Healthy eating with a baby

[lilac223]

Hi all, wondering if anyone can help a very time poor, sleep deprived, single mum?

I have a 4 week old DD and I am breastfeeding. Being on my own is tough, and I'm aware I am eating very, very poorly.

For example, today I have eaten some breakfast biscuits and toast.

I feel guilty due to breastfeeding, I know I need to eat better but cooking meals for myself with a little baby just isn't happening.

Has anyone got some top tips or simple ideas for healthy food I can grab and go? (Cooking isn't my strong point at the best of times)

Thank you

Congratulations on your new baby! And well done for breastfeeding, it's not easy. I would say aim for calories and balance rather than anything too taxing right now. Look to eat carbs, protein, good fats each time and get some fruit and veg. So toast/crackers with cheese/peanut butter and some fruit or veg sticks. Shove on plate and eat with baby in bed! Toast with butter and baked beans. Full fat Greek yogurt with some oats and strawberries stirred in. Just simple stuff you can assemble in a couple of mins. Once you're managing that, a slow cooker is so useful. Also - biscuits, cake and toast are an important part of post partum life so don't beat yourself up about them!

Through the summer try making interesting salads. One of my favourites is roasted Mediterranean vegetables (buy frozen) and mozzarella on leaves, or I like new potatoes (buy the microwaveable ones in the chiller section they will last you 2 meals) with goats cheese, leaves, roasted peppers (jarred), cucumbers and beetroot dressed with balsamic reduction (buy ready made of course). Look at preserved or frozen vegetables to avoid waste.

Another tip is to buy rolls (I like the Lidl stone baked ones) and freeze - just grab from freezer 6 hours before you want it.

One healthy meal a day will help you feel better

Literally line up jars in the fridge to top salads I should add

Stuffed pasta was my go to at a similar age

flapjacks and a glass of milk and fruit of some kind

When I was breastfeeding in the early days I would drink porridge from one of those instant porridge pots and eat berries straight from the container. That's breakfast sorted. Beans on wholemeal toast is quick and relatively healthy for lunch as are jacket potatoes with tuna and a basic salad. I remember eating loads of flapjacks to keep my energy levels up as oats are good for milk production apparently.

Not sure if finances allow, but we were bought a load of Cook meals when i first had DD. They are tasty (and relatively healthy) frozen meals that you can chuck in the microwave. Having a few in the freezer might help on days that you really dont feel like cooking or if you haven't got round to doing any batch cooking.

I was single second, and May as well have been cut my first, and I breastfed. A sling is your friend for meal prep. Try and make multiple portions that you can heat or eat cold. If I was your friend I’d cook for you if you asked too!
right now it doesn’t matter what you eat as long as you eat, I had pre-made flapjacks or cereal bars for breakfast plus fruit or readymade smoothie. Yoghurt for snack. Made a flask of coffee and water bottle for drinks. Pasta or soup for lunch. Something equally easy for dinner.

you’re doing a great job!

Veg and no fruit is absolutely fine. Maybe some full fat yogurts and wholegrain bread rather than white. Even that would be a good start.

You're all amazing- so many great ideas, thank you! I agree one healthy meal a day would probably make me feel a lot better.

I think I'll start off small with getting some porridge pots for an easy breakfast w berries.

Boiled eggs and veg sticks in the fridges for snacks/lunch- how many days do these generally keep?

Nice juices to drink as well.

Beans on toast/jacket potato etc... will definitely look at the Cook meals too.

I would get some decent ready meals and soups in, COOK does a good variety for one person meals) and then sit down and research meals you can easily prep and freeze.

Get a carrier/sling if you and baby like and you have hands free for prep work.

Could you do overnight oats or Bircher Muesli in the evening to have a easy start of the day? Get frozen fruit to add to them as well.

It will get easier when your baby is happy to be in a bouncer or invest in a playpen so it's safe.