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Health & Baby

Essentials for Baby

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Problems After Delivery of Your Baby - Prevention

It is important to make healthy lifestyle choices to lower your chance for problems after your delivery.

Get plenty of rest.
Limit your use of caffeine if you are breast-feeding.
Eat a nutritious diet. Get enough protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and zinc. These nutrients are vital to your baby's growth, development, and weight gain. Pay attention to your nutrition, especially if you are breast-feeding. Be sure to get the right amounts of calcium.
Try to get 30 minutes of exercise on most, if not all, days of the week.
Do pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises to prevent urine control problems (incontinence) after childbirth.

Things to avoid if you are breast-feeding

Alcohol
Smoking or using tobacco products
Illegal drugs
Misusing medicines
Fish that may have mercury. This includes shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, more than 6 oz (170 g) of white albacore tuna a week, or fish caught in local waters that have not tested as safe.
Hazardous chemicals, certain cosmetic products, or radiation

Call your doctor if you have any questions about breast-feeding. This may help prevent any problems.

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: October 18, 2010

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.