Curriculum Topic: Group Activity, Educator Demonstration
Activity Type: Postpartum, Healthy Birth Practice 6, Breastfeeding
Purpose: Clarify what foods are best for breastfeeding parents
Time Needed: 5-10 minutes
Supplies: Two signs/cards reading "Okay" in green, and "Not Okay" in red
Cards with foods on them, including: cup of coffee, blue Gatorade, oatmeal, fenugreek pills, lactation tea, dark/stout beer, peanuts, sushi soy milk, can of tuna, Red Bull or other energy drink, salt, broccoli and/or cauliflower, honey, bottled water, rare steak, protein bars, hot sauce, garlic, fermented food, cabbage, dark chocolate, bread, almonds, lactation cookies, any other food or beverage you wish to add
Instructions:
Prior to a break, I introduce the activity and give instructions for the sort. During the break, I distribute the cards on everyone’s seats for when they return. I place the Okay/Not Okay cards next to each other at the front of the classroom on the floor. (You could do it on the wall too.) As we start class again, the participants have all placed their cards in what they believe to be the appropriate category. I thank them for doing such a thorough job but tell them I want to make a little adjustment. I proceed to remove the “Not Okay” card and adjust the “Okay” card to sit in the center of the entire collection. We then discuss what the research says about diet and lactation, how many extra calories a lactating person should consume and some myths on consuming or avoiding different types of food and drink.
Set-Up:
Pass out cards, put up "Okay" and "Not Okay" signs
Talking Points:
During pregnancy, families learn about breastfeeding/chestfeeding their babies. They often receive a lot of input from many sources, including family, friends, and health care providers. Unfortunately, what families are being told is not always accurate. Often the information includes what foods they should eat while lactating, what foods they should avoid (for a variety of reasons) and what combination of foods can help to increase milk supply. This activity answers all of those questions in a fun, short and engaging activity with a big “finish” at the end!
Modifications:
You could use empty food cartons or containers instead of the cards.
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