Question
What should breastfeeding mothers eat to benefit their child? What should the indoor temperature be for a baby who just had their first month, and when should a baby start calcium supplementation?
Answer
Breastfeeding mothers should maintain a balanced diet, including staple foods, meats, eggs, vegetables, and fruits, to ensure their baby receives comprehensive nutrition. They should drink plenty of water and avoid excessive intake of sugary and high-calorie, high-fat foods, as this may lead to the baby becoming overweight and affecting brain development. They can consume more fish, shrimp, seaweed, and soy products, which are rich in calcium, and get adequate sun exposure to help the body absorb calcium. Breastfeeding mothers can supplement calcium appropriately, as children usually do not need additional supplementation. If concerned, they can give their child cod liver oil. When the mother’s milk supply is insufficient, she should drink more water and soup, such as crucian carp soup. Generally speaking, the room temperature for the baby’s room should be kept around 25 degrees Celsius; both too high or too low temperatures may make the baby feel uncomfortable. Normal room temperature is sufficient. For breastfed babies, it is recommended to start calcium supplementation after three months, while for babies on mixed or formula feeding, supplementation can begin after one month. Babies aged 0-6 months need 300 milligrams of calcium daily, 400 milligrams from 6 to 12 months, and 600 milligrams from 1 to 3 years old. As the baby grows, the calcium requirement will gradually increase. Letting the baby get more sunlight and supplementing vitamin D when supplementing calcium will help the baby absorb calcium effectively. Wishing your baby a healthy growth!