17 Foods To Avoid While Breastfeeding – Eating a special diet to increase the supply of breast milk can be beneficial for breastfeeding mothers. Since breast milk is the only source of nutrition for newborns, it is important to make sure your body is producing enough.
Low milk production is rare, but it can be caused by a number of medical conditions and can affect your baby’s weight gain. In such cases, the baby’s nutritional needs are met by supplements such as baby formula. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 19.4% of breastfed infants receive commercial infant formula in the first 48 hours after birth.
17 Foods To Avoid While Breastfeeding

However, if breastfeeding mothers experience a low milk supply for no apparent reason, following a special diet can help increase the milk supply.
Best Foods To Increase Breast Milk Supply
Levels of milk or colostrum may decrease during the first few days due to factors such as C-section stress or postpartum hemorrhage. But the amount you withdraw will still be enough for your child. Your milk supply may increase for about three to five days, depending on how long you breastfeed (1).
The graph shows the value of breast milk production after birth from the first to the eighth day. Milk production was low on the first and second day, but increased from day 3 (2).
Sources: Boss, Melinda & Gardner, Hazel & Hartmann, Peter. (2018). Breastfeeding normally in humans: cutting gaps. Lactogenic foods that increase the supply of breast milk
Some foods are known for their ability to increase breast milk production due to the nutritional form or natural chemical properties that stimulate the production of breast milk. These include leafy vegetables, whole grains, flaxseed, almonds, pumpkin, fennel and protein-rich foods.
Best Foods To Increase Breast Milk Supply
These foods in the postpartum diet can improve the production of breast milk, stimulate milk production and provide adequate nutrition for breastfeeding mothers. You can consult a breastfeeding counselor who can help you choose foods that complement your breast milk, as well as suggest ways to improve your milk supply.
Oatmeal is a whole grain food with a wide range of nutritional forms because it contains carbohydrates, fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals. It could be a healthy meal or breakfast for a nursing mother. In addition, it is believed to be one of the foods that increase the milk supply by increasing the levels of the hormone oxytocin (3). You can use oatmeal to make a variety of foods such as cookies, cakes, breads and oatmeal.
Barley is a grain rich in nutrients and fiber that can increase the nutritional value of a breastfeeding diet. It can also increase breast milk production by increasing serum prolactin levels (4). Lightly sliced beans can be added to dishes such as soups, stews and porridge. Using barley flour to make barley cakes, cookies or pancakes is another way to add barley to a nutritious diet.

This fruit belongs to the almond family and provides many nutrients and biological nutrients that contribute to health. It is believed to increase the levels of the hormone prolactin to increase breast milk production (5) (6). You can add fresh or dried vegetables to cereal porridge and desserts to harvest it. Avoid using canned fruit with syrup because it is high in sugar.
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Carrots are a rich source of fiber, which can add color and essential nutrients to your nutritious diet. You can eat raw carrots in salads and sandwiches or cook them in other dishes. Eating carrots regularly will provide you with nutrients and also increase the availability of breast milk. Phytoestrogens in carrots may be responsible for the lactogenic effects of carrots (7) (8).
Fenugreek leaves and seeds are a well-known galactagogue commonly used in postpartum foods in various cultures (9). The plant can improve milk availability and has many medicinal and nutritional properties that provide health benefits over a period of time (10). You can add fenugreek seeds to soups and curries. It is important to know that fenugreek is a powerful plant that can sometimes cause inflammation and abdominal pain. It can also interfere with medication, so check with your doctor before eating with a woman.
Breastfeeding mothers who are taking anticoagulants or diabetics should seek medical advice before using the mother for lactogenic purposes (48).
Garlic is known as a medicine (11). In some cultures, garlic is commonly used because of its galactagogue effect (12). You can add garlic to your diet to add flavor and health benefits. However, they can alter the taste of breast milk and cause colic in infants. So watch out for changes in your breastfeeding pattern and behavior after using garlic.
The Truth About Food Pouches
Alfalfa belongs to the legume family and contains estrogen isoflavonoids (13). Uncertain evidence suggests that alpha can increase access to breast milk. You can add alpha sprouts to salads and soups to make it a part of your breastfeeding diet. You can also try alpha or organic alpha as a herbal supplement after consulting your healthcare provider.
The use of fennel during breastfeeding is often associated with reported lactogenic effects (14). Plants contain phytoestrogens that can increase the availability of milk. The study also highlighted its health benefits, such as improved digestion (15). You can drink fennel juice, fennel tea or add fennel powder to soups, stews, curries and porridges.
Breastfeeding mothers are more likely to consume cumin seeds because they can increase breast milk production (16). Cumin juice can be eaten or used as a spice in various preparations.

