What can nursing mothers eat? How to properly organize a mother’s nutrition after childbirth

The long-awaited baby has been born - and soon the young mother faces a very pressing and very important question: what can she eat after giving birth, and what can she not? Diet restrictions during this period are directly related to the quality of breast milk that a woman feeds her baby. He may react to some foods with allergies in the form of rashes, to others with intestinal colic, and to others with nervous overexcitability, sleep disturbances and appetite disturbances. And the mother herself must make up for the lack of minerals and vitamins that were spent on the baby during pregnancy. Proper, balanced, literate nutrition will quickly restore her strength and will contribute to the full development of the child. There are several lists of permitted and prohibited foods in the first week and first two months after childbirth.

Still drinking water is all a woman can have on the first day after a caesarean section

First week

A woman’s diet in the first 3–5 days after childbirth will depend on how the process went overall. If there were any complications or difficulties, not everything can be started to eat immediately after the birth of the baby. These days you need to adhere to certain fairly strict dietary restrictions. And the young mother’s relatives should know about this so as not to bring products to the maternity hospital that will spoil lactation or affect the child’s condition.

If there are seams on the perineum

• You should not eat foods rich in fiber: brown bread, raw fruits, vegetables, bran;
• You can eat porridge (preferably with water), first courses, fermented milk products (in limited quantities).

This will ensure at least some temporary delay in stool, which means it will avoid the sutures coming apart, which will contribute to their speedy healing.

After caesarean section

• on the first day you can’t eat anything, you can only drink still water;
• on the second day it is already allowed to eat a little broth (low-fat), meat (in the form of puree), apples (preferably baked), porridge (with water).

To improve her condition after childbirth, a woman should adhere to these recommendations in order to regain strength as quickly as possible. If complications were avoided, after discharge from the maternity hospital, the young mother needs to be very attentive to her own diet at home, following the recommendations of doctors.

Vegetable stew can be present on the menu of a nursing mother already in the first month after childbirth

First month

The most serious test awaits a young mother in the first month after giving birth, because the restrictions - what can be eaten and what cannot - will be the most extensive. Along with this, her diet should be varied and balanced so that she can regain strength, normalize stool and establish lactation. In the first month after the birth of the baby, a young woman can safely eat foods such as:

• still mineral water;
• rosehip decoction;
• lightly brewed black tea;
• kefir;
• hard cheeses;
• mashed potatoes;
• porridge with water, excluding rice;
• beet salad if the child has normal tolerance to this product;
• vegetable stew;
• low-fat soup;
• boiled fish fillet;
• steamed or boiled meat: lean pork (tenderloins), beef, poultry (white meat);
• green baked apples;
• ripe banana (but only 1 piece per day).

At the same time, the young mother needs to try to avoid colic and allergies in the baby. And for this purpose, nutritionists and pediatricians recommend that in the first month after childbirth, all nursing mothers refrain from consuming foods such as:

• fruit juices;
• chocolate;
• coffee;
• milk;
• baking;
• bakery;
• spices;
• very salty;
• too spicy;
• a lot of fried food;
• canned food;
• smoked;
• red and black caviar;
• raw vegetables;
• Exotic fruits;
• tomatoes, cabbage, cucumbers, radishes in any form;
• some berries (mostly red, which are considered the strongest allergens): cherries, strawberries, cherries;
• alcohol.

If you adhere to these lists in the first month after childbirth, there will be no problems with recuperation, adequate feeding of the baby and lactation. Accordingly, the easier the second adaptation period will be from the point of view of the young mother’s diet.

A woman can enjoy a baked pear in the second month after the birth of her baby.

Second month

Since the baby’s stomach has adapted a little by this time, mommy can somewhat diversify her menu and eat much more foods than before. In the second month after birth, you can gradually include in your diet:

• egg;
• uzvars, dried fruit compotes;
• light, weak fruit drinks from cranberries and currants;
• milk sausage, beef sausages;
• dumplings, dumplings, pancakes, pancakes;
• cracker;
• jam;
• nuts (small amount, no more than a handful per day);
• lentil and soy dishes;
• butter;
• salted cucumbers;
• milk (no more than 2.5% fat);
• herring (in limited quantities);
• baked pear.

