It is not easy to be a new mother. From the food you eat to the clothes you wear, it can feel like there are many decisions to make. Breastfeeding is good for you and your baby. It provides nutrition and immune protection that formula cannot provide. Breastfeeding helps with bonding, too! The youngest, growing members of our society are the most susceptible to the unintended consequences of modern diets. Mothers face an uphill battle to create a diet that will allow them to continue providing their children with nourishment. Here we have listed some superfoods for lactating mother to keep you going while pregnancy.
It is important for every mother to make an effort to include foods rich in nutrients. Nutrients like probiotics and omega-3s ensure her baby gets the best start possible. It’s important for a woman to maintain a healthy diet while breastfeeding. One way to do this is by including nutritious foods in your diet. These Superfoods for Lactating Mother will provide nutrients that breastfeeding mothers need but will also be beneficial for your baby. Some of these superfoods for lactating mothers include:
1- Dark Chocolate:
Lactating mothers often do not get enough calories to make up for the demands of breastfeeding. Dark chocolate is a great way to boost those calories without adding too many extra foods. Chocolate milk is a great beverage option for lactating mothers, but dark chocolate has many more benefits. Not only does it have more calcium, magnesium, and iron than milk chocolate, it also boosts the mood and helps with postpartum depression. Lactating mothers are encouraged to eat dark chocolate because the flavanols found in it help with milk supply.
A new study shows that women who eat dark chocolate while breastfeeding has a decrease in anxiety. While there is no need to panic, it is important that lactating mothers continue to closely monitor their mental health and breastfeeding in general. This recent study could help in the development of a new nutritional supplement for an increase in milk production.
2- Fruits:
Lactating mothers have a whole slew of other needs that they need to attend to, and one of those is fruits. The benefits of eating fruits to lactating mothers are plentiful. Fruits are a healthy snack for a lactating mother as they provide vitamin C, potassium, and other nutrients that help to regulate the immune system. Furthermore, because breastfeeding requires extra calories from caloric intake, fruits are also great for lactating mothers as they provide carbohydrates.
One benefit of eating fruits is that they contain vital nutrients needed by both mother and baby. A lactating mother is typically better off eating a diet that consists of more fruits and vegetables, as it gives the body the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients needed to produce breast milk. The pediatrician I spoke with recommended for my friend who was less than 2 weeks postpartum to “eat lots of dark green vegetables, orange fruits like oranges or tangerines, and yellow-orange vegetables like squash or carrots.
3- Wild Salomon:
Saloman fish have been a dietary staple for traditional African cultures for centuries. Now, modern research is exploring the benefits of this food on lactating mothers and their babies. Supporting a new mother’s diet with Saloman fish can help reduce the pain and frequency of breastfeeding, as well as increase the production of breast milk. Additional research suggests that eating Saloman fish also supports healthy brain development in children.
Many mothers notice a decrease in their milk supply after they finish breastfeeding. However, lactating mothers who eat Saloman fish every day may notice an increase in their milk supply by as much as 12oz per day. The benefit of this fish is that it provides an important fatty acid not found in many other foods. It’s also packed with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids which give the milk a fattier consistency and help promote the production of human breast milk.
4- Yogurt:
New research suggests that yogurt is healthy food for lactating mothers to consume. Scientists found that it helps promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut and improves the absorption of calcium and protein. Yogurt also has probiotic effects on a mother’s health, which provide benefits to her and her baby. For lactating mothers, eating yogurt may help improve their overall well-being and increase their energy levels while increasing their breastmilk production. It provides the necessary nutrients that are not readily available in breastmilk alone. Yogurt’s protein content aids in the growth and development of the infant’s brain and muscles while also providing an assortment of vitamins and minerals including calcium, biotin, vitamin B12, potassium, zinc, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, and folate. Here are some other Health Benefits of Yogurt you should consider reading.
5- Nuts:
Lactating mothers can get a nutritional boost from eating 1-2 cups of peanuts per day. This boost is especially helpful for women who are not receiving enough calories to meet their nutritional needs due to the demanding job of breastfeeding. Recent studies have found that eating at least 4 ounces of almonds a day can help lactating mothers produce more milk, but the real benefit may be in the way the almonds increase calcium absorption. The almond is a nut with many health benefits that also helps lactating mothers produce more milk. Almonds are rich in healthy fats and proteins that help their body stay energized. Lactating mothers can greatly benefit from eating nuts. Nutrients in nuts are said to help produce breastmilk, which may result in an increase in milk production per feeding. Additionally, nuts are a great source of protein, which is essential for breastfeeding moms.
6- Mushrooms:
The most important of all the superfoods for lactating mothers is mushrooms. Mushrooms have been used in traditional Chinese medicine to increase milk production, so what better way to promote lactation than to eat more of these delicious fungi! Mushrooms are also a good source of Vitamin D and selenium, which are important for normal infant development. Lactating mothers are known to have an increase in their breastmilk supply if they consume the hormone-balancing mushroom, Chaga. Found in the birch forests of Eastern Russia, this mushroom is high in polysaccharides, which are known to regulate mammary glands and promote milk production.
Mothers should take one teaspoon of dried Chaga powder two times a day with their meals. Mushrooms contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals that are essential for the development of a newborn baby. In particular, mushrooms provide more vitamin D than any other food source except fish liver oil. Vitamin D is crucial for the healthy growth and development of bones in infants.
7- Beans:
The benefits of beans for lactating mothers are undeniable. Beans such as kidney beans and lentils are high in iron and B vitamins, which increase the number of calories that a mother needs to consume. They also help reduce anemia, boost brain power, and promote better pregnancy outcomes. The fiber found in beans helps keep bowels regular and can be used for pica (craving items like ice or chalk). Beans are a great option for lactating mothers due to their high protein and fiber content. The fiber in beans helps with constipation, which is a common problem among nursing mothers. Protein is essential for building up muscle cells and DNA.
Furthermore, beans also provide calcium, which helps form strong bones and teeth for the growing baby. Chickpeas, black beans, and white beans such as cannellini and navy beans are all excellent types of beans to eat while breastfeeding because they include both protein and fiber.
8- Green Vegetables:
Lactating mothers can benefit well from eating their daily dose of green vegetables. With the increase in the number of studies on the effects of diet on milk composition, it is now known that green vegetables are an important source of folic acid which is crucial for healthy development in both breastfed and formula-fed infants. Green vegetables also provide beneficial fatty acids which are essential to support cognitive development in infants. It is important to eat a healthy, balanced diet when pregnant and breastfeeding. Studies have shown that there are many benefits to consuming certain vegetables while breastfeeding. Green vegetables are an excellent source of folic acid, which is beneficial for the development of the baby’s brain outside the womb. The leafy greens are also packed with calcium, iron, and vitamin C which are important for lactating mothers as well as their children.
9- Seeds:
As a lactating mother, you may be wondering if it’s worth taking the time to eat seeds like pumpkin seeds. The answer is yes! There are many benefits to eating these pumpkin seeds. One of the most important benefits is that the nutrients in the seed will help mom produce more milk for her baby. Pumpkin seeds also contain lots of protein which is an important nutrient for growing babies.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, there are many superfoods for lactating mother to incorporate into their diet to stay healthy. These foods are beneficial to the mother’s health and provide essential nutrients for the infant she is nursing. With the plethora of health benefits for mothers and infants, we can conclude that eating a healthy and balanced diet during lactation leads to healthier and more satisfied children and mothers. Furthermore, they are inexpensive so there is no excuse to not buy them! Some of those items include kale, spinach, strawberries, chickpeas, tomatoes, avocados, lentils, coconut oil, and gluten-free oats.