Green leafy vegetables are a good source of micronutrients, fiber, and biologically active compounds that can improve postpartum healing and maternal nutrition (17) (18). In addition, they contain phytoestrogens that can increase the availability of breast milk. You can add some green leafy vegetables like spinach, kale and cabbage to your diet and enjoy its benefits.
Good To Avoid While Breastfeeding
Despite the bitterness, the health benefits and medicinal properties of bitter herbs are innumerable (19). Anarchic evidence suggests that bitter fruits can increase the supply of breast milk. You can eat noodles and roasted peppers to get the benefits.
Salmon is a low-mercury fish rich in high-quality protein, vitamin D, B12 and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for both mother and baby (20). Studies show that regular consumption of salmon can increase breast milk production and boost milk production (21).
The Moringa tree, also known as the Moringa tree, is widely used in parts of Asia and Africa. Moringa leaves and stems are rich in micronutrients such as calcium and iron. Breastfeeding mothers need these nutrients for healing and postpartum health. In addition, drumming can increase breast milk by stimulating the mammary glands (22) (23). You can add drums to your breastfeeding diet by adding nuts or leaves to soups and curries of your choice.
After ingestion, oleifera leaves take at least 24 hours to improve breast milk production by increasing prolactin levels (49).
Trying To Conceive
St. John’s wort is a plant whose flowers, stems and leaves are used medicinally. It is used in many cultures compared to products with galactagogic properties (24). You can use only holy thistle or capsules to increase your breast milk supply after consulting a specialist or lactation consultant. Children.
Soybeans are rich in high quality protein, trace elements and biologically active compounds (25). The phytoestrogens it contains are thought to provide lactogenic benefits. You can add soy to things like soups and stews and soups like hummus.
Tofu is a soy product rich in protein and essential micronutrients that can promote maternal health. Evidence suggests that tofu can improve breast milk production due to its phytoestrogen content. You can add tofu to many dishes such as soups, salads and curries (26).
Holy basil is an aromatic herb that serves a variety of nutritional and medicinal purposes (27). The use of basil to increase breast milk production is common in some cultures. You can add a small amount of basil to your diet or make it into a cup of warm milk.
Milk Faqs For Babies & Toddlers
Sesame seeds are rich in protein, calcium, fiber and other essential nutrients. Its phytochemicals, such as quercetin and sesamin, can increase prolactin secretion and improve breast milk production (28). You can drink sesame tea with hot water or add it to foods like salads, breads, pastas, sandwiches and homemade snacks.
Sweet almonds can stimulate the production of breast milk due to its potential estrogen activity (5). In the afternoon, you can eat almonds in small amounts, add them to foods such as almond flour or almond butter, or drink almond milk. Almonds provide essential nutrients such as protein, calcium and healthy fats.
Flax seeds are rich in alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) and other essential micronutrients that mothers and babies need for growth and development (29) (30). In addition, flax seeds contain phytoestrogens that can increase breast milk production. You can eat flaxseed soaked in hot water, add flaxseed to soups and stews, or make a salad with flaxseed oil to harvest it.
Fresh ginger is widely known for its health and medicinal benefits. It can also increase breast milk production (31). You can add pieces of fresh ginger or fruit juice to food and drink. If you want to take ginger supplements, consult your breastfeeding counselor or doctor first.
Nutritious Foods To Include In Your Third Trimester Diet
Brewer’s yeast, also known as the yeast of the baker, is a nutrient rich in vitamins and minerals (32). It’s a fungus and
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