Starting to get nervous about nursing while PG

[melissel]

I know the recommended protein intake for PG women is something like 60 grams, and my MWs told me to up it to 90 grams because I'm nursing. But I'm having a real problem even getting close to 60, even when I stuff myself all day (I totally overeat that way). It's gotten worse since the nausea started--the food aversions are pretty intense. It was like this when I was PG with Bella, I can typically only stomach one or two kinds of things each day (different every day), and they're not usually healthy things anyway :(

So I'm starting to get kind of nervous about still nursing while PG. I don't want to shortchange this new baby. I'd always intended to keep nursing if I had to and tandem too, but now that it's a reality, I'm starting to feel differently.

What should I do here? Do those of you who are still nursing really eat 90 grams of protein a day? I mean, I could probably eat 40-50 grams of protein a day in the form of Big Macs, but that's not very reassuring either! It would break my heart (and hers) to wean her now, but she's 2 1/2. Is it fair to the new baby, who is totally dependent on me, to keep nursing? I'm so conflicted.

TIA

[NatureMama3]

first, you are NOT shortchanging the new baby. The only thing short-changed would be YOUR body.

What high-protein things are you eating? Are you counting the protein in ALL foods, not just "protein" foods? I mean even carrots have SOME protein.

Here's some ideas for high-protein foods (sorry, no meat, as I'm a veggie):

eggs
cheese
yogurt
cottage cheese (only 1/2 cup has 18 grams!)
beans (refried, 3 bean salad, bean soup, etc)
hummus
tofu
nuts
peanut butter (and other nut butters)
meat analogs (boca, gardenburger, etc)
milk (or soymilk)


I'm not sure if I'm getting quite 90, I'm not counting. I'm focusing on eating plenty of high-protein foods, a good variety and not over-eating. I'll let my body worry about the rest. If I were needing more, I'd be more hungry!

[mom2threenurslings]

This is the third pregnancy I've nursed through and the second I've tandem nursed through. I used to worry about the protein, but I've found that as long as *I* feel healthy, I must be getting enough! Your body will take care of baby-within first, then making mamamilk, then you. If you're in good health, baby-within will be also.

NatureMamaOR gave you some really good suggestions.
My favorite high-protein food is cottage cheese, which is great with fruit mixed in. Also...

Smoothies, made with yogurt, with protein powder, as well as fruit, mixed in.

Chili: turkey or beef provides protein as do the beans

Dip: whip one part cream cheese and one part cottage cheese (preferably low fat) and spread in the bottom of a dish. Sprinkly taco seasoning, shredded cheese (I use colby and jack), scallions, diced peppers, and diced tomatoes on top. Eat plain, with chips, or with pita or other bread. You can also make this dip in layers. You get calcuim, protein, fresh veggies, etc. all in one place.

I'll post more ideas when I can!

[Mommay]

I never heard that about 90 grams a day. I have no idea how much protein I'm getting, but I haven't worried because I have actually been getting engorged lately.

But I remember when I was first starting to nurse being worried about not producing enough milk because I didn't always have time to eat right. Someone reminded me that women from third world countries who probably aren't getting enough to eat are still able to nurse. I wouldn't stress about it!

[phathui5]

I nursed through my last pregnancy and one thing that helped was doing the protein counting worksheet from my Bradley teacher. You might want to call one in your area and ask for a copy of it.

Also, remember that everything has protein in it, even if it's not all high amounts.

One site I know you can find a list of protein amounts is at www.vrg.org

[phathui5]

Oh, and you won't be shortchanging the new baby if you don't get 90 grams. A 2 1/2 year old usually doesn't nurse as much as a baby, which is what it sounds like they're adjusting the amount for. I don't think you're using 30g of protein to produce milk.

[lovnbnhome]

Hi...protein is VERY important to you and baby. I always recommend 100grams or more. I'm studying to be a Bradley teacher... contact the main office through www.bradleybirth.com for a protein counter...you'd be surprised at how well you can do if you have a "cheat sheet" around!

good luck!

