Taking care of a baby is, simply put, tiring. Heavy food can make you sleepy afterward, so try to keep meals and snacks light and nutritious. Here are some other helpful tips:

Don't skip breakfast. Tempting though it may be to skip the morning meal when you're rushed, your body needs to refuel after a night's sleep – especially a night without sleep! Protein like eggs and slow-burning carbs with iron such as oatmeal with walnuts and raisins will give you energy to last all morning.

Pack in the produce. Aim for those daily 2 1/2 to 3 cups of vegetables and 2 cups of fruit recommended for women of childbearing age. Keep crudités (cut-up raw veggies) ready to eat in your refrigerator. Add diced vegetables to quesadillas, roll-ups, and casseroles. Fruits can be dried, frozen, or canned – all are healthy for you, as long as they don't have a lot of added sugar. Make smoothies from fresh or frozen fruit, fruit juice, and yogurt.

Look beyond junk food for pick-me-ups. After a quick burst of energy, chips and candy can leave you feeling more sluggish than before. Look for more nutritious high-energy alternatives such as almonds or peanuts, yogurt, and granola bars. Buy a premade trail mix or concoct your own with dried fruit, raisins, sunflower or pumpkin seeds, nuts, and coconut flakes or chocolate chips.

Count carbs in. Carbohydrates have gotten a bad rap in recent years – but they're a great source of energy and good for you if you eat moderate portions and make healthy choices. Try whole-wheat pasta, multigrain oatmeal, and wheat bread and crackers.

Drink healthy. Remember to stay hydrated by drinking lots of water. Fruit juices, soda, coffee drinks, and energy drinks are trickier – keep an eye on their sugar content, and remember that caffeinated drinks should be limited if you're nursing.

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