Dehydration, for anyone, is dangerous as it can make you extra susceptible to heat exhaustion and can foster the development of painful kidney stones. If you aren’t careful, dehydration can happen quite quickly since the female body needs around 11 and a half cups of water each day. When pregnant, medical professionals advise that women drink up to 12 cups of water to keep their bodies healthy and running well during pregnancy. As a nursing mother, being aware of your water intake is crucial if you want to ensure a healthy and consistent amount of breastmilk for your child. Because breastmilk is nearly 90% water, it’s important to set your body up for success so it can continue to deliver great results. One of the easiest ways to do this is by consuming a Breastfeeding drink to help get you hydrated and keep your supply up to feed your little loved one (or donate to preemies in need of donor milk.)
Before getting into why a breastfeeding drink could be beneficial to getting your milk production up, it’s important to understand the health benefits that it can bring to you and your baby. According to Dr. Ruth Petersen, director of CDC’s Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, “Breastfeeding provides unmatched health benefits for babies and mothers. It is the clinical gold standard for infant feeding and nutrition, with breast milk uniquely tailored to meet the health needs of a growing baby. We must do more to create supportive and safe environments for mothers who choose to breastfeed.”
Did you know that babies who are breastfed during infancy benefit from a reduced risk of asthma, obesity, type 1 diabetes, severe lower respiratory disease, ear infections, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), gastrointestinal infections, and, for preterm infants, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Additionally, mothers who breastfeed are at a lower risk for high blood pressure, type 2 diabets, ovarian cancer and breast cancer. If you need more food for thought, the CDC reports that low rates of breastfeeding add more than $3 billion a year to medical costs for the mother and child in the United States. Knowing this, it should be clear that not only is breastfeeding a lifestyle, but it’s also a major investment in the health of your family.
Now that you understand the importance of breastfeeding, it’s time to go over the basics regarding the best kind of breastfeeding drink to consume for hydration. Ideally, you would want to purchase and consume a hydration drink that is free from added sugars, has a high percentage of fruit juice (at least 30 percent), about nine carbs per serving, low calories (about 50 cals), and packaged in a paper based container, not plastic. If you’re thinking, “well with all these specifications, wouldn’t it just be easier to stick with consuming more water?” While water is a great option for hydration, sometimes it isn’t enough for nursing mothers. In this scenario, a breastfeeding drink would work best for mothers who need to restore both bodily hydration and the nutrients and energy being lost while creating and supplying breast milk for their baby.
If you wander down the beverage aisle at the grocery store, you will find a plethora of electrolyte drinks that claim to be the best way to beat dehydration. Although these electrolyte beverages may quench your thirst, they can also contain chemicals and stimulants that are potentially hazardous to the health of a nursing baby, like high levels of caffeine and other substances, or far too much sugar to be part of a healthy, balanced diet for the mother. To be sure you’re consuming the best hydration drink for you and your baby, try to find a coconut-water based formulation. This can be made at home, but it takes a ton of time and what new mom has the spare time to whip up a freshly made coconut water and fruit juice beverage? This is why premade options are the best route. Not only are the premade drinks conveniently packaged for moms on the go, they’re also available for delivery, and come in a variety of flavors – all designed to help restore the body’s water balance.
To conclude, here’s a low down of why hydration, breastfeeding and the right breastfeeding hydration drink is crucial. Hydration, for anyone, should always be top of mind as the human body functions its best when it is properly hydrated. This is especially true for new mothers who want themselves and their child to reap the rewards of a healthy milk supply. Mothers should always think twice when buying a hydration drink and ensure that it contains the right ingredients, and none of the hazardous chemicals and stimulants that are commonly found in hydration drinks. Best of luck on your journey to a healthy breastmilk supply! We’re rooting for you.
