Foods for Breastfeeding Mothers to Help Babies Gain Weight, Supported by Hegen’s Anti-Colic Bottles

Being a breastfeeding mother is a journey filled with love, and challenges. One of the most common worries is when a baby’s weight doesn’t increase according to growth charts. You may have tried eating more, drinking special lactation milk, and even pumping regularly, yet your baby’s weight still hasn’t improved significantly. Naturally, this makes you wonder, what’s going wrong?

The truth is, it’s not only about the types of foods you eat, but also about how effectively your baby absorbs nutrients from breast milk. Inefficient feeding, such as frequent gas, bloating, or swallowing air during nursing, can disrupt nutrient absorption and slow down healthy weight gain.

Let’s explore more deeply the best foods for breastfeeding mothers to help babies gain weight, and how Hegen’s anti-colic baby bottles can support optimal nutrient absorption during every feeding session.

Why Is Your Baby’s Weight Not Increasing Even with Breastfeeding?

A baby’s weight gain doesn’t depend solely on how often they feed, but also on how well their body absorbs nutrients from breast milk. Several factors can contribute to slow or minimal weight gain, including:

• Incorrect breastfeeding position: This can prevent the baby from getting enough milk during each feeding.

• Irregular feeding patterns: Feeding too infrequently, especially during the early weeks, can reduce milk supply. Babies who are often given pacifiers may also receive less breast milk overall.

• Low milk production: Stress, exhaustion, or inadequate rest can affect the mother’s milk flow.

• Incomplete feeding sessions: If feeding stops too soon, the baby may only get foremilk (the lighter, low-fat milk at the start) without enough hindmilk (the richer, high-fat milk at the end), which is essential for weight gain.

• Digestive issues such as colic: Babies who experience gas or discomfort often feed less effectively.

• Maternal health factors: Conditions like postpartum depression can affect a mother’s ability to manage feeding routines and respond to her baby’s needs.

The key lies in two crucial elements: ensuring the mother has adequate nutrition and creating a comfortable, efficient feeding experience for the baby.

Best Foods for Breastfeeding Mothers to Help Babies Gain Weight and Stay Healthy

Source: Freepik

Mothers can help their babies grow healthy and gain weight more effectively by paying close attention to their daily nutrition. Here are some of the most recommended types of foods for breastfeeding mothers:

1. High-Quality Protein Sources

Protein plays a vital role in building muscle and body tissue for babies. The best options include salmon, eggs, lean chicken, and legumes such as edamame or almonds. Not only does protein improve breast milk quality, but it also helps mothers maintain their energy throughout the day.

2. Healthy Fats

Good fats provide essential energy for babies and support brain development. Avocados, fatty fish like tuna or salmon, olive oil, and almonds are excellent sources. Healthy fats also help regulate hormones and promote a sense of fullness, keeping mothers nourished and balanced during breastfeeding.

3. Complex Carbohydrates

Complex carbs such as oatmeal, brown rice, whole grains, and sweet potatoes offer steady energy and help sustain consistent milk production. Avoid simple carbohydrates like excess sugar, which can cause energy crashes and affect overall well-being.

4. Vitamin-Rich Fruits and Vegetables

Vegetables and fruits such as spinach, broccoli, carrots, papaya, bananas, berries, and oranges are rich in vitamins A, C, and iron, nutrients essential for strengthening a baby’s immune system. Their fiber content also supports healthy digestion for mothers, which in turn contributes to maintaining optimal milk quality.

Nutrition Alone Isn’t Enough. Feeding Support Matters Too

Even if mothers eat the right foods to help their babies gain weight, proper nutrient absorption won’t happen if the feeding process is uncomfortable. One common issue is colic or bloating, often caused when babies swallow air during feeding.

Imagine this: despite maintaining a nutritious diet and pumping regularly, your little one still cries and struggles to sleep because of tummy discomfort. This is where feeding support plays a crucial role. Choosing the right feeding bottle can help reduce air intake, allowing your baby to absorb nutrients more effectively and grow healthily.

Hegen Anti-Colic Baby Bottle: The Key to Optimal Nutrient Absorption

If you’re looking for a bottle that keeps feeding comfortable and natural, Hegen is the perfect choice. Every feature is crafted to support your baby’s comfort while preserving the quality of breast milk.

Anti-Colic Air Vent System

Hegen’s advanced air vent system prevents air from mixing with milk during feeding. This helps reduce the risk of colic, bloating, and spit-up, allowing your baby to feed calmly and absorb nutrients more effectively.

Breast-Like Teat Design

The teat’s natural shape and texture mimic a mother’s breast, making it easier for babies to switch between breastfeeding and bottle-feeding. It maintains a natural feeding rhythm and prevents nipple confusion.

All-in-One System (Express – Store – Feed)

Hegen’s innovative all-in-one system lets mothers pump, store, and feed using the same container, minimizing milk transfer and contamination risk. Made from high-quality PPSU material, it’s durable, heat-resistant, crystal clear, and 100% BPA-free, ensuring safety and convenience for long-term use.

Tips for Combining Nutrition and Feeding Support to Help Babies Gain Weight

Source: Freepik

With a combination of proper maternal nutrition and the right feeding support, babies can absorb nutrients more effectively and avoid issues like insufficient milk supply or stagnant weight gain.

• Increase healthy calories: Add 450–500 calories per day from whole foods such as brown rice, fruits, vegetables, and natural protein sources.

• Enrich healthy fats: Consume avocados, salmon, olive oil, and nuts to support your baby’s brain development.

• Meet daily protein needs: Choose eggs, lean chicken, or tofu and tempeh as key sources of protein for your baby’s tissue growth.

• Stay hydrated: Drink water after every feeding to maintain milk production and prevent fatigue.

• Breastfeed every 2–3 hours or as needed to keep your milk supply consistent.

• Ensure proper latch: Your baby’s mouth should open wide, the lower lip should curl outward, and you should hear swallowing sounds, signs that milk is being absorbed well.

• Pump regularly to maintain supply and monitor milk quality.

• Use Hegen’s anti-colic bottle to minimize air intake during feeding and support smoother digestion.

• Get enough rest: Adequate sleep helps stabilize milk production and keeps you energized for your breastfeeding journey.

Nutrition + Hegen = The Perfect Combination for Your Baby’s Growth and Development

Providing nutritious foods for breastfeeding mothers to help babies gain weight is essential—but how your baby feeds also determines how effectively those nutrients are absorbed. With Hegen’s anti-colic feeding bottle, you can ensure every drop of breast milk is absorbed optimally.

A healthy weight gain isn’t just about what your baby eats, but also how they drink. Choose Hegen, because every drop of breast milk deserves to be perfectly absorbed for your baby’s growth and development.
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Reference:

• Breastfeeding Support. Baby Not Gaining Weight. https://breastfeeding.support/baby-not-gaining-weight/

• Hello Sehat. 10 Rekomendasi Vitamin untuk Ibu Menyusui agar Tetap Sehat. https://hellosehat.com/parenting/bayi/menyusui/rekomendasi-vitamin-untuk-ibu-menyusui/

• The Lactation Collection. Newborn Weight Loss: What to Expect. https://thelactationcollection.com/blog/what-to-expect-newborn-weight-loss/