Breastfeeding is a natural way to supply your baby with healthy nutrients. Breast milk provides the proper amount of carbohydrates, proteins, fats, digestive enzymes, vitamins, hormones and minerals such as magnesium. If you are breastfeeding, you need to make sure you are consuming enough magnesium in your diet, so that you can provide this essential mineral to your baby.
Magnesium RDA
The recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, is the amount of magnesium that your body needs to function optimally daily. Your magnesium needs increase with pregnancy and decrease slightly after you deliver your baby. If you are breastfeeding, you need to ensure that your diet provides you between 310 and 320 mg per day, depending on your age. If you are under the age of 18, you need 360 mg per day. This amount will be sufficient to provide your baby with an adequate intake of between 30 and 75 mg per day.
Importance
Magnesium is important to your health and your baby's health because it is essential in the proper function of your body's enzymes, which are substances that help your body complete the various chemical reactions that maintain your health. Magnesium is also used in the production of proteins, in the creation of energy, and in the contraction and relaxation of muscles. Without adequate magnesium in your diet, your baby would not have this important mineral.
Sources of Magnesium
Choose foods that are good sources of magnesium to ensure you have an adequate supply for you and your baby. Some good magnesium sources include fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, seeds, whole grains and soy products. Dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, oat bran cereal and brown rice are excellent sources. Magnesium is also found in supplement form, but the ideal way to get your RDA is to eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of healthy foods.
Considerations
In addition to providing nutrients, breastfeeding provides your baby with antibodies that keep your baby healthy. PubMed Health adds that breastfed babies are less likely to develop diabetes, obesity, tooth decay and sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. It is up to you to consume healthy foods to be able to provide your baby with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to grow and develop optimally. Be sure to consult your doctor before you add a magnesium supplement or multivitamin to your diet.
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