pacifier) or a bottle, he
or she won’t feed as much and your milk supply will
decrease.
Topping up with infant formula can reduce your breastmilk
supply.
Breastfeeding offers some protection against allergy. Families
with a history of allergies should consult their specialist.
Breastfeeding is not a reliable method of contraception.
Check with your GP for suitable contraceptive methods.
Caffeine passes into your breastmilk and onto your
baby.
Limit caffeine containing drinks (coffee, tea, coc
oa,
cola, and energy drinks with guarana or cola nut).
Alcohol passes into breastmilk, which is then
absorbed by the infant. Breastfeeding mothers
are
advised not to drink alcohol. If you do drink
alcohol, limit the amount to one drink a day t
aken
just after feeding. This will allow most of th
e
alcohol to be used up before the next feed.
Prescription drugs and over the counter medici
nes
should be checked with your GP or pharmacist
before you take them. Marijuana and other mood
altering drugs should not be used by breastfee
ding
mothers as they pass into the breastmilk,
affecting the baby.
Smoking can affect milk supply and may cause
stomach upsets in the infant. Mothers are advi
sed not
to smoke while breastfeeding.
Taking care
of yourself helps
you take care
of your baby
Returning to work
hink about breastfeeding when you are planning
your work and childcare arrangements. Check if
your workplace has a breastfeeding friendly policy.
You may be able to take short breaks from work
to express. Depending on
the age of your child,
you can plan breastfeeds
before and after work, and
more often on weekends.
A combination of breastfeeding, expressed breastmilk
and infant formula (if necessary) will allow you to
continue to breastfeed your baby. Even if you need to
reduce the number of breastfeeds you give your baby
each day, it is still beneficial.
Plan your
work and
childcare
arrangements
T
Every mother should find out how to express
breastmilk - ask your midwife, lactation
consultant, child health nurse, or contact the
Australian Breastfeeding Association. You may
have a friend or family member who can
advise you.
Breastmilk should be immediately stored in
clean containers in the refrigerator (for 3 to 5
days) or freezer. Date the container at the
time of expressing. Use the oldest milk first.
Always transport expressed breastmilk in an
insulated container (eg. Esky) with a freezer
brick. Once thawed, do not refreeze, and
discard after 24 hours.
Expressing breastmilk
*Calls made from a mobile may be charged at a timed rate.
Acknowledgments: The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating has been reproduced with kind
permission of the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.
For further support
contact…
local Family doctor
local Community Child health nurse
see inside your baby's purple 'All About Me'
book, in the phone directory under 'Child health
Centres' or www.health.wa.gov.au
local lactation Consultant
lactation consultant services
www.lactation.org.au or Yellow Pages
Australian Breastfeeding Association helpline
Telephone 1800 686 2 686
www.breastfeeding.asn.au
The Breastfeeding Centre of WA
Telephone (08) 9340 1844
ngala helpline
8.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m. 7 days a week
Telephone (08) 9368 9368
Outside metro area - Freecall 1800 111 546*
www.ngala.com.au