The weeks are flying by, so hopefully you're able to think about looking after yourself as well as your little one. This week we look at some handy kitchen tips to make sure you're getting a good meal too.
You and your baby
Week 17 News
It can be tricky to sit down and eat when you have a small demanding new friend to look after. But remember you have to eat too, so make sure you are prioritising eating again and try to set a regular time. We've put together some tips to ensure you're keeping yourself well fed. Read our handy tips on what to eat when you're breastfeeding.
Looking after your little one can evoke a whole range of emotions. But if you're feeling continually irritable or tearful then you may have 'baby blues', or post-natal depression. Talking to someone can help, so ask your GP or health visitor for advice.
Need to know
If you've decided to start combination feeding but are having trouble with the bottle side of things, try using expressed milk in the bottle first. Baby is more used to the taste and will adapt faster to the teat.
While it's ok to drink small amounts of caffeine after pregnancy, doing so could mean your baby struggles to settle at night if you're breastfeeding. Try to keep caffeine to a minimum, or cut out completely if possible.
Tip:
Ring ahead
It's one more thing to think about, but if you're getting ready to visit a café or restaurant with your little one, checking they have baby changing facilities will save you a world of grief.
Get some expert help
Remember our Careline team is always on hand to help. You can talk to our expert mums about baby blues or anything else that's on your mind. Get in touch 24/7 using our live chat, by phone or by email.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: The best way to feed a baby is to breastfeed, as breast milk provides the ideal balanced diet and protection against illness for your baby and also many non-nutritional benefits for both baby and mother. We recommend that you speak to your healthcare professional when deciding on your choice of feeding your baby. Professional guidance should also be sought on the preparation for and maintenance of breastfeeding. If you do choose to breastfeed, it's important to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Infant formula is intended to replace breast milk when mothers choose not to breastfeed or if for some reason they are unable to do so. A decision not to breastfeed, or to introduce partial bottle-feeding, will reduce the supply of breast milk. If for any reason you choose not to breastfeed, do remember that such a decision can be difficult to reverse. Using infant formula also has social and financial implications which must be considered. Infant formula should always be prepared, used and stored as instructed on the label, in order to avoid risks to a baby's health.
