31 Indian foods to increase breast milk for moms
Breast milk is something that cannot be compared to other supplement or food. Breastmilk is highly nutritious and the prime food needed for baby’s proper growth and development. Many women suffer with the problem of inadequate breastmilk. We bring to you 31 Indian foods to increase breast milk.
These food items are healthy and helps to increase the breast milk supply. Though, not the only way to do so. One prime thing to increase milk supply is to keep nursing your baby. Your baby can help you in the most appropriate way to increase the supply, rather than any other method. You have to nurse frequently to help out the problem.
Talking about the food, some herbs and galactagogues are responsible for the quality and supply of milk. For that you may include these foods in your diet.
Indian Food To Increase Breastmilk
- Oatmeal
- Salmon
- Spinach and beet leaves
- Carrots
- Fennel seeds
- Fenugreek seeds
- Garlic
- Basil leaves
- Barley
- Unripe Papaya
- Chickpea
- Asparagus
- Brown rice
- Cumin seeds
- Sesame seeds
- Dill leaves
- Drumstick
- Poppy seeds
- Apricots
- Water and juices
- Sweet potato
- Bottle gourd
- Nuts
- Brewer’s yeast
- Alfafa
- Dandelion
- Tea
- Pulses
- Ginger
- Cow’s milk
- Lactation cookies
Increasing breast milk naturally
- Nurse regularly
- Eat adequately
- Feed only breastmilk to baby
- Stay fit while breastfeeding
How to Increase Breast milk by Indian Food
1. Oatmeal
Oats have a lot of benefits with them. Apart from easy and quick to prepare, it helps keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight in check and supports immune system as well. Oats are rich in calcium and fibre and thus helps increase the milk supply. It also prevents occurrence of diabetes during post pregnancy. You can have a bowl full of oatmeal for breakfast or can also go for oat cookies.
2. Salmon
Salmon is rich in omega-3 and essential fatty acids required by the body as they are highly nutritious and vital for breastfeeding mothers. It helps boost lactation hormones by making the milk more nutritious and healthy. It simply improve mother’s health so that she can produce the hormones necessary for milk production You can go for the boiled, steamed or the grilled one for your meal.
3. Spinach and beet leaves
These contain high amount of calcium, iron, vitamin K, vitamin A and folic acid. Iron is required by the anaemic mothers. It also helps to make the baby stronger. It contains some plant chemicals which prevent breast cancer. You can take the leaves and make soup or can make a paratha for a meal. Remember to eat spinach carefully and in some alterations as too much of it can cause diarrhoea in your baby.
4. Carrots
Carrots are rich in beta-carotene and vitamin A which are needed by the lactating mothers. Like spinach, it does help a lot for increasing lactation. It provides with energy and improves the quality and supply of milk. Having a glass of carrot juice with lunch or breakfast will work amazingly for lactation. You can directly snack on it or can even make a soup of it. In winters, you can go for blended carrots stirred with warm milk and sugar as it soothes the body.
5. Fennel seeds
Fennel is a rich source of vitamin C. It boosts the quality as well as supply of your breastmilk. Apart from this, it also aids in digestion and settles an upset belly. It also helps control colic under babies. You can have it along with seasonings or can add it in your tea or milk. It can also be used as a mouth refresher, just pop a few seeds into your mouth after the meal.
6. Fenugreek seeds
Fenugreek is a great source of iron, protein and vitamin C. It enhances the milk’s quality and also increases the milk supply within a few days of consuming the fenugreek herb. But if you are prone to asthma or allergies, you have to be careful with it. You can toss in the seeds with flavouring and seasoning or have it along with some rice.
7. Garlic
Garlic is considered as the most popular food to boost lactation in nursing mothers. It has been known since ages for its various medicinal and lactogenic properties. Consuming garlic prevents all types of cancer.
When mothers took a garlic supplement before nursing; babies took more milk and that too more frequently. You can add it in the vegetable of your choice or you can sauté a handful of garlic cloves in ghee and complement it with steamed rice.
Read Also — Diet for breastfeeding mothers to increase milk supply
8. Basil leaves
Basil is rich in vitamin K and is a great source of antioxidants which gives a calming effect to a person which is required while lactating. It helps to improve the bowel movements and maintains a healthy appetite. It even boosts the immunity levels in your baby. Along with many benefits, it will increase your milk supply as well. You can add a few sprigs in your tea or can boil them in hot water and have it the first thing in the morning regularly.
9. Barley
The food not only boosts lactation but also keeps the person hydrated. You can go for homemade barley solution by boiling barley in some water and have the solution throughout the day or toss in the barley with other vegetables.
10. Unripe papaya
Unripe Papaya to increase milk supply
Unripe papayas are a part of South Asian cuisine. It is a traditional galactagogue over there. It has a natural sedative which helps you to relax and feed baby better. You can go for green papaya salad or toss it with flat noodles.
11. Chickpea
Chickpea, the food rich in calcium, fibre and B-complex vitamins is considered as a protein snack and the lactation booster for nursing mothers. You can soak chickpeas overnight, boil them in the morning and have some with vegetable salad or directly snack on some boiled and mashed chickpea with some garlic and lemon juice.
To read the complete list of 31 foods to increase breast milk, click here.
Originally published at www.babygogo.in on June 13, 2016.
