Breastfeeding moms should stay hydrated to guarantee the required amount of milk for a baby. Experts recommend drinking from 8 to 16 cups of water daily. First, it is hard to drink that much, so women should develop a habit. Most kids eat no less than 4 times a day, which means a woman should drink one cup of water before and after each meal.
Nevertheless, everything depends on a woman. Some don’t need as much water because of their organism peculiarities, especially when they additionally use European formula like those on this source link. So, how much to drink?
Listen to Your Needs
Most women drink the usual amount of water when breastfeeding, but a baby always gets the desired portion of food. That’s why doctors don’t connect drinking habits and proper breastfeeding quality. Nevertheless, a woman’s organism can suffer severe dehydration and other health problems if she doesn’t drink enough liquid.
The main component of breast milk is water (80-90%, according to different sources), but it doesn’t mean a woman shares her liquid with a baby. Milk comes from her mammary gland that gets ready for lactation under the influence of hormones during pregnancy. So, water drinking is essential, but it is not connected to milk production.
Health Problems Connected with Dehydration
On the one hand, specialists recommend counting the drunk number of glasses daily to promise complete body hydration. On the other hand, following schedules irritates you, so drinking water apps can become your rescue. Such applications remind us about water drinking time, so one doesn’t forget that. Another option is to have a bottle of water at your fingertips. If you see it all the time, you’ll subconsciously want to sip.
What problems can a woman get when her organism becomes dehydrated? The most common are:
- problematic defecation
- vertigo
- energy loss
- dry lips and skin
- headache
- sickness
- muscle pains
- moods ups and downs
Our organism consists of 80% of water. That’s why dehydration is especially dangerous in hot seasons. Our body cools down by sweating, so a person should drink enough to restore it.
How to Know How Much Fluid You Need
Thirst is the first symptom of liquid insufficiency. When a mom breastfeeds, her cravings for water become more frequent. It is the result of oxytocin release that signals the body about water deficit. Due to that, you start drinking more water and avoid dehydration.
Another sign of dehydration is urine color. A mother’s urine must be white or pale yellow. If it is dark yellow, she will need to drink more.
Most experts say that mothers should drink only water. No doubt, it’s the healthiest drink because it has no sugar, salt, and flavors. Chinese doctors say warm water is better for a mom’s organism because it stimulates blood circulation that results in the enlargement of milk count in mammary glands. Adding fruit, lemon juice, or mint leaves can enhance the water taste.
However, fluid is not always water. Juicy fruit should be counted as well. For example, watermelon, cow’s or vegan milk, juices, and smoothies also fit, though water should be the main hydration tool.
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