Pregnancy and breastfeeding are crucial nutritional stages in a woman's life. Failure to meet your body's needs may increase your chances of developing chronic disease later in life, and may leave you feeling unnecessarily fatigued. Both pregnant...
Healthy eating does not end after a pregnancy. Lactating women must also follow a healthy eating plan to ensure they can produce enough milk to provide their growing newborn with the nutrients he needs to survive. While there are generally fewer...
Many new mothers mistakenly think that breastfeeding alone will prevent them from becoming pregnant again. While breastfeeding can help prevent another pregnancy, breastfeeding is not a fool-proof way to prevent pregnancy. Mothers who are...
Under the right conditions, breastfeeding can be an effective form of birth control. But fertility returns for different women at different times, and it is possible to get pregnant while breastfeeding. It is even possible to conceive with your...
Although breastfeeding can be a protection against pregnancy, many women become pregnant while they are still nursing. However, detecting pregnancy in breastfeeding women is often tricky because the act of breastfeeding can mask common signs of...
Many women use breastfeeding as a method of natural contraception until they wean their babies. This method can be successful, but in some cases regular menstruation can begin earlier than expected. A woman's menstrual cycle may return if she...
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, carefully consider everything you eat and drink due to potential side effects for the baby, including any herbs you may be taking. Herbs have acted as natural remedies for a variety of ailments for centuries,...
Although the chance of becoming pregnant while breastfeeding is low, it can happen. In fact, you can become pregnant within days of giving birth if you have unprotected sexual intercourse. There are women who have even found out they are expecting...
Breastfeeding is a natural form of birth control, as long as the baby is nursed exclusively and frequently. However, it is possible to become pregnant while breastfeeding, especially if your baby isn't eating frequently throughout the night or if...
Breastfeeding your baby gives him the best nutritional start to life. While you may be eager to begin losing weight soon after the delivery of your baby, it is important to be mindful of your milk supply. Losing weight very quickly can cause...
While fish oils such as cod liver oil have been associated with many health benefits, you may be concerned about taking supplements during your pregnancy. While, as with any dietary supplement, side effects are associated with cod liver oil, the...
Breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed a baby, according to La Leche League International. Though motherhood brings many proud and joyous moments, many women struggle to lose the weight that they gained during their pregnancies. If you're...
Breastfeeding is healthy for both mom and baby, but when there's a new bun in the oven, you may wonder whether or not it is still safe for you to continue nursing your baby. For most women, it's perfectly safe to continue breastfeeding during part...
The World Health Organization recommends that women breastfeed their children for at least two years. Some women become pregnant again and choose to continue to breastfeed during their pregnancy and beyond. While women who have healthy pregnancies...
By the time you're two months postpartum, your doctor has likely cleared you for exercise, whether you had a vaginal delivery or a c-section. While you're ready to drop the rest of your baby weight, perhaps you're not sure how. A balanced diet and...
Breastfeeding is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but you do need to pay attention to your diet and signs from your body to keep yourself and your unborn child healthy. Breast and nipple sensitivity affect some pregnant women, making...
Unfortunately, the hormonal changes that cause swollen breasts during pregnancy affect all women, whether you are breastfeeding or not. These changes are most pronounced at the beginning of your pregnancy, although breasts may be swollen or sore...
Manufacturers are forever trying to convince women of the things they need. When it comes to pregnancy and breastfeeding nutrition, this is no different. For most women, a healthy diet along with a prenatal vitamin provides all the nutrition they...
Approximately two-thirds of American adults are classified as overweight. About half of the overweight people are classified as obese, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. With the high prices of diet...
Magnesium is a mineral essential to health that is found inside bones and the cells of organs and tissues. The mineral is necessary for more than 300 bodily reactions; it works to maintain nerve and muscle function, regulate heart rhythm, blood...
At some point as you age, your breasts will answer the call of gravity as your ligaments stretch and your skin loses elasticity. If you're a smoker or if you lose or gain large amounts of weight in a short period of time, you may find your breasts...
Breastfeeding mothers generally need an additional 500 calories in their diet per baby to maintain healthy lactation. These calories can come from a variety of high quality nutritious foods.
Protein supplements have become increasingly popular recently, particularly in light of the high-protein diet craze. Athletes have used protein powders, shakes, and bars for years to supplement their diets with extra protein for maximum muscle...
Because of female roles like pregnancy and breastfeeding, women tend to store more fat on their bodies to ensure adequate energy for these tasks. This can make it more challenging for you to get a lean, toned body. Additionally, a fear of bulking...
Most infants double their birth weight in the first four to six months. Eating enough calories during breastfeeding ensures adequate fat content in your milk so that your baby grows properly. In addition, adequate nourishment will help you to...
If you're pregnant, or you're breastfeeding, what you eat plays a role in your infant's health and development, according to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Although a mother's body provides nutrients for her child both before birth...
While breastfeeding is sometimes touted as nature's birth control, it's not really a reliable way to prevent pregnancy. Fluctuating hormones while you breastfeed can make family planning confusing and difficult to predict. If you have gotten...
Pregnancy and breastfeeding are times in your life where your nutritional needs change. While you are not actually eating for two, you are providing nutrients to your infant child and without the extra intake of those nutrients, you will either...
For most pregnant teens, a healthy diet includes more --- but not too many more --- calories. Ask your doctor or other health worker what she recommends for you and your baby.