All other products from the prohibited list of the first month should be left for later introduction into your diet. Starting from the third month, it will be possible to gradually expand the horizons of what is permitted, but at the same time do not forget to observe the baby’s reaction to each new product. Several useful tips will help you organize a woman’s nutrition after childbirth competently.

After giving birth, you should never go on a diet; this can cause a lot of trouble for both you and the baby.

Compliance with the golden rules of nutrition for a young nursing mother will allow you to avoid many troubles (starting with the baby’s gastric upset and ending with the complete loss of strength of the woman herself, her physical and moral exhaustion). This will allow you to track the baby’s reaction to the mother’s diet, which is changing and constantly enriched with new products.

1. You can add no more than one product to the menu in 2 days.
2. This should be done only in the first half of the day, so that before bedtime you can track the baby’s reaction to the administered product.
3. Initial dosages of food should be minimal.
4. If a child becomes covered in a rash, becomes restless, or develops severe gas, the newly introduced product should be excluded from the diet for some time until the baby’s stomach recovers and becomes completely stronger.
5. There is no need to rely heavily on water in the first month after birth. The drinking regime during this period also requires restrictions: no more than 1 liter per day, otherwise lactation will increase disproportionately to the baby’s needs, and the matter may end in mastitis. If there is not enough milk, the amount of liquid you drink per day can be increased to 1.5–2 liters.
6. You should not go on a diet immediately after giving birth. You need to wait 3-6 months, otherwise your baby risks remaining hungry, which will certainly affect his further development.
7. A woman’s diet after the birth of a child should be natural, without nitrates, preservatives and artificial colors - in a word, healthy.
8. All products that a woman consumes in the first two months after childbirth must be thoroughly thermally processed.

If a woman’s nutrition after childbirth was organized correctly, in accordance with the above lists of products - what she can eat during this period and what is not recommended - then the value of the food she consumes should be at least 2,500 kcal per day. After all, 800 of them will be spent on milk production. If the caloric content of food is reduced, lactation will decrease, the mother will not have enough energy to support the baby, and serious problems will begin. Therefore, the question of what a woman can eat after giving birth is very important and requires special attention.

What can you eat during and immediately after childbirth?

During contractions, women often experience wild hunger, as the body expends enormous effort at this time. Therefore, expectant mothers are advised to take nutritious, high-calorie foods with them to the maternity hospital. It can be:

• muesli bars;
• nuts;
• dried fruits;
• natural chocolate;
• hematogen.

These foods can be consumed between contractions to give the body additional strength and energy. It is also worth taking a bottle of still mineral water to the birth room. It will replenish fluid loss in the body during labor and childbirth.

As for the postpartum period, it is better to consult a doctor about your diet. He will allow or not allow you to consume certain foods based on your specific case and condition.

If the birth was successful and without problems (there were no ruptures or complications), then, as a rule, the following are allowed:

• low-fat natural cheese;
• whole wheat bread;
• porridge;
• lean boiled meat.

The main thing is to adhere to the principle of “do no harm” and not immediately eat everything that your caring relatives bring you. However, in many maternity hospitals, nurses carefully check the contents of the bags before they reach the woman in labor.

Eating all spicy foods while breastfeeding is strictly prohibited!

List of prohibited products

There are a number of products that are strictly contraindicated for women after childbirth (and often the entire period of breastfeeding). These include:

• coffee and cocoa;
• alcohol;
• carbonated drinks and any drinks containing preservatives and colorings;
• onion and garlic;
• hot sauces (including ketchups) and spices;
• homemade pickles and marinades (pickles, sauerkraut, wild garlic, lecho, etc.);
• some fruits, namely grapes, strawberries, peaches, citrus fruits, pineapples and other allergens;
• nuts (with caution), legumes;
• mushrooms;
• some sweets (including chocolate);
• fresh bakery;
• radish and cabbage;
• fatty, salty, smoked foods.

