It is believed that some food can increase the breast milk production. But these food also may not be effective if the body lack or have some hormonal imbalance, also when the body is having some disease for which you are taking some antibiotics.
Although there is no scientific research to prove that the following foods help increase breastmilk, they have been served for generations to lactating mums and many mothers feel that these foods helped them. Anyways excess of anything is harmful to health it is always advised to consume all the food in moderation and only as part of a balanced diet. These are all natural food that are believed to increase the breast milk supply, the first one is
Fenugreek seeds (methi)
Methi seeds have been used for generations around the world to increase breastmilk supply. Fenugreek seeds are a source of healthy vitamins that are good for lactating mums such as omega-3 fats. Omega-3 fats are important for your baby’s brain development. Fenugreek leaves are rich in beta carotene, B vitamins, iron and calcium. The tea is not that delicious, but at many places it is seen that the fenugreek tea (methi ki chai) is a popular drink given to new mothers. Fenugreek (Methi) can also be added to many dishes, especially vegetables, and meat dishes and its leaf can be used while making paranthas, pooris or stuffed rotis.
Method of preparation:
Fenugreek tea : for making the tea take 1 tablespoon of fenugreek and crush it slightly, then to a pan add 1 cup of water let it boil, when it starts boiling add the crushed fenugreek into it. Let it simmer for 5 min strain it and add some sweetener of your choice and have it .
Fenugreek seed can be added in almost all vegetables.
Fenugreek paratha: fenugreek leaf can be used to make stuffed paratha/poori. Take some fenugreek leaf, wash it and cook it in low flame for 15 min while the colour change. Allow it to cool and while kneeding the dough add it along with and kneed into a soft dough. And make small ball out of it to make poori and similarly make Paratha.
Fenugreek is a member of the same plant family as peanuts (moongphali), chickpeas (chhola) and soyabeans. If you are allergic to any of these foods, you may also react to fenugreek.
Fennel Seeds (saunf)
Fennel seeds are another traditional remedy for increasing milk supply. They are also given to new mums to help prevent gas and colic in their baby. The logic is that since fennel seeds are used by adults to ease tummy upsets and aid digestion, the benefits of fennel can be passed to a baby through the breastmilk. There is no research to back either of these beliefs but many mums feel that fennel seeds have helped them or their baby.
After 6 months the baby can also have fennel water, as it is adviced only exclusive breast feed for first 6 months. Take a cup of water add 1 teaspoon of fenugreek bring it to boil. Let it cool for some time. The baby can have it after the normal pudding or porridge in order to get rid of any stomach upset.
Cow ghee: Ghee is added to almost every item , from laddu to panjiri, roti and sometimes to hot milk. It good source of calcium, khane wala gondh along with ghee is considered good for the lactating mother as it relieves the joint pain by lubricating the joint and reduces back ache. The essential nutrients are helpful to the baby through the breast milk.
Green leafy vegetables are an excellent source of minerals such as iron, calcium and folate, and vitamins such as betacarotene (a form of vitamin A) and riboflavin. They are also believed to enhance lactation.
Breastfeeding women are recommended to eat green leafy vegetables daily. Again they can be consumed as paratha or poori, or can be cooked nicely by adding some ghee.
Oats: Oats are also traditionally believed to ease anxiety and depression.
Dates are rich in iron whereas oats contain significant amount of dietary fibre. When both are combined with substantial quantity of ghee, the snack is packed with essential nutrients and it help increase the volume of blood. Dates , Oats and ghee are used to make gluten free laddu. Oats are commonly eaten as porridge and some nuts, milk, spices or fruits are added to it to improve the nutritional value.
Sesame seeds (til) Sesame seeds are a non-dairy source of calcium. Calcium is an important nutrient for breastfeeding mums. It is important for your baby’s development as well as your own health. Perhaps this is why it’s an age-old ingredient in breastfeeding mums’ diets. It can be consumed after slightly roasting in ghee and adding some jaggery into it. It can be consumed in the form of laddu or gajak. Add sesame seed while making roti or poori along with the dough.
Dry ginger: The powder is extracted from ginger root which is dried. It is off white or slightly brownish powder with a nice aroma. This is put in a special food called panjiri which is prepared during the early days of delivery . along with dry ginger nuts , wheat flour, ghee, melon seeds ( char magaj) is also added to make and is consumed as a snack every day.
Brown rice: Brown rice is a rich source of fibre and is boiled with fenugreek seed along with some ghee and dry ginger , and is a special food given during initial days after delivery.
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