Taking care of a newborn baby is a full-time job (sometimes maybe even more than that)! With all the attention you baby needs, it’s hard to make sure you are taking the time you need to get the right nutrients. Here are some quick tips on how to fit taking care of you into your already packed schedule!
- Take a moment to eat every time your baby eats.
- Grocery pick-up and delivery will help you make healthier choices and save you time.
- Leave water bottles around the house so you can stay hydrated.
- Order or make extra food in advance so you’re prepared with a meal if you’re too busy to cook.
Eat When Your Baby Eats
If you have a newborn, they are eating every 2 to 4 hours. Use their feeding time as an opportunity to grab a quick snack. You can make it even easier on yourself by storing healthy snacks in convenient places like near your nursing chair and in the diaper bag.
If you haven’t mastered one-armed feeding yet, make it a habit to grab a piece of fruit or a handful of nuts while you are preparing to feed your baby.
Save Time with Grocery Pick Up or Delivery
Grocery shopping takes a lot of time and energy, especially if you have a baby. That’s why we love the new grocery pick up and delivery services. Some grocery stores even provide this service for free.
Ordering groceries online is also a really great way to ensure you are purchasing healthy foods. You won’t get distracted by walking past a chip aisle or feel the pull of the ice cream cartons. Ordering your groceries online reduces impulse buys that take up calories without providing you the nutrients you need to be eating after birth.
Keep a Reusable Water Bottle in Every Room of the House
Or at least – the rooms you’re in for most of the day. When you have a water bottle in every room, you won’t have to worry about carrying one from room to room. You will be confident that wherever you are in the house, you have some water to drink.
If you don’t get enough water, you are at risk for dehydration which leads to postpartum fatigue. Make sure you are getting enough liquids!
Meal Prep and Order Extras
If you’re taking the time to cook a meal for yourself right now, double or triple the recipe so you have leftovers ready and waiting next time you’re hungry. This is a great way to make sure you have nutritious food on hand when you need it next.
The same principle can apply if you’re ordering food or eating out. If you know you have a busy day coming up, order a little something extra from the restaurant. You can heat this up the next time you need a meal, instead of trying to piece together your nutrients throughout the afternoon.
—
Making sure you are getting enough nutrients as a new mom can seem overwhelming, but with a little thinking and preparation, you will be able to take the stress out of eating well. If you have more questions about nutrition as a new mom, we invite you to join us for our Growing Together class series. This class covers a wide variety of topics including mommy and baby nutrition.