All these products can negatively affect the quality of breast milk and also cause allergies in the baby. In the first month, it is better to abstain from using them altogether, and then adjust the menu in accordance with the doctor’s recommendations.

Nutrition after caesarean section

Nutrition after a cesarean section is not much different from the diet of ordinary women in labor, but there are still differences. Therefore, it is better to immediately find out what you can eat after giving birth through a cesarean section.

On the first day after surgery, the young mother is only allowed to drink. Moreover, either ordinary water without gases, or water flavored with a few drops of lemon juice.

The next day, the woman can eat, but the food should be liquid and neutral, that is, as safe as possible and gentle on the digestive system. This could be chicken broth, tea, lean meat.

Then, as you recover from the operation, the diet becomes the most common and completely repeats the menu of women who gave birth naturally.

Features of nutrition after childbirth

Despite the fact that after giving birth a woman, as a rule, is very hungry (and not only allowed foods), she must pull herself together and strictly follow the rules below.

1. In the first days after giving birth, eat small portions. On the recommendation of a doctor, you should give preference to liquid and puree foods.
2. Avoid raw foods (salted herring, red fish, caviar, sushi). All food must be carefully processed.
3. In the first week, it is better to give preference to water-based porridges and vegetable soups. Then you can gradually introduce meat and fish, and by the end of the first month - cottage cheese, cheesecakes, eggs.
4. Consume dairy products only in heat-treated form. It’s better to make cheesecakes or casserole from cottage cheese, and boil the milk. This is especially true for “live” milk “from a real cow”. By the way, if you want milk, then it is better to give preference to goat milk - it will not cause allergies in the baby.
5. Replace sweets with homemade dried fruit candies or jam.
6. Add no more than one new product to your diet per day.
7. To avoid deterioration of lactation, you need to consume at least 2500-2700 calories per day.

Has happiness appeared in your home? The tiny miracle needs you like no one else, and his little body needs your breast milk, especially during the first months of his life. In the article we will tell you what a nursing mother can eat so as not to harm the baby, and his stomach can adapt more easily, as well as how to improve the quality of lactation.

The importance of proper nutrition for a nursing mother

Newborns need nutrients and lactobacilli. Once born, it is difficult for a baby to immediately get used to a new way of life, including a different diet. The digestive system suffers especially during the first 3–6 months, because the baby’s stomach is sterile at birth.

The faster the body receives a sufficient amount of microelements, the faster the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract will improve. Mother's breast milk can help a newborn during this difficult period.

From the first day, receiving colostrum, the little man’s stomach begins to be enriched with the necessary bacteria.

Breast milk contains a unique composition that cannot be found in any artificial substitute.

It not only helps the digestive system get comfortable, but also has a number of positive properties:

• increases immunity;
• improves the functioning of the endocrine system;
• promotes mental and physical development.

At the same time, a natural product can harm the baby if the mother does not monitor her diet. Therefore, it is very important for breastfeeding women to eat properly.

The baby will receive the same food as the mother. In this regard, there are menu recommendations for nursing mothers.

By following them, you:

• reduce the risk of gastrointestinal diseases in your baby;
• accelerate the restoration of the newborn's intestinal microflora;
• reduce the period of occurrence of colic;
• improve your health and that of your baby;
• improve your child's metabolism.

Colic in a newborn is a very common phenomenon. They do not depend on the type of feeding (artificial or natural). However, thanks to breastfeeding, spasms bother the baby much less often and are eliminated faster than in those who have been fed dry formula since birth.

Many mothers know that pregnancy and breastfeeding “suck all the juices out of the body,” adding many health problems to existing ones if you do not approach the issue of nutrition correctly. Regular consumption of healthy foods is a guarantee of the quality and quantity of milk, the health of mother and baby, as well as strength, which you simply cannot do without during this difficult, energy-consuming period.

What foods on a nursing mother's table will be the healthiest?

1. Fish
   First of all, we are talking about salmon - the most invaluable product for a nursing mother. Why? Because it is in salmon that you will find that “set” of polyunsaturated fatty acids, on which the development of the baby’s nervous system and mother’s health and mood depend (these elements are an excellent means for preventing postpartum depression). To avoid an allergy to protein in the baby, the mother should eat salmon in measured quantities - a piece of 60-80 g is enough (maximum 350 g per week of any salmon). And of course, during the feeding period, eating salmon in salted and smoked form is excluded.
   
