I asked Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen, MS, RD to be a guest blogger because I love her web site, www.RaiseHealthyEaters.com. She provides great information about feeding families (she’s a mom, too!) in a fun and informative way. If you don’t need her now, you will!

Why Mom’s Nutrition May Be the Most Important of All

What happens when you go from pregnant to mom?  All of that time and effort you took to eat and sleep properly, move more and take care of that baby bump is over.  Where do you go from here?

I’ll be straight with you.  As a new mother you’ll be tempted to put yourself last on the list.  But it’s a trap you don’t want to fall into because it backfires on every level.

Here are key reasons why eating a healthy diet should take top priority in your household now, and in the years to come.

1.  Your body is recovering: Your body has been put through the ringer.  Not only have you housed a baby for 9 months, but you likely went through the equivalent of a marathon (or two) to get him or her out.  And whether it was a vaginal delivery or a c-section, your body needs some TLC, rest and good nutrition to heal.

So take up the offer from anyone who’s willing to bring food over, help clean the house, or watch the baby while you sleep.  Don’t worry about your life outside of the baby, it’ll still be there.  Enjoy all the help while you can.

2. Breastfeeding nutrition: New mothers often forget that nutrition after pregnancy is still very important, especially if you breastfeed. Here are some messages I found in chapter 5 of Expect the Best, Your Guide to Healthy Eating Before, During, and After Pregnancy.

-Breastfeeding women have higher nutrition needs so include eggs, chicken, meat, beans, fish, whole grains and plenty of fruits and veggies with meals. See My Pyramid for diet specifics. http://www.mypyramid.gov/mypyramidmoms/breastfeeding_nutrition_needs.html

-Continue to take your prenatal vitamin and when you run out, replace it with a daily multivitamin.

-If you don’t eat fish twice a week, take fish oil supplements with 200 milligrams of DHA per serving (one pill a day is fine).  DHA is a healthy fat that is vital for your baby’s developing brain.

-Keep caffeine intake moderate (200 milligrams a day or less) and drink alcoholic beverages on occasion, not on a regular basis.

- Breast milk is low in vitamin D so supplement your baby with 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D every day, as the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends.  Try Carlson’s vitamin D baby drops.

3. You’ve upped your status to role model: On my blog, www.RaiseHealthyEaters.com, I write about moms as healthy role models for their children.  I believe the incredible love we have for our children can inspire change (including eating a healthier diet!) like nothing else can.  Not only do we want our kids to be healthy, but, when we have children, there’s no better reason to stay healthy and strong for as long as possible.

According to a study published in the American Journal of Preventative Health, married women with at least one child gained more weight over 10 years than women without children.  I completely understand how the weight can creep on. When you mix some extra leftover pounds from pregnancy with less time to work out and eat the way you should, you have a recipe for excess weight.

So when you’re done with recovery, start finding ways to be active, and to eat better. For every fruit and vegetable you feed your baby, eat one yourself.  Get back in touch with your hunger and fullness signals while learning how to preserve those of your children.  Instead of lamenting about having less time to dedicate to your health, be creative about building wellness into your busy day.

4. You’ll be a better mom: Moms who take care of themselves are happier and better able to handle the challenges of motherhood.

Bottom line: Making yourself a priority is not selfish, it’s vital to being the best mom you can be.

Maryann Tomovich Jacobsen is a registered dietitian, mother of two and creator of www.RaiseHealthyEaters.com, a blog dedicated to providing parents with the most credible nutrition advice.