Click here to go to Hea Amazon StoreFront

5 Lactation Boosting Indian Foods | Hea Boosters

Breastmilk is one of the best nourishments that your baby receives during the first six months of their lives. As a new mother you have to take care of yourself, breastfeed your little one as much as possible, and eat a well balanced diet to make sure you are healthy and happy. Breastfeeding benefits for both the mom and her little one. 

Most women have no trouble when it comes to producing enough breastmilk, however, there are situations when some of us are incapable of lactating or are just not making enough breastmilk to meet our baby’s needs. In the latter case the supply reduces rapidly if your baby is not fed properly.

Most new nursing moms often worry about whether they are producing enough milk to meet their child’s daily nourishment, but you don’t have to worry anymore. If you are a new mom and want information on how you can boost lactation, then keep on reading.

Reasons for lower milk production:

  • Too many prescribed drugs
  • Certain medical issues
  • Stress
  • Hormonal irregularity
  • Your baby is unable to latch properly
  • Inverted or flat nipples
  • Not taking care of yourself
  • Or you have started formula milk too soon

Indian foods that can improve breastmilk supply:

1. Methi Dana or Fenugreek:

As the modest Indian spice that is a part of your and every grandmother's gharelu nuskhe for various illnesses, 'methi dana' or Fenugreek seeds is a very popular choice when it comes to remedy for enhancing breast milk supply.

How to consume fenugreek?

Soak one small spoon of seeds in some water overnight and boil it the next morning for about 5 minutes. Let it cool down a little and drink. In most Indian households, new moms are fed with methi ladoos which are mixed with various other ingredients that are beneficial for your recovery.

2. Superfoods:

Superfoods consist of cumin seeds, saunf or also known as fennel seeds, garlic, cinnamon, and black sesame seeds that are excellent sources of galactagogues, which is a lactation enhancing hormone essential for mothers with low milk supply.

Fennel helps in digestion in both mother and child. Cinnamon is known to postpone periods, which aids in enhancing lactation. The black sesame seeds are rich in calcium.

How to use superfoods?

You can add a pinch of powdered cinnamon in warm milk or water with some honey and consume it twice a day.
Soak fennel seeds in boiling water for 30 minutes and drink it up twice a day or you can fennel seeds in your daily food.
Garlic can be eaten raw or added to your food. Eating 1-2 raw pods of garlic can help in increasing your breast milk supply

3. Drumsticks:

A regularly used ingredient in food cooked in South Indian cities, drumsticks are brimming with nutrition, which helps in enhancing breast milk supply in new moms. It stimulates the mammary glands and then helps in opening the veins of the breast, subsequently increasing breast milk production.

How to use drumsticks?

The most ideal approach is to add drumsticks to your daily food items or have soup made from drumsticks pulp.

4. Basil:

Basil or tulsi is a conventional spice that has been used by generations of women for enhancing the breast milk supply. This organic herb is loaded with iron, carotene, thiamine, and niacin. It is very useful for protecting both you and your baby from viral infections and diseases.

How to use basil?

Simply make tulsi tea and consume it twice every day after delivery.

5. Barley:

Grain or jau is an entire grain that is stacked with fiber, nutrients, minerals, and antioxidants, which help in improving breast milk production.

How to use Barley?

You can either make jau ki roti or boil some barley to make soup, these are some of the ways you can consume barley in your daily eating routine.

Different tips to boost breastmilk supply:


1. Unwind:

A free and rested brain allows the body to act and react well to circumstances and in this situation, a healthy lactation. Take some time out for self-care, stay away from stress since it could affect you negatively.

2. Drink lots of fluids:

As you are breastfeeding your baby regularly, you should keep yourself hydrated. Drink tons of fluids including water, milk, coconut water, and buttermilk as these will help you quench your thirst but also help in increasing breast milk.

3. Stay nourished:

Eating food that is rich in proteins, calcium, and healthy fats is a must for new moms or women in general. Eat tons of green vegetables, carrots, apricots, lentils, and asparagus to increase breast milk.

4. Warm compresses:

If you're not lactating enough due to pain in the nipples or breast, then you can try warm compressions. Just relax and unwind. Do this regularly. It is very useful for engorged breasts and if you are facing issues like cracked nipples then using some breast milk or desi ghee along with warm compression to heal quickly.

Conclusion:

We hope that all the above tips are useful. All we want to do is make this journey easy for you and other women who may be too scared to ask for help. If you know some other home solutions that can aid in increasing breast milk supply, then do write back to us!

Sources:

A Review of Herbal and Pharmaceutical Galactagogues for Breast-Feeding
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5158159/

Systematic Review of Breastfeeding and Herbs
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3523241/


Leave a comment