It must be understood that breast milk contains enough amounts of nutrients on its own, which I enough for the survival and sustenance of the infant – immaterial of the diet that the mothers undertake. But, to ensure that the nutrients are given to the infant in proper doses and ratios, mothers will have to ensure that they are on a proper diet. This not only ensures good health of the infants, it can also help in the growth of the infant. As far as the diet is concerned, mothers will have to follow the consultant prescribed regimen, for the maintenance of their own health.
New mothers are so conscious about their weight that they start on a weight reducing diet as soon as they are out of the maternity ward. This is not advisable because, weight reduction diet can mean that the mothers are not getting some of the nutrients into their bodies, which in turn is deprived to the infant. Drastic weight reduction can also produce toxins in the mothers’ bodies which get into the infants through the breast milk. These toxins may not be life threatening to the infants but they definitely affect the health and growth of the infants. It must be understood that the infants need to grow, while the mothers want to lose weight so, weight reduction programs will have to be gradually introduced and will have to be planned as a long term activity.
