Why Moms Need Water
New moms, and for that matter, all active moms today should be aware of how important drinking enough water is to their health, well-being and the appearance of their skin.
Most of us know that water helps to flush the body of damaging toxins. Drinking water also aids in the prevention of kidney stones, helps muscle tone and prevents against cramping, especially when exercising a lot. Nursing moms know that breastfeeding can be dehydrating, and often find themselves reaching for a glass of water more often than before the baby arrived.
Believe it or not, water is as essential to your bodily functions as it is to your skin. Well-hydrated skin helps it looking its best, keeping impurities to a minimum. If you have ever gone for a facial, you have probably heard the ‘water speech’ from the technician who can tell from the appearance of your skin, whether or not you have been drinking enough water.
This is not to say that water cures wrinkles or prevents dry skin – those problems are primarily influenced by genetics and lifestyle habits (diet, drinking, smoking and/or exposure to the elements). However it can cut down on the number and severity of break-outs, along with helping those dark circles under your eyes.
How much water is enough? That subject has been debated continually. Some swear by the 8 glasses per day rule, some say to only drink when you are thirsty, and there are others that say to carry a glass/bottle of water at all times. Common sense should be the rule, since everyone is different – variety in diets and physical conditions would make the water rule differ for each individual. For instance, if you drink a lot of caffeinated beverages, and won’t do without them, then you should obviously add water to compensate for the dehydrating effects of caffeine. That also goes for alcoholic beverages, however you will loose more water with these types of drinks than with caffeinated drinks.
Some signs that you are not getting enough water – more frequent headaches, tiredness or feeling sluggish. If you are not getting enough water your urine will tend to be dark. A good guideline to follow – if your urine is clear, then you are probably drinking enough water.
If you are not a big fan of water, remember that increasing the amount of water-full foods you eat will help – like melons, lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes and spinach, just to name a few.
(Always consult with your physician for health recommendations, since he/she knows your history best.)
