Wellness and Nutrition When You're 40 Weeks Pregnant
When you're 40 weeks pregnant, you've been waiting a long time to meet your baby. The wait's almost over! Take time this week to learn more about breastfeeding basics and formula fundamentals. During your 40th week of pregnancy, you might want to think about:
Breastfeeding Basics
You've probably learned about the benefits of breastfeeding from reading and from your childbirth classes. In addition to delivering rich nutrition and important antibodies to your newborn, breastfeeding can benefit you, too:
- After birth, breastfeeding releases hormones that help the uterus contract and reduce bleeding, helping speed your recovery time.
- You burn more calories when you breastfeed, helping you lose weight.
- Breastfeeding releases desirable "feel-good" hormones.
- Breastfeeding is economical.
Want to learn more about breastfeeding positions, how often your baby might want to feed, and more? Check out Breastfeeding: Getting Started.
Nutrition tip: Maintain your nutrition, calorie intake, and fluids to support breast-milk production.
Formula-Feeding Fundamentals
If you choose to formula feed, it's nice to know that Similac® provides your baby with vitamins, minerals, extra iron, and other ingredients that mimic breast milk. Other facts about formula include:
- Most formula is made from nonfat cow's milk and fat from soy, coconut, or corn.
- For your convenience, formula comes in powdered, condensed, or ready-to-serve forms.
- Formula takes longer to digest than breast milk, but listen to your baby's feeding cues.
- Enjoy this special feeding time with your baby!
Want to learn more about formula feeding? Check out Formula Feeding and Nutrition.
Nutrition tip: Eat for energy you'll need for routine nighttime feedings.
Still Waiting for Your Baby?
Health care professionals encourage moms to keep moving even through the latest weeks of pregnancy and during labor. Walking can help induce labor and help labor progress.