We all know how important hydration is, but we do little about it. This can become a serious problem, especially if you are a new mother. A new mom is so busy looking after her little bundle of joy that she starts to neglect her own health, including drinking less water.
This leads to dehydration, which is a serious problem and can cause you headaches, dizziness, dry mouth or even constipation. As your body is still weak from the contractions, the extra strain from these health problems can lead to something even worse. That is why it is important for new mothers to stay hydrated!
It is therefore essential that you stay hydrated and enjoy this new and exciting phase of your life. Read on to find out why new mums need to stay hydrated all the time. And how can you do this?
Tips For New Moms To Stay Hydrated
Well, honestly, there is no right answer to that, if I say that you should drink 8-10 glasses a day, which is the cliché answer, then maybe that is not the right answer for you. Depending on your body type and your system, your water dependency can vary. Here are some tips to help you decide how much water you should drink to avoid dehydration:
- Drink enough water so that you do not feel dehydrated and drink whenever you feel really thirsty.
- The weather conditions and a person’s body are also crucial in deciding how much water to drink. For example, if you use a lot of energy, you will need more water than mothers who are less active.
- Watch out for signs of dehydration such as dark lips, dark-coloured urine, constipation, headaches and increase your water intake if you notice them.
- Nursing mothers need to drink water at regular intervals to avoid dehydration. They are at greater risk because they have physical changes during this phase and lose fluid, which makes them tired and prone to headaches.
- Also, if you are eating traditional dishes such as laddus or dried fruit halwa (common among Indian mothers), you should also drink water frequently to digest these dishes.
Here are some tips that will help to stay hydrated:
Staying hydrated does not mean that you are drinking gallons of water even though you have reached your limit. There are many fruits and vegetables that contain enough water, and this helps your body stay cool and not dehydrated. Let’s look at options other than water that can help you:
Fruits
Watermelon and strawberries are rich in water and flavour; eat them raw or make juices or smoothies from these fruits.
You can even drink coconut water, sugar cane juice and other juices once a day to keep your fluid balance within limits.
Vegetables
Lettuce and cucumbers have plenty of water. Make it a habit to put these two ingredients in your salad and you will not dry out.
Yogurt
Yoghurt is a magic food; it keeps infections at bay and really helps you stay hydrated all day long. You can take it as it is, or even mix it with fruit to make a smoothie.
Set reminders on your phone
A new mother is so busy looking after her baby and trying to figure out how to do things for a toddler that sometimes it is impossible to keep track of how much water you have drunk. They even forget to drink water, so it is a good idea to set alarm clocks on the phone so that you are reminded to drink water at regular intervals.
Don’t substitute caffeine for water
Caffeine does not help hydrate the body, but everyone loves coffee. However, newborn mothers need to monitor their caffeine intake as it leads to serious dehydration. A cup every now and then is good, but for regular intake you should switch to juices, soups and other healthier options.
Don’t forget water
Follow any and all of the above options, but do not make them an excuse to avoid drinking water. Nothing can replace the benefits of pure and simple water. So drink it frequently and keep a bottle close by. Also make sure that you buy a water filter jug so that your water is pure and free of infection.
Finally, drink water and juices, but even if these things do not help and you still feel dehydrated or dizzy, you should see your doctor immediately.
Stay hydrated to enjoy your maternity!