   
   What are the benefits of salmon:
   • No carbohydrates.
   • A large amount of protein (almost half of the product).
   • Restoring the balance of microelements/vitamins by consuming 70 g of salmon at least once a week.
2. Dairy
   During the feeding period, dairy products are extremely important for the mother as a source of protein, vitamins B and D, and calcium for the baby’s skeletal system. To replenish the body's resources for your own needs and the needs of the baby, you should consume kefirs, fermented baked milk, yoghurts, cheese (grainy and semi-hard) and cottage cheese, cheesecakes and condensed milk (sugar-free), cottage cheese casseroles, etc. daily.
   
   
   As for whole cow's milk, it is recommended to exclude it from the diet for a while in order to avoid allergies in the baby.
3. Lean meat and oil
   This product is one of the iron-containing foods necessary for mothers to replenish the deficiency of energy, vitamin B12 and protein. We are talking about boiled meat (or meatballs, meatballs, etc.) of the following varieties - white poultry, tongue, beef, rabbit, turkey.
   
   
   Meat should be included in the menu at least every other day (preferably daily).
   Don't forget about butter: the daily ration of this product is 15 g of sunflower and about 25 g of butter.
4. Nuts
   This product is also indispensable for mom. But only after careful checking for an allergic reaction and a little at a time (20 g per day, no more). The properties of nuts are different - each nut has its own. And some can even cause harm.
   
   
   Therefore, we remember:
   • Cedar
     The most useful for a nursing mother. Advantages: least allergenic, high nutritional index, easy digestibility, do not irritate the gastrointestinal tract, accelerate regeneration processes, help in the healing of mucous membranes, etc.
   • Walnuts
     These nuts increase the fat content/digestibility of milk due to their unsaturated omega-3 acids. The main thing is not to get carried away, in order to avoid colic and bloating in the baby. It is also worth remembering that walnuts are highly allergenic (start introducing them with caution).
   • Almond
     Thanks to antioxidants, it helps reduce fatigue and helps fight exhaustion.
   • Coconut
     Useful for improving the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, rich in fiber, protein and vitamins A, E.

   The most allergic nuts are hazelnuts and peanuts. It is better to refrain from using them during feeding.

5. Fruit drinks, fruits
   Everyone knows about the benefits of fruits and their drinks for nursing mothers. Experts recommend drinking berry/fruit drinks and fruits twice a day - an excellent source of vitamins for mother and baby (in total about 300 g of fruits/berries + 200-300 ml of drinks).
   
   
   The most useful will be:
   • Blueberries, sweet cherries, cherries, currants, gooseberries.
   • Cherries, plums (in compotes, decoctions, purees), pears (without peel, with caution), apples (without peel, baked), bananas (a source of potassium), peaches (“vitamins” for depression), apricots.
   • Juices and other drinks with pulp - canned and fresh. It is better to give preference to drinks intended for feeding babies.

   Tropical fruits should be excluded during feeding. As well as fruits of red and orange colors. The main rule when introducing a new fruit into the diet: 3 days to test, without mixing with other fruits. If there is no allergy, then you can use it.

6. Brown rice
   If there is a problem with excess weight gain (in mother or baby), it’s time to reduce the amount of carbohydrates in the diet. But it’s right to reduce it – while maintaining your activity and milk quality. Brown rice will help with this, as it will replenish the mother’s energy reserves and provide the body with the number of calories necessary to produce full-fledged, high-quality milk. Just replace your usual white rice with brown rice.
   
   
   Useful properties of the product:
   • Availability of necessary dietary fiber and gamma-oryzanol.
   • The presence of amino acids, rich chemical composition.
   • Helps with the appearance of edema (removes excess fluid).
   • Lack of gluten (gluten).
   • Astringent and enveloping effect.
   • Replenishing the deficiency of mineral salts.
   • Improved sleep, complexion, hair condition (with regular use).
   • Nutrition of the nervous system (B vitamins).
   • Removal of toxins, radionuclides and waste.

