These Foods Increase The Amount Of Milk You Produce While Lactating…

[LoShiNi]

It’s hard for a mom to know if she’s producing enough milk while lactating. The best indicator that you are producing enough is if your baby is gaining weight and growing well. It’s normal for a newborn to lose weight during the first few days but then it begins to gain weight again between three and five days after birth. Babies tend to get their weight back after 14 days.

Of course, there are other signs that your baby is receiving enough milk: breastfeeding is comfortable and painless, the newborn feeds at least six to eight times per day and is happy after each feeding, your breasts feel emptier and softer after feeding, you can see and hear your baby swallowing while feeding. There are situations in which breastfeeding can be uncomfortable and painful, even when enough milk is being produced.

Breastfeeding your baby frequently and on demand is important to help establish and maintain a steady supply of milk. If your newborn is very drowsy, you may have to wake them and gently encourage them to feed more often. This will stimulate your breasts to produce more milk. Your body adapts to the quantity of milk demanded. So if you start to supplement your milk with formula, then the quantity of breast milk you produce will reduce.

There is a common belief that certain foods help increase breast milk production. The truth is that there is very little research about it and it’s often not reliable enough to be conclusive. Here is a list of foods which are commonly considered to help with breast milk production, and what we know about their effectiveness.

Fenugreek

Fenugreek is a member of the same plant family as peanuts, chickpeas and soy. If you’re allergic to any of these foods, you may also have an allergic reaction to fenugreek seeds or tea.

Fennel seeds

Fennel seeds are another traditional food to increase milk production. It’s also given to new moms to help prevent gas and colic in the baby. The logic is that because the fennel seeds are used by adults to relieve stomach disorders and help digestion, the benefits can be passed onto the baby via mother’s breast milk. There’s no research to support any of these beliefs, but many mothers insist that fennel seeds have helped them and their babies.

Garlic

Among its many healing properties, such as benefiting the immunological system and preventing heart diseases, it is said that garlic helps increase the supply of breast milk. However, there isn’t much research to back up this claim. If you eat a lot of garlic, it may affect the taste and smell of your breast milk. A small study found that babies of mothers who ate garlic tended to breastfeed for longer. This suggests that babies like the taste of garlic in breast milk. However, the study was too small for the results to be considered conclusive.

Leafy green vegetables

Vegetables such as spinach or mustard leaves are an excellent source of minerals such as iron, calcium, phosphate and vitamins such as beta-carotene and riboflavin. They are also thought to improve breast milk quality. It’s recommended that women who are breastfeeding eat at least 1 or 2 servings of leafy green vegetables per day.

Cumin seeds

As well as stimulating the milk supply, it is said that cumin seeds improve digestion and give relief from constipation, heartburn and bloating. Cumin seeds are an integral part of many Indian dishes and are a rich source of calcium and riboflavin (a B vitamin). You could bake them and add them to your snacks.

Sesame seeds

Sesame seeds are a good source of non-dairy calcium. Calcium is an important nutrient for mothers who are breastfeeding. It’s important for your baby’s development, as well as your own health.

Pumpkin

Vegetables from the pumpkin family are traditionally used to improve the supply of breast milk. Not only are they low in calories and nutritious, but they’re also easy to digest.

Legumes

Red lentils not only increase the supply of breast milk, but are also a great source of protein, iron, and fiber.

Dried fruits and nuts

It is thought that almonds and cashews increase the production of breast milk. They’re rich in calories, vitamins and minerals, providing energy and nutrients. They’re an excellent snack and easily available. You could combine them with milk to make a delicious almond milk.

Oatmeal

It’s rich in iron, calcium, fiber, vitamin B, and is very easy to obtain. Oatmeal also helps relieve anxiety and depression. It’s consumed in flakes and you can choose to add nuts, milk, spices or fruits to further improve the nutritional value.

You should also maintain a healthy, balanced diet after giving birth. This will give your body the majority of the nutrients it and your baby need. However, it’s recommended that breastfeeding women take daily supplements of iron, folic acid, vitamin B and calcium. Your doctor will talk to you about what supplements you need after examining your diet and inform you of the correct dose. Gentle chest massages can also help, but you should be careful not to press too hard to avoid damaging the milk ducts.