Can garlic be breastfed? Features and Recommendations

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

The birth of a child changes the life of any woman. In the first months of life, a baby needs mother's milk, which nourishes and fills it with important vitamins and microelements. Throughout the lactation period, a woman carefully monitors her diet. Inevitably, a lot of questions and doubts arise. So, for example, can garlic be breastfed? The issue requires detailed consideration, which will allow the young mother to get rid of additional experiences.

Useful properties of garlic

Garlic is known to everyone for its spicy taste and rather pungent smell. Since childhood, we have been hearing about the benefits of this product, about its need in the diet, but we do not always think about why garlic is so important.

Before exploring the main he alth benefits of garlic, it is important to mention that one clove contains about 7 vitamins, not to mention trace elements.

What effect does the plant have on the human body:

1. Garlic helps to normalize digestion,even after serious hormonal changes or surgery. Moderate consumption of this product will have a beneficial effect.
2. Serves as a preventive measure for the development of fungus in the body (including the Candida family).
3. Vitamin C, which is part of garlic, helps to increase immunity, activate the body's defenses. This property is widely known, which makes the plant indispensable in the cool season.
4. Beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system. Regular addition of garlic to food helps to thin the blood, strengthen blood vessels, remove cholesterol from the body and stabilize blood pressure.
5. The plant has been proven to prevent the development of cancer cells, especially in the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas and even female mammary glands.

Perhaps, these are the most significant he alth properties of garlic. Having studied them, the question of whether the beneficial properties of garlic are preserved during breastfeeding becomes even more relevant. Are there restrictions that are important to consider during lactation?

Garlic and breastfeeding

It is important to remember that garlic has a bright taste, it is one of the spices that add spice and piquancy to food. For this reason, experts recommend not to abuse this product during lactation, while introducing it into the diet no earlier than 5-6 months after the birth of the baby. Is it possible or not garlic while breastfeeding? You can, but subject to restrictions.

Doctors and he alth professionalsbreastfeeding will always come to the aid of a young mother, provide support and put in place all her questions. In matters of breastfeeding, everything depends on the individual characteristics of the body of the mother and baby.

The benefits of garlic during lactation

If a young mother is inclined to believe that she needs garlic, it would be right to consider its effect on the body in even more detail. Is it possible to have garlic with HB, the doctor and the woman herself are able to determine, if this spice did not take root in the diet before the birth of the child, then there is no point in experimenting. If it is difficult to imagine a standard diet without garlic, then you should not infringe on yourself.

The benefits of garlic for a nursing mother and her baby:

1. Bone tissue is strengthened due to the large number of macro- and microelements in garlic.
2. Improves memory, blood circulation, skin and muscle condition.
3. Cholesterol and hemoglobin levels return to normal.
4. Digestion normalizes.
5. Increases overall immunity, improves the functioning of the endocrine system.

These properties are useful not only for the mother, but also for the growing body of the baby. At the same time, the calorie content of this product is so small that you can not think about it at all. Having determined whether garlic is possible during breastfeeding, the main thing is not to overdo it and not go to extremes.

Harm of garlic while breastfeeding

On the importance of he alth during lactationmentioned above. Now it is worth mentioning the contraindications that are possible when eating garlic:

1. Gastrointestinal ulcer is a severe restriction.
2. Liver disease.
3. Individual intolerance (allergy).

If none of the above applies to a young mother, then the harm of garlic can only manifest itself in its abuse. Everything is good in moderation. Is it possible for a nursing mother to have garlic in a dry (granular) form? Doctors recommend to refrain, the concentration of such spices is higher and can cause additional irritation of the baby's mucosa. Raw garlic is also recommended in minimal amounts. It is best to choose a spice that has undergone heat treatment (garlic is added to broths or dishes baked and steamed).

Optimal approach

In order to follow all precautions and get the maximum benefit from garlic, it is best to consult a doctor. Much depends not only on the he alth of the mother, but also on the condition of the baby. If the child is sensitive to the mother's diet, then it is best to refrain from eating spices (at least up to six months).

If the baby grows strong and does not show specific reactions, then from 4-5 months you can try to introduce a little garlic into the diet.

Specialists remind that in the first months of life a child develops taste buds, their own food preferences are determined. In such a period, it is better notexperiment with spicy additives that have a pronounced taste. Is it possible to breastfeed garlic now it is clear, but in what quantities and how to introduce it into the diet?

How much garlic is good for?

Doctors and experts on breastfeeding recommend introducing garlic into the diet gradually, carefully observing the reaction of the baby to a specific product for him. Garlic for breastfeeding, is it possible for a nursing mother to eat it, in what quantities - all this is determined individually, each case may have its own characteristics.

It is believed that 1-1, 5 cloves of garlic is the optimal daily amount for a young mother. This does not mean that a woman should eat a clove every day. Which dish to add seasoning to is determined based on personal preferences. The main thing is not to abuse the product, eat it no more than 2-3 times a week.

Before you happily eat a fragrant and spicy dish, you need to try to eat a third of a clove and watch the baby for a couple of days. The reaction of the child will tell if garlic is possible for a young mother when breastfeeding. With a positive result, the amount of spice is increased gradually, allowing the baby to fully adapt to the new product.

Changes in the taste and quantity of breast milk

Modern medicine has proven that garlic can add bitterness to breast milk, but only under certain conditions. If a woman eats it in huge quantities, or, roughly speaking, does not eat anything but garlic.

WoIn all other cases, the taste of milk does not change, the baby does not feel the difference. Is it possible to breastfeed garlic and onions is discussed by almost every young mother. This is due to the pungent smell and taste of products, but you should not be afraid. If there are no individual contraindications, then the benefits will be invaluable.

The taste of milk is more likely to change due to the mood of a new mother, severe stress or frustration than from eating a spicy product.

Eating garlic does not affect the quality and quantity of breast milk. The volume of lactation in women does not depend on the amount of spice in the dish.

Does the age of the baby matter?

Newborn baby requires constant attention, his body is just beginning to adapt to the conditions of life outside the womb. During this period, it is important to respect the restrictions. As mentioned above, it is best to wait about six months and then accustom your baby to your favorite savory foods.

Can garlic be breastfed and is the baby's age important? During lactation, it is important to consider many things. Excessive vigilance cannot be considered a disadvantage. Attentive attitude to the child will tell the young mother whether he likes new foods in the diet of a woman.

Common myths

While researching an issue on your own, you can often stumble upon unimaginable stories. It is important to separate the truth and myths about garlic while breastfeeding.

Main nonsense:

1. Mandatory occurrence of colic and allergies in the baby. It is a myth. Moderate consumption of the product will not lead to colic, this process has nothing to do with eating garlic.
2. Bitter milk. It was already mentioned above that the taste can change if mom does not eat anything other than garlic. The taste of milk is influenced by a huge number of factors, garlic will not be the main pest in this matter.
3. Smell of milk. The question is purely individual, but garlic is more likely to affect the freshness of breath. It has been proven that if a woman ate garlic during pregnancy, then the taste and smell will already be familiar to the child.

The main thing that a woman should remember during breastfeeding is a vigilant attitude towards herself and her baby. Do not abuse any product, it is important to observe the measure.

For moms who are prone to overweight, you need to consider that garlic whets the appetite and can provoke unwanted overeating, which will affect the figure.