Moms that have just given birth to their first child — or even experienced moms — might be surprised to know they need to consume more calories, eat more protein, and stay well hydrated to help them succeed at breastfeeding and provide their baby with enough nourishment to thrive.
Intermountain Health is now providing telehealth services where patients are able to consult with a dietitian virtually. This is particularly beneficial for postpartum moms who plan to breastfeed and are seeking to gain more education towards keeping their milk supply as nutrition plays a large role in increasing and maintaining their supply.
The registered dietitians through the Connect Care Primary Care Clinic are all highly specialized in that they are able to provide the most comprehensive and evidenced-based care with a focus on overall health and wellness. This team includes four highly experienced, registered dietitians.
In the first few weeks postpartum, moms are still recovering from childbirth and likely are not getting enough uninterrupted sleep. Studies show it’s especially important for breastfeeding moms to take care of themselves by staying well hydrated and eating more protein and enough calories while their bodies are working to produce enough milk for their baby.
Some moms aren’t aware of or in a place where they can prioritize their nutrition. These services are beneficial for moms who want to better manage their nutrition as their bodies readjust to no longer carrying a baby.
The recommended calories per day for breastfeeding moms is about 300- 400 calories more than for all women. That’s roughly the equivalent of a healthy snack.
These healthy snacks should include a variety of protein, carbs, and fat. A breastfeeding mom is recommended to eat a varied diet that contains foods packed with nutrients and avoid eating ‘empty’ calories such as fresh vegetables and fruits in a variety of colors.
“Breastfeeding moms also have higher fluid needs than non-breastfeeding women and should also aim to drink about 10 cups of water per day to provide good hydration and support milk production. It is also recommended to avoid alcohol while breastfeeding as alcohol may decrease milk supply and may transfer to the baby,” said Brittni Whitesides, registered dietitian for Intermountain Health.
Breastfeeding moms can eat the following foods to help increase milk production or add supplements to their diet.
- Oats
- Omega 3 fatty-acids rich foods (chia seeds, flax seeds, fish oil, fatty fish like salmon, tuna or eggs high amount of omega 3’s)
As part of the comprehensive services offered by Connect Care Primary Care, medical nutrition therapy (MNT) allows individuals to obtain personalized nutrition interventions for a variety of health issues including diabetes, heart disease, weight management, chronic kidney disease, eating disorders, mental health and more.
Access to a dietitian is quicker through these virtual appointments.
Patients can call into the scheduler to make an appointment and will receive a link that leads to the virtual appointment.
Most medical nutrition therapy sessions are covered by insurance. However, it is advised to call and verify with your insurance provider to obtain the most accurate information regarding coverage.
For scheduling, call a nutrition scheduler at 801-507-3253.
About Intermountain Health
Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 34 hospitals, 400 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, see https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.
