The Importance of Nutrition for Breastfeeding Mothers: A Comprehensive Guide

Introduction to Nutrition for Breastfeeding Mothers

Host: Namaskar, Ma'am.

Swati Nayar: Namaskar.

Host: A very warm welcome to you from the Vagad Radio family.

Swati Nayar: Thank you.

Host: Ma'am, as you are joining our program 'Sacha Bachpan' today, we would first like to know your introduction through the program.

Swati Nayar: My name is Swati Nayar, and I work on various issues related to women, in which nutrition is a key issue.

Host: Yes, Ma'am. So Ma'am, as you mentioned that you are working on the nutrition of women, and as we know, the 'Poshan Pakhwada' (Nutrition Fortnight) is also ongoing, in which we see that the focus has also been placed on the nutrition of breastfeeding mothers. So, through today's program, our conversation with you will be on this very topic. So first of all, Ma'am, through the program, we would like to know from you why it is necessary to provide better nutrition to breastfeeding mothers.

Why Nutrition is Crucial for Breastfeeding Mothers

Swati Nayar: Absolutely, Kashish ji. You have asked a very beneficial question. If we talk about nutrition, nutrition is not just for breastfeeding mothers but is a very integral part of our lives. If we talk about a breastfeeding mother who is feeding her child, her nutrition affects not only her but also her newborn baby a lot. Because when a mother feeds her little child, a lot of energy and nutrients are expended. If the mother does not take adequate food and a balanced diet, it has a very bad effect on her health, like fatigue, weakness, and anemia-like diseases can occur in them. Proper nutrition strengthens the mother's immunity, which helps her stay away from diseases. At the same time, she can pass on the same nutrition to her newborn baby. Yes, Ma'am. If she takes good nutrition on time, her bones, muscles, etc., remain strong, and the same nutrients reach the newborn baby through her milk.

Host: Absolutely, Ma'am, you said it right. So, in this way, we can say that it is very important to provide nutrition to breastfeeding mothers because it is necessary not only for them but also for their babies. Now here, Ma'am, I would like to know from you, what are the traditional nutritional foods that are very beneficial for the breastfeeding mothers we are talking about, regarding their nutrition?

Traditional and Beneficial Foods for Lactating Mothers

Swati Nayar: Absolutely, Kashish ji. If we talk about our region, our region has been known from the very beginning for different dishes, different wild vegetables, wild fruits, and grains. In our region, there are many such fruits that we get from the jungle, and they are rich in various vitamins, proteins, etc. Along with this, like if we talk about our grains, there is bajra, maize, green vegetables, and dishes made from milk. All these affect not only the mother but also the child through the milk they receive from the mother. Yes, absolutely Ma'am, you are right. Along with this, if we talk about food items, there are laddoos made of gond, laddoos made from fenugreek seeds, water of fennel, carom seeds, and cumin, or any other kind of decoction. Turmeric milk, which protects from infection, strengthens bones, and is also very beneficial for the swelling that occurs in the body. Laddoos made of sesame seeds, which are full of iron, calcium, and protein. This also plays a very important and significant role in strengthening the bones. Along with laddoos of coconut and dry fruits, we can also give them laddoos, which will give energy to their body and at the same time, increase the fat content in the milk, which is also beneficial for the baby. Along with this, green leafy vegetables like spinach, fenugreek, moringa leaves, all these things not only remove the deficiency of blood in the mother but also provide iron and vitamins to the child. Along with this, if we talk about grains, in our region, grains like ragi, mal, kuri, kodra are found, which are full of calcium. Along with this, if we talk about pulses, then black gram, moong, urad, sesame, flaxseed, all these are full of protein and iron. This gives energy to the mother and is also very helpful in keeping the child healthy. Green vegetables, as I told you, can include moringa, kachri, siyal, papdi, which are a treasure of Vitamin A and C. This is very beneficial for both the child and the mother. If we talk about wild fruits in our region, then timru, custard apple, gooseberry, jamun, ber, mahua, all these increase the disease-fighting capacity in the mother. Their taste is wonderful, but they are also very helpful for health. If we talk about milk, many milch animals are found in our region like cows, goats. We can also use their milk in this, which helps in making the mother's milk thick and nutritious. The rest of the local dishes, as we talked about various types of laddoos, all these are very helpful in improving the mother's health.

The Role of Family and Community

Host: Yes, absolutely, Ma'am, you said it right. So, as we have learned about some traditional nutritional foods for breastfeeding mothers through you. Now, I would like to know from you what is the role of the family in their nutrition.

