Liver improvement while breastfeeding

[jenshipway]

I was interested in doing the smoothie shakedown while breastfeeding my 3 week old. I have read the forums that say to start with phase 3, however my interest is in improving nutrition and ease of getting those nutrients into my body. I noticed that during my last trimester I was beginning to have several skin issues (peeling, severe itching) and then nail issues (peeling, ridges forming, lifting off of nailbed - and NO I do not have nail fungus). I have read into my issues and have come to the conclusion that my liver is "congested". I understand I do not want to detox due to my infant breastfeeding, I understand I can not lose huge amounts of weight while breastfeeding. I do not understand why I could not do the smoothie shakes with snacks and dinner. Right now because of my son wanting to be held continuously I end up eating either a bagel or munching on cookies all day until when my husband comes home, when I make a quick healthy dinner or us. I am trying to eat better to improve my nutrition and have concerns about the quality of my breastmilk because of the junk I put in. I am also concerned that all the sugar I am putting into my body is causing my son gastric distress, increasingly colicky I have read before that what mom ingests will upset the baby but my doctor reassured me that the breasts are like filters and nothing goes through and it really does not matter what I eat...which backs up another article I read concerning producing quality breast milk which stated that even in times of famine the mother will always be able to produce breast milk for the infant. Suggestions please....appreciate greatly.

[jforbes]

Hi Jen,
I can appreciate you wanting a quick way to feed yourself, and your baby during this time. You must exhausted!

Your body is letting you know that you aren't getting adequate nutrients. Do you have a swing for you baby so that you could make yourself a salad with leftover protein from the previous night's dinner. It would be a good break for both of you. You could boil up a bunch of eggs to snack on, they'll hold for close to a week once boiled.

I wouldn't suggest SS but if you did the succession plan: 2 meals and 1 smoothie with snacks as recommended, that should give you enough calories to support yourself and your baby. Don't buy what they are trying to sell you in that it doesn't matter what you eat. It does! Everything will travel through to the baby, albeit in smaller quantities. So, the better the fuel, well....the better!

Make sure you're getting plenty of the healthy oils as recommended, they should really help with your skin and nails.

Keep us posted on how your doing.

[ElyMom]

Hi Jen!

I understand you completely. I was there myself just a few short years ago, and the FFP was such a lifesaver for me at that time!

I absolutely agree with Janine. I followed P3 of the Fat Flush Plan while pregnant with DD#2 and continued while breastfeeding, and it made things so much easier! Better nutrients mean that your body won't be depleted during pregnancy and breastfeeding, which is really important since as lovely as it is to have a cute little bundle of joy at home, it can also be stressful at times, especially if running on little sleep.

I know as moms we tend to put everyone's needs ahead of ours, but taking care of ourselves means we'll be better able to take care of everyone else, too, without spreading ourselves too thin.

You can choose to do 1 shake with the Body Protein and 2 meals, or you can just go on P3 and have a smoothie or two a day with the delicious FF Whey Protein (not as meal replacement, but it does make a great breakfast and/or snack) and follow the guidelines for mealtimes. Believe me, that alone will be a great improvement.
There are also additional tips on nutrition and supplementation during pregnancy and breastfeeding on p. 164 and 165 of the Fat Flush Plan book.

Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have, I will do my best to help you, as will the other wonderful Forum Moderators!