Posted by: Trina | July 13, 2010

I was reading through our book, HAPPYBABY: The Guide to the first 24 months and this caught my eye, it's written by Dr. Sears and the article from the surface is geared towards those new moms, but after I started reading it I found many things that can help me become more balanced throughout the day and my youngest is 3 years old!

A Note from Dr. Bob Sears

I am not a fan of artificial sweeteners. There hasn't been nearly enough research to show they are safe for babies. In fact, some research shows they may be harmful. I advise any parent (or older child) to just go ahead and drink regular soda, chew regular gum, and eat regular anything instead of the sugar-free equivalents. Of Course, it's best to limit these things anyway. Beware of the "No Added Sugar" label. This usually means an artificial sweetener was added instead.

Here are some simple ideas that Dr. Sears recommends for those exhausted new moms. Having a new baby is exciting and fun, but relaxing is't not. Undoubtedly, you've learned how brutal sleep deprivation can be. While no food can undo a sleepless night or replace a power nap, the way you eat can help you bear the fatique and geel a littel more alert. Here's how;

*** I have to say these ideas are good not only for those newbie's but for us that have 2 or more children running a muck throughout the day while we are trying to keep it together...just think, those cokes are not so great after all.

* Get some protein: The protein in foods can increase your brain's levels of dopamine and norepinephrine, neurotransmitters that help you be alert. Try to include a source of protein with every meal and snack. Protein comes from foods such as eggs, yogurt, milk, cheese, juts, meal, poultry, fish, tofu and other soy foods.

*Skip the sugar high: The simple sugars in sweet foods like candy and soda will provide you with a quick burst of energy, but this burst man be followed by a drop in energy and a craving for more sweets. If you're craving something sweet, go for nature's candy, fresh and dried fruits.

*Eating a healthy breakfast: Yes, it's the important meal of the day. Eating a healthy breakfast will help be alert throughout the morning, minimize cravings, and may even help you manage your weight. The best breakfasts include some high fiber carbohydrates and some protein. Here are some few examples: an egg on whole grain toast, a high fiber breakfast cereal with soy or skim milk, or a low fat yogurt with granola.

*Stay hydrated: You need fuilds for breast milk production and you need it for energy. Aim for at least six to eight cups of fuild a day.

*Go easy on the java: Through after a sleepless night you may feel like downing the whole pot of coffee, we don't recommend it. One mug of coffee will help you perk up your morning, but if you drink more than that, your body might actually experience some minor withdrawal symptoms later in the day. And it could irritate your nursing baby, too. If you choose to have caffeinated drinks, enjoy only one or two servings (a serving is eight ounces of coffee, not a super grande mega twenty ouncer), and finish them before 3pm or your nighttime sleep may be affected too.

*Mineralize: If you are deficient in iron or magnesium you might feel low in energy. You prenatal vitamin has iron-keep taking it. To get iron from foods, enjoy some lean organic ground beef once or twice a week, and choose other sources like fortified cereals, beans, dried fruit, dark leafly greens, and egg yolks. Magnesium is found in nuts,soybeans and tofu, spinach, whole grains like shredded wheat, wheat bran, and oatmeal and yogurt.