Nursing Mothers: Protein Shakes

[DirtyBirdShot]

Hey ladies,

It's late and I am sitting here with the wife and she asked are there any safe protein shakes/supplements for nursing mothers? Currently she is in the gym 4 days a week, and curious if anyone has done the Body For Life program while nursing.

I will start nagging her to get a profile set-up and join you ladies.

BTW, she is 30 yrs old and we have 3 boys that are 4yrs, 2yrs, and 5 mos.

Thanks

R-

[Bluelinersgirl]

Hey ladies,

It's late and I am sitting here with the wife and she asked are there any safe protein shakes/supplements for nursing mothers? Currently she is in the gym 4 days a week, and curious if anyone has done the Body For Life program while nursing.

I will start nagging her to get a profile set-up and join you ladies.

BTW, she is 30 yrs old and we have 3 boys that are 4yrs, 2yrs, and 5 mos.

Thanks

R-

I'm still nursing too and I take Optimum Nutrition's 100% natural chocolate Whey. It doesn't have any artificial sweeteners which I would worry about a little with nursing:)

My sister-in-law took protein all through out her last pregnancy and now while she is nursing too.

[Eileen]

Any shake that isn't full of junk sweeteners.

Actually, there are very very few restrictions on what you can eat while breastfeeding. When you consider the huge variety of food that women all over the world have eaten all through history while breastfeeding, you start to feel a bit silly getting hyped up over a cup of coffee or a whey shake.

The breasts do a great job of filtering out anything that might be harmful to the baby before it gets into the milk. That's why nursing mothers can have a glass of wine, or take medications that are out while pregnant.

A great website for stuff like this is www.kellymom.com For specific questions, try www.drjacknewman.com

[ourmamasews]

Also, whey protien can help produce MORE milk, so she should know that going in!

When I had problems with supplying enough milk for my youngest, my lactation consultant advised drinking olvatine (not worried about dieting then, LOL) because the bit of whey in there would help...totally boosted milk supply for me! ;)

[Eileen]

Also, whey protien can help produce MORE milk, so she should know that going in!

When I had problems with supplying enough milk for my youngest, my lactation consultant advised drinking olvatine (not worried about dieting then, LOL) because the bit of whey in there would help...totally boosted milk supply for me! ;)

Very useful to know. Much easier than fenugreek.

[ourmamasews]

Very useful to know. Much easier than fenugreek.

AND you don't smell like maple syrup all the time, LOL

[Plainandtall]

Considering that most baby formulas are made of whey... I don't see where it could be an issue for a mom to eat it - if the mom is well nourished- that baby is getting the best !!!

[SailorSimba]

Considering that most baby formulas are made of whey... I don't see where it could be an issue for a mom to eat it - if the mom is well nourished- that baby is getting the best !!!

A lot of babies are allergic to formula, and a lot of babies are allergic to the dairy their nursing mom consumes. Dairy has been in our diets a relatively short amount of time and infant formula has only been around for about 150 years. That being said, if baby has a problem with dairy proteins, you would know it by now with green stools and tummy troubles.

[Plainandtall]

Great point Simba!!

[boychaser]

Great point Simba!!

thanks you all for your responses. I am the wife of dirtybirdshot and appreciate your advice. My son has reflux (that was diagnosed at 4 weeks) so I immediately got off dairy, strawberries, nuts, alcohol (not that I really drank anyway). I have added in small amounts of almonds and some peanut butter, but not much. I still do not eat strawberries and consume only small amounts of diary and that is recently. The only formula he gets is Soy. Simba, I never thought about the milk proteins being an issue for his reflux. So much to take in. I want to take something to assist in muscle development as I am working out 4 days a week with weights and really pushing myself to regain some of the muscle I lost in pregnancy. I'm not sure if I should wait until I am finished nursing to start a protein powder and continue to get it through leans meats/ leafy greens or give it a whirl and see if baby can handle it. Anyway, thanks for all your suggestions!

[Eileen]

Bear in mind that babies mature at an astonishing rate. Something that causes problems at 4 weeks may be gone by 8 weeks.

Also, remember that some degree of reflux is normal, and doesn't require a total diet overhaul. I had one friend and after every single feed, her baby threw everything back up again. She nearly cried, all that precious breast milk. But somehow, he was getting enough to grow just fine and has been the picture of health.

Go by your baby. If he has reflux, but is generally happy and healthy, with lots of wet nappies and nice poo, then try not to worry too much about it.