First Steps Nutrition Modules

MODULE 5: Nutrition in the Postpartum Period

Knowledge Check

Case Example: Kayla

Kayla is a 20-year-old single woman, who initially came to her local WIC office seeking food assistance. She found an apartment and moved in about a month before her infant (Skylar) was born. Skylar is healthy. Kayla will return to work the night shift at a convenience store in 2 weeks, and a friend has agreed to watch Skylar while Kayla works. She is not sure how this will work because she is already very tired. Money is very tight, and Kayla still has problems finding enough food at the end of the month. She is looking forward to losing the weight that she gained during pregnancy.

Kayla described a usual day's intake:

Breakfast: coffee, cereal with milk (though she often skips breakfast)
Snack: Poptart
Lunch: peanut butter sandwich
Dinner: fast food (usually a hamburger value meal with french fries and a soda)

What concerns do you have about Kayla's nutritional status?

Kayla's food pattern indicates risk of deficiency for several nutrients, (based on her description of a usual day’s intake and her comment about being very tired).

Other "red flags" include:

food insecurity (not having enough money for food at the end of the month)
upcoming return to work may make healthy food selection even more difficult

What will you incorporate into the nutrition care plan?

Counseling should include information about general diet quality and address concerns about specific nutrients. A discussion about expectations for weight loss and infant feeding methods is also indicated.

The dietitian could discuss a healthy approach to eating. If a mother is already run down and tired she needs to be careful about an overly restrictive food pattern. Without adequate nutrition, she could become even more tired, and with the added stress of working could increase her risk of becoming sick. The discussion could include meal planning strategies that will help Kayla get easy nutritious meals and still allow for some weight loss.

The care plan might also include referrals, including:

for medical insurance for Skylar
resources for food
other resources (e.g., community resources that provide diapers and other infant items)

Questions? Contact: pwdlearn@u.washington.edu
Copyright 2007 | Disclaimers
Last updated: 04/04/2019

MODULE 5: Nutrition in the Postpartum Period
Home \| Module Index \| Resources \| Glossary
Intro Changes in the Postpartum Period Nutrient Needs in the Postpartum Period Considerations in the Nutritional Assessment Developing Interventions Case Examples References and Resources Quiz	Knowledge Check Case Example: Kayla Kayla is a 20-year-old single woman, who initially came to her local WIC office seeking food assistance. She found an apartment and moved in about a month before her infant (Skylar) was born. Skylar is healthy. Kayla will return to work the night shift at a convenience store in 2 weeks, and a friend has agreed to watch Skylar while Kayla works. She is not sure how this will work because she is already very tired. Money is very tight, and Kayla still has problems finding enough food at the end of the month. She is looking forward to losing the weight that she gained during pregnancy. Kayla described a usual day's intake: Breakfast: coffee, cereal with milk (though she often skips breakfast) Snack: Poptart Lunch: peanut butter sandwich Dinner: fast food (usually a hamburger value meal with french fries and a soda) What concerns do you have about Kayla's nutritional status? Kayla's food pattern indicates risk of deficiency for several nutrients, (based on her description of a usual day’s intake and her comment about being very tired). Other "red flags" include: food insecurity (not having enough money for food at the end of the month) upcoming return to work may make healthy food selection even more difficult What will you incorporate into the nutrition care plan? Counseling should include information about general diet quality and address concerns about specific nutrients. A discussion about expectations for weight loss and infant feeding methods is also indicated. The dietitian could discuss a healthy approach to eating. If a mother is already run down and tired she needs to be careful about an overly restrictive food pattern. Without adequate nutrition, she could become even more tired, and with the added stress of working could increase her risk of becoming sick. The discussion could include meal planning strategies that will help Kayla get easy nutritious meals and still allow for some weight loss. The care plan might also include referrals, including: for medical insurance for Skylar resources for food other resources (e.g., community resources that provide diapers and other infant items)

	Questions? Contact: pwdlearn@u.washington.edu Copyright 2007 \| Disclaimers Last updated: 04/04/2019