[lillian]

i am nursing and it is just draining the life out of me. i dont have that much of an appetite (although i am not having MS) and i just cant get enough food or liquid in me.

i was talking about this at my LLL meeting yesterday and a woman who nursed through 2 of her pregnancies said that in supporting 3 people, YOU are the one to suffer. and man, do i ever feel that way.

i dont know how much longer i can make it. i am not making nearly as much milk as i was pre pregnancy.

[melissel]

Thanks for your input everyone. My problem right now is not so much knowing where to find the protein, but being able to stomach it--I'm so grossed out by everything right now. Normally I love both eggs and cheese, so I thought I'd really be able to rely on that for part of the requirement. But I haven't wanted any cheese in days, and I made Bella and myself egg salad for lunch the other day and almost threw it up after I was done. I haven't been able to make eggs since :( I forgot about the cottage cheese, which I should be able to at least attempt, and I'm probably not counting every tiny bit of protein, but I'm pretty anal about it, so I think my estimates are close.

Ugh. Maybe I just have to give in to chicken mcnuggets--I ate a shameful amount of them yesterday for lunch and afterward I felt better than I have in over a week, plus I probably got about 45 grams of protein out of it.

Anyway, thanks for the advice, I appreciate it!

[mom2threenurslings]

lillian...This is the third pregnancy I've nursed through (second I've tandem nursed through) and I've found the first 10-12 weeks to be the toughest as far as feeling like the life is being sucked out of me. It seems to get better after that. A lot of it has to do with NORMAL early pregnancy tiredness, but I think it's amplified by the extra amount of work we're doing producing milk as well. One of my friends who has twins and has nursed (a singleton) through (a singleton) pregnancy says that her level of exhaustion was the same for both circumstances, and that she had a lot more energy when not pg with twins and not nursing through pregnancy.

melissel...IMHO, eat what you can stomach and don't worry so much about how healthy it is for now...as long as you're getting food into your system, you'll start feeling better! Ice cream is a dairy product and has protein. McDonalds has a grilled chicken sandwich that is better for you and also high in protein, if you can stomach that. Chicken McNuggets are now made with all white meat, so that's something! ;) (And they're sounding really good to me right now .... as is a quarter pounder with cheese...and I don't eat red meat! :LOL )

[Music-mommy]

I have to say, I don't agree with eating McDonalds, that food is so toxic, I don't think it will do you any good. Even if it's giving you protein, it is so high in salt, sugar, hydrogenated/transfat oils and refined carbs that it can't possibly be doing you or your baby any good.

I am also nursing, though my dd is 3 now. I also am finding eggs pretty gross, I like almond butter, and some cheeses, like cream cheese I like, so I sometimes have a bagel with cream cheese. Yogurt is high in protein. You shoudl find a list of things high in protein and try things that you can stomach.

The problem also with McDs type food is that because it is so high on the glycemic index, (high in sugars/refined carbs), it might make you feel better temporarily but worse later. The nausea often comes from low sugar levels, and the McDs and any sugary things makes your sugar levels soar, and then crash. There are also some grains that are high in protein content .

If you can tolerate a smoothie type drink, then buy some protein powder from a health food store, make a smoothie with frozen fruits, yogurt and a scoop of protein powder. You will feel much better with this than with that wicked fast food.