Swati Nayar: Yes, Kashish ji, you have asked a very good question. Because the family's role is not just for breastfeeding mothers, but in the journey she goes through from when she becomes pregnant, the family and her life partner have a very important role, and it has always been there. So, if we talk about this role, the most useful thing is that they should be given emotional support. Because this is a time when women are quite troubled physically and mentally. So, if they are given emotional support, it has a very good effect on the woman's health as well. Along with this, what the mother is eating, what she feels like eating, knowing that and fulfilling her needs, in this also, her family plays a very important role. Like the husband, the mother-in-law. Because this is a time when a woman needs the support of her mother-in-law and husband a lot. At the same time, the elders of the house, like the mother-in-law, father-in-law, mother, the old remedies that we talked about earlier, they can make some nutritious food related to them. Give them food from time to time because they can't eat all at once, they should eat a little at a time, as they feel hungry, they should eat accordingly. They should be given food according to their taste. So, this can be very useful for a mother. At the same time, the household chores, because this is a period when women are physically very troubled. So, during this time, if the husband and mother-in-law help with the household chores, then this will also be very helpful for them. Along with this, as gond laddoos, etc., are made, if they are made for them from time to time, then the deficiency of nutrients in their body, they will come out of it, and at the same time, their physical development, as it should be for them, their newborn baby's development will also happen accordingly.

Host: Yes, Ma'am, you are absolutely right. So this was about the role of the family. But many times we see that our community also has an important role in this. So now I would like to know from you what is the role of the community during this period for breastfeeding mothers.

Swati Nayar: Absolutely, Kashish ji. If we talk about the community, after the family, the community has also played a significant role in this. Because when women go into the community along with their family, the love and affection they need, they definitely get it from the community. So, if we talk about breastfeeding mothers, what is necessary is that the ASHA workers or the Anganwadi workers and ANMs, whatever services are connected to those mothers, they should be given information from time to time. Along with the information, they should also be provided with those services. Regarding breastfeeding, regarding cleanliness, regarding vaccination, whatever things should be told to them, they should be told on time. At the same time, the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, which is given to them from the Anganwadi sector, should be given on time. At the same time, nutritious food, supplements, and various types of health services that are given to mothers should be provided on time. This can be a very necessary remedy that we can give to mothers. Along with this, some nutrition fortnights are held, as we now know that the nutrition fortnight is going on, health camps, all these should be organized in the villages and localities from time to time. The weight and hemoglobin of mothers and children should be checked on time. If we keep all these things in mind, then the community also has a significant role or an important role that can be played for breastfeeding mothers.

Host: Yes, absolutely, Ma'am, you said it right. So, as our conversation with you through the program is going very well, now here, Ma'am, I would like to know from you what suggestions you would like to give to our breastfeeding mothers.

Advice and Final Message for Mothers

Swati Nayar: Absolutely, Kashish ji. First of all, my suggestion would be that mothers should not forget themselves. Connect with yourself, connect with your newborn baby, take care of the child, stay healthy. Eat on time, eat nutritious food because nowadays we see that the pressure of outside food is increasing on people, but we should eat nutritious food, eat on time, eat traditional food. Dal, green vegetables, milk, dry fruits, fruits, and simple home-cooked food. Eat five to six times a day, eat a little at a time because you should eat according to your body's needs so that you can get energy from time to time. Along with this, do not forget to drink water, drink water from time to time. And try to drink a glass of water after every feed. Because for the production of milk, the body needs to stay hydrated. And the third most important thing is not to be in stress. The more positively you think, the better milk will be produced in you, and the same milk will be useful for the newborn baby. Along with this, to reduce stress, you can listen to music, go for a walk, do things that bring peace to your heart so that you stay happy. And the same happiness can be passed on to the child through you. Get enough sleep. Because if your sleep is complete, then there will be no fatigue, irritability. At the same time, the speed of milk production will also increase. Try to sleep when the baby is sleeping. And along with that, take the help of the family in child-related work and household chores. Don't think that you have to do all the work, definitely take the help of the family, take the help of your husband, so that your body can get the necessary rest. Along with this, home remedies like fenugreek, fennel, cumin water can be consumed. So that your balance is maintained. As much as possible, stay away from hot and fried things, eat them less. Along with this, if you feel that there is any problem in your body or there is a deficiency in milk production, then all the iron, calcium, vitamins, and traditional things related to them, green vegetables, fruits, consume them. And at the same time, be confident. If you face any kind of problem, talk to the family. The more you share with the family, the more help you will get in that thing.

Host: Yes, Ma'am, you are absolutely right. So, as we had a lot of conversation with you through the program today. Now, in the end, what message would you like to give to our breastfeeding mothers?

Swati Nayar: Absolutely, Kashish ji. I would like to say to breastfeeding mothers that you are not just giving milk to the child, you are giving them love, security, and a new life. You have to understand that your smile, your nutrition is the first world for your children. Along with this, take care of your body. Taking care of your body is not selfishness for you because when you are healthy, your newborn baby will also be healthy. At the same time, eat well, think well, and believe in yourself.

Host: Yes, Ma'am. So, we would like to thank you very much for joining our program today and giving such good information to our listeners. And you gave your precious and valuable time to our friends. Thank you, Ma'am.

Swati Nayar: Thank you, Kashish ji.