Gut Health While Breastfeeding
Hi everyone, I’m back from maternity leave. In honor of the little babe, today I’m talking about breastfeeding and the importance of gut health!
After growing a baby in your body for nine months, you now get to keep that baby alive with your boobs for another 12 months (give or take). Congratulations to you. Breastmilk is a remarkable fluid that provides infants with essential nutrients and plays a significant role in building their immune system. We are our baby’s immune fighters at this stage. Our milk contains antibodies, white blood cells, and other immune-boosting components that help protect babies against infections and illnesses. The first milk produced after childbirth, known as colostrum, is particularly rich in immunoglobulins and helps establish a baby's immunity in the early days of life. Breastfeeding has been shown to reduce the risk of various infections, allergies, and chronic diseases in infants, showcasing the invaluable role of breastmilk in providing crucial immune protection during the critical stages of development. During breastfeeding, maintaining a healthy gut is crucial for both the mother and the baby. The mother's gut health can impact the composition of breast milk, influencing the baby's immune system development and overall health.
As we know, you are what you eat. Now, your breastmilk is made of what you eat too. We want that liquid gold to be as healthy and nutritious as possibly for our little ones. Our gut houses over 70% of our immune system. Caring for your gut is caring for your immune system. Caring for your immune system is caring for your baby’s immune system during this vulnerable stage of their life. Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut can support a diverse microbiome, which can improve the quality of breastmilk and may reduce the risk of certain health issues in both mommy and baby. It’s so easy to resort to unhealthy, quick processed food after having a baby. You’re tired, not sleeping, and making healthy food can seem like a lot of effort. But right now you’re still eating for two. Make your gut health a priority in order to start your baby off on the right track, fight infections and decrease their risk of antibiotic use. It's important for breastfeeding mothers to consult with healthcare providers before making any significant changes to their diet or incorporating supplements to ensure they are supporting their gut health effectively.