Proper nutrition is vital for everyone, and it is crucial for new mothers who recover from pregnancy, delivery, and labor. For a new mother with a six-month baby, it is essential to eat a proper diet and not to think of losing weight so that your and six-month-old baby’s health is in good condition. You must ensure to keep appropriate health on track with a proper diet plan. Once your initial six months are over, then, you can start thinking of losing weight, but till then concentrate on having adequate food and at the appropriate time. Make sure that you prepare some snacks in handy for you to eat when you feel hungry.
Food items, you must eat if you are a six-month-old baby having
You must stay away from calorie counting and fad diet for your six-months-old. You must focus on getting enough good food and restricting yourself to eat junk food. You must ensure that you get a sufficient amount of calories, but most of the calories must come from wholesome foods.
• Finger millets
Finger millets are an excellent source of calcium and iron. It aids you to renew the strength that you have lost during delivery. If you are allergic to dairy items, then eating finger millets is the best option available to you. You can prepare idli, dosa, ragi malt, and halwa from it
• Almonds
Another ideal food item to include in your list of post-pregnancy diet is almonds. Almonds are rich in fiber, carbohydrates, manganese, zinc, potassium, vitamins B12, copper and calcium found in the nuts. It helps you to recover and strengthen you from delivery. You can also add almonds to milk or any other food items you prepare and eat. They are a great option as a munching snack. You can keep some almonds overnight in water. Peel its skin and eat it every day.
• Fenugreek seeds
The fenugreek seeds have a rich content of vitamins, iron, calcium, and minerals. They are well-known to relieve the joint as well as back pains. Though there is little evidence found in its support. You can add fenugreek seeds in your daily dishes that you prepare, or you can powder or dry fry them. You can also mix them in your food such as vegetables, meats, roti, and rice. Also, you can take fenugreek seeks in tea which is the most favorite drink among breastfeeding mothers. You can also keep some fenugreek seeds in water overnight. You can eat the seeds soaked overnight and drink that water for good health of yourself and your six-month-old baby.
• Whole wheat bread:
Folic acid is essential for fetal development. whole wheat bread also acts as an essential nutrient in breast milk. Pasta and fortified whole grain is an excellent option to increase the daily dose of fiber and iron.
• Whole-grain cereal
If you are facing a problem of sleepless nights, then having a whole grain cereal is the best breakfast option for the next morning. The cold cereals include minerals and vitamins that help to meet the everyday needs of your body.
Oats is also a good option available to you as it provides carbs, iron, calcium and protein content in your body. They are rich in fiber that aids to relieve constipation. You can make a simple recipe of oatmeal with nuts, milk, and fruits. Other options also include oats upma or oats khichdi.
• Sesame seeds
Sesame seeds contain abundant copper, calcium, iron, phosphorus and copper content which makes them an excellent source for nursing mothers. It helps to replenish the body system with essential minerals. It regulates bowel movements. Sesame seeds can be added to curries, chutneys, and sweets.
The sesame seeds are considered a superfood that you must include in your diet plan. You must complete your health requirements as well as your six-month-old babies before adding any food to your diet plan.
• Pulses
Dals or pulses are the primary sources of a well-balanced vegetarian diet. Pulses or dals are an excellent source of minerals, vitamins, protein, and fiber. One can have red and green grams by seasoning them or boiling them, so they are useful in digestion and also tasty while eating. They also help to prevent fat that accumulates in the body.
Some healthy and lifestyle changing tips for you if you are having a six-month-old baby
Most of the food items are safe for new nursing mothers if the six-month-old baby. But, you must remember that whatever you are going to eat is going to pass to your six-month-old baby with breast milk. Here is a list of some significant no-no foods that you must not dine while planning your diet plan.
Spicy food
Spicy food is something that will quickly pass to your six-month-old baby. It will affect their intestines and the flow of blood. The digestive tract of your six-month-old and the spicy food can make them feel irritated and fussy. So, you must ensure that you avoid spicy food altogether.
Oily food
Oil food items pile up in your body, and it will make it difficult for you to get your original shape. You must not eat fatty foods, sweets or butter to avoid it. You can eat healthy fatty foods like flax seeds that contain omega-three fatty acids, walnuts, vegetable seeds that contain omega-6 fatty acids, vegetable oils, canola oils, olive, and peanuts.
Healthy and lifestyle changing tips for you if you are having a six-month-old baby
• You must limit fat, spice intake and restrict sugar. High sugar and fatty food items lead to weight gain. Hence, you must consume them in moderate levels. You should stay away from aerated beverages and alcohol.
• Stick to fresh and home-cooked food. The quality of food that you will eat will have a direct impact on your six-month-old baby when you do nursing. So, make sure that you eat contaminated, free and safe food. You must pick organic food items, eat local food and also seasonal ones.
| Day | Breakfast | lunch | Dinner |
| Day 1 | Avocado slices with nuts | Chicken curry with roti | Beetroot and carrot rice with soup |
| Day 2 | Spinach smoothy with dry fruits | Kale curry with roti and rice | Mushroom soup with fried rice |
| Day 3 | Slices of different fruits | Mix dal with roti and rice | Mix vegetable curry, roti, and rice |
| Day 4 | Almond smoothy | Spinach curry with rice and roti | Fish curry with roti and rice |
| Day 5 | Poha with milk | Curd and fried rice | Vegetable salad and mushroom curry with roti |
| Day 6 | Oats upma with milk | Vegetable curry with roti and rice | Fruit salad and oats khichdi |
| Day 7 | Scrambled eggs with a toast of whole wheat grain bread | Egg curry with roti and rice | Vegetable pulao and salad |