Maybe, but let’s look at why it can happen

While good health is always important, it becomes particularly important to keep a close eye on your health during a pregnancy. Not only are you responsible for the development and growth of another person, but you may face unusual or unforeseen health issues as a result of the demands pregnancy places on your body.

For this reason, it may be disconcerting to see that your cholesterol levels are higher than usual both during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Normal fluctuations

The good news is that these elevated cholesterol levels are entirely normal. Most pregnant women see a decrease in their cholesterol during the first trimester followed by higher levels for the remaining two trimesters.

The higher levels often persist while the mother is nursing.

The cholesterol is produced by your liver, which receives hormonal signals telling it to make more cholesterol than usual because you are pregnant. It does not reflect an unhealthy diet or poor health choices.

Cholesterol is important for babies

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance that plays an important role both during pregnancy and nursing. It contributes to neurological development in the infant and is an important way to transfer energy. Cholesterol is able to hold a great deal of calories and can be completely digested by the infant after he or she is born, making it a great way for the baby to get the nourishment and energy needed at this time.

Additionally, the higher levels of cholesterol do not pose a threat to mothers during this period because the cholesterol is used by the body and transferred to the child rather than remaining in arteries to cause problems.

Are you pregnant and still wondering how soon you should start breastfeeding after the baby is born? Well don’t wonder anymore – because the easiest way to start breastfeeding your baby, is to breastfeed as soon as possible after the little one is born.

For full-term babies whose mothers are able to breastfeed, it is recommended that the first feeding take place within the first hour after the baby enters the world.

Why is sooner so much better?

You know that breastfeeding is good for your baby; it helps build immunity and may even aid brain development. But why is it important to start breastfeeding right away?

After all, you just experienced a very draining and demanding physical event as you went through labor. Will it really matter if you wait a little while before jumping into the next challenge? It just might.

Research on this subject supports the benefits of starting your baby on your breast right away for several reasons:

1.      The colostrum you produce in the first few days after delivery is rich with immunity-building antibodies, making your baby more resilient to infections and illness

2.      Babies who experience skin-to-skin contact with their mothers within the first few hours of life and breastfeed have less trouble latching than infants who spend these hours away from their mom. This means that starting earlier will make breastfeeding easier overall.

When your infant has his or her first feeding, your body begins to produce a greater and more consistent milk supply.

Diet “don’ts” for breastfeeding moms

In a previous post, we discussed good things to make sure that you incorporate in your diet while breastfeeding, including fruits, whole grains, sources of calcium, and lots of water.

However, there are also certain things that you should make sure to keep OUT of your diet while breastfeeding, as they can be dangerous to you and possibly to your infant.

Some of the things to stay away from while you are breastfeeding include:

-         Alcohol. This toxin is dangerous to development while your baby is in the womb and now that he or she is born as well.

-         Mercury. High levels of mercury are found in some types of fish including swordfish and halibut, so be careful with seafood.

-         Caffeine. This stimulant can be found in soft drinks, coffee, and tea, among other products, so read labels carefully before drinking or eating anything you think might contain caffeine.

-         Artificial sweeteners. These chemicals can be found in diet drinks and low-calorie foods and may be harmful to your baby.

-         Nutritional supplements. While it is important to get vitamins and minerals while breastfeeding, it is best to get them from fruits and vegetables than to take a multivitamin or other supplement. These supplements are not monitored by the FDA, so it is difficult to be certain that what you are putting into your body is safe for you and for your baby.

Have a question?  Ask your doctor.

If you have any questions about what to eat while breastfeeding, be sure to ask your doctor about specific issues. Being healthy will help you be the best mom you can be, so take care of yourself during this bonding time with your infant.

Diet “Do’s” while breastfeeding

You know that you had to watch what you ate while you were pregnant – certain foods could make you feel nauseated, while others were off-limits because they contained certain ingredients or chemicals that could hurt the developing baby.

However, now that you have gone through childbirth and are preparing to breastfeed your little one, you may be uncertain about the dietary rules for this new phase with your little one.

As with most things in life, moderation is the key

The good news is that there are not a ton of rules about what you have to eat in order to successfully breastfeed. Your body will produce a consistent quantity of high quality milk as long as you eat a varied, nutritious diet. However, certain things can be beneficial to your health and to your baby, so it is a good idea to incorporate them into your diet.

The following list is a few things you may want to keep in mind while breastfeeding:

-         Whole grains are a great source of fiber which can help with constipation

-         Hydration is essential. Breast milk is up to 87% water, so it is easy to get dehydrated when breastfeeding. Try to avoid carbonated drinks because they contain sodium – stick to plain water instead.

-         Fruit is always a good choice. Fruit contains water and fiber along with vitamins and minerals, helping a new mom get many of the things she needs in a single food source.

-         Don’t forget about milk for yourself as well. Both pregnancy and breastfeeding can take calcium from your bones, so be sure to give your body plenty of extra during this time in your life.

Stay tuned for more

In our next blog post – we’ll discuss foods you should avoid while nursing a baby.

Colic is one of those things that you probably don’t care about – that is until you become a parent and have your new baby suffering from its effects. That’s when you need to learn everything you can – and fast!

Over the last month or so, Luna Lullaby has taken on this subject and is offering parents an in-depth look at the various types of colic, what causes colic, as well as lots of information on how to help soothe your infant and possibly avoid dealing with colic.

We sincerely hope that this information might help you learn something you didn’t already know and maybe give your little one a little comfort!

Advice from parents

Please note that all of our articles and blog posts are thoroughly researched before we post them. However, they should be considered as friendly advice from one parent to another, and never considered to be actual medical advice.

In fact, that’s how Luna Lullaby came to be in the first place. Parents helping other parents learn to soothe their children using the best techniques and products they can!