[mom2threenurslings]

PROTEIN
food: grams of protein contained / grams of protein your body can use
Milk (1 cup): 9/7
yogurt (skim, 1 cup): 8/7
swiss cheese (1 oz): 8/6
egg (1 medium): 6/6
cheddar cheese (1 sq inch): 7/5
ice cream (1/5 pint): 5/4
sunflower seeds (3 T): 7/4
peanuts (2 T): 8/3
peanut butter (2 T): 8/3
whole grain wheat (1/3 c): 8/3
bulgur (1/3 c): 6/4
pasta (cooked, one cup): 5/3
oatmeal (1/3 c): 4/3
brown rice: 5/3
corn (1 med ear): 4/3
peas (3/4 c shelled): 6/3
collards (1/2 c cooked) 4/2
potato (1/2 white medium baking): 2/1.2
turkey (3 slices roasted): 31/22
pork loin chop: 29/19
steak (1/2 lb): 25/17
hamburger medium: 26/17
chicken breast: 23/15
lamb chops: 20/13
Nuts, seeds. legumes, grains and/or dairy products must be combined in one meal in order to provide the complete protein your body needs. Examples:
rice and legumes ................... rice and milk
corn and legumes .................. wheat and cheese
wheat and legumes................. wheat and milk
wheat and peanuts and milk

HTH!

[redsonya]

hi! I personally believe that protein "requirements" are way, way too high in our society, for pregnant or non pregnant mothers and people in general. Some of the healthiest societies on earth are the ones where there is the least amount of animal protein consumption (meat or dairy). I'm not a vegetarian, but I eat very little meat and tend not to like high protein foods in general.

I would say that as long as the food you are eating is healthy and nutrient rich (no empty calories), and that you remain super hydrated, and never go hungry, you should be fine. Make sure your iron levels are ok, and if they aren't, try to consume iron rich foods like legumes, red meat, or fortified cereals.

[Music-mommy]

hi! I personally believe that protein "requirements" are way, way too high in our society, for pregnant or non pregnant mothers and people in general. Some of the healthiest societies on earth are the ones where there is the least amount of animal protein consumption (meat or dairy). I'm not a vegetarian, but I eat very little meat and tend not to like high protein foods in general.

I would say that as long as the food you are eating is healthy and nutrient rich (no empty calories), and that you remain super hydrated, and never go hungry, you should be fine. Make sure your iron levels are ok, and if they aren't, try to consume iron rich foods like legumes, red meat, or fortified cereals.

the problem though is that most people don't know what foods are healthy and which are not because of all the marketing campaigns of these high powered companies. Most people in North America eat way too many starches/refined carbs. Toast, cereal , muffins, danishes etc.. for breakfast (laden with sugar, jam,) lunch consists of sandwiches, again full of bread, etc.. dinner, potatoes, french fries, white bread, white rice.... So, it is important for people to eat more protein, because that is the only way to get the glycemic index down when you are eating sugars all day long. They market horrible foods like Special K, gatorade, Sunny D, yoplait yogurt, fruit juices, all this stuff, full of sugar and yet it's marketed as "healthy". So we suck it back thinking it's healthy and wonder why we end up with GD.

Of course asians eat lots of white rice, but never in the same format as us, they eat a small amount of rice which a huge amount of vegetables. This keeps the glycemic index down and keeps them healthy. We on the other hand, eat a chicken pot pie, with rice. No veggies there to speak of, just lots of starch and fat.

[melissel]

Mmmmmm...chicken pot pie! Actually, I load my chicken pot pie with veggies, I love the veggies in the pot pie gravy, LOL. Seriously though, you are absolutely right, and I'm very concscious of what we eat here. I tried to do Atkins awhile back and couldn't stick to it, but it made me VERY aware of how little protein I really was eating.

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on your perspective), right now carbs are making me so incredibly sick--within 10 minutes of eating a carb-heavy food I want to lay down and die. Yesterday morning I made the tiniest piece of baguette toast to hold me over while making breakfast for my toddler, and before I was even done with her breakfast I wanted to go back to bed and lay down for awhile. I had to counteract it with a monster omelet, and then I felt bloated and awful anyway. I'm leaning heavily on foods that are protein heavy instead, they're the only foods that don't immediately make me nauseous. The real problem is that healthy foods are just not appealing to me now, so it's hit or miss every day as to what I'll be able to stomach.

Man, I can't wait for week 13! I just want to be able to prepare a normal meal for my family again. Thanks for the input.