   And many, many other useful properties.

7. Eggs
   For the growth of a baby and the formation of its skeletal system, the most useful element is vitamin D. And egg yolk is a universal source of it. True, you will have to wait a little with chicken eggs - they are very powerful allergens (especially egg whites). But quail eggs will come in very handy in my mother’s diet.
   
   
   Beneficial features:
   • Lots of vitamins.
   • Easy to digest.
   • Prevention of many viral diseases.
   • Helps with the functioning of the heart and digestive system.
   • The presence of proteins, fats and folic acid to normalize the mother’s hormonal levels.

   Of course, you should not attack the eggs - start carefully (as with chicken eggs). For starters, no more than 1 egg per day. This product can be consumed raw, but during the feeding period it is recommended to eat them exclusively in boiled form.

8. Whole wheat bread
   Not only the expectant mother needs folic acid - the nursing mother needs it no less. And also for the crumbs - for the normal functioning of organs and systems. And whole grain bread, muesli and pasta made from coarse flour will help with this. These products are a source of folic acid, iron, fiber, vitamin B, etc.
   
   
   Whole grain bread will also help solve gastrointestinal problems, reduce hunger, and recharge with useful energy. The product is also useful for anemia, high cholesterol, and impaired functioning of the nervous system. A couple of slices of bread in the morning or at lunch is enough.
9. Green vegetables
   Much has been written about the properties of green vegetables, but for nursing mothers they will be especially useful - it is green vegetables (as well as herbs) that contain the “ammunition” of vitamins that a woman needs during the period of feeding her baby.
   
   
   Green vegetables are...
   • Vitamin A, calcium.
   • Iron, vitamin C.
   • Antioxidants.
   • Low calorie content.
   • Fiber, etc.

   The daily menu should contain at least 400 g of fresh or thermally processed vegetables. First of all, we pay attention to green salad and herbs, broccoli, zucchini and spinach.
   And, of course, don’t forget about pumpkin, carrots, beets, eggplants - they won’t be superfluous either.

10. Dried fruits
    This product is a “shock” spectrum of vitamins, coupled with carbohydrates, organic acids, fiber, etc. Dried fruits that are most beneficial for a nursing mother are dried apricots and prunes. It is recommended to consume about 100 g of dried fruits per day. True, not in the first 2 weeks of feeding - a little later, otherwise the baby’s tummy simply will not cope with so many microelements.
    
    
    It is best to use dried fruits in compotes, and in dry form - after the child is 3 months old. You should not eat dried fruits by the handful, mixing raisins, dried apricots and prunes. Start small and introduce one fruit at a time.

The list of prohibited foods when breastfeeding is quite long. Nutrition for breastfeeding women has strict restrictions, since any food eaten by the mother directly affects the well-being and condition of the baby - some are good, others are bad. So, which foods are prohibited and which are allowed when breastfeeding?

To make it easier for mothers to understand these food intricacies, we offer a kind of “food traffic light” - it will help you remember what a nursing mother can eat and is safe for a newborn, and what should not be eaten during lactation.

____________________________

· Red color is forbidden for mom!

This category contains liquids and products that are prohibited during breastfeeding, the consumption of which by the mother during breastfeeding can be dangerous for the baby. As a rule, it is recommended to exclude all allergens from the diet for breastfeeding women. In particular, a nursing mother can eat vegetables and fruits, but not orange or red. I think you've heard that food during breastfeeding should not contain tangerines, oranges, red apples, carrots and other “dangerous” foods. That is, all orange and red foods are prohibited when breastfeeding, due to their possible allergenicity. However, the baby may not be allergic to these products, but it’s definitely not worth checking before 6 months, and then with caution - one slice is unlikely to do any harm.

What breastfeeding foods should absolutely not contain is alcohol. Calming herself with the thought that one glass of red wine will not affect the baby in any way, the mother must be aware that any alcohol, without exception, is 100% absorbed into the baby’s blood along with breast milk!

The list of prohibited foods when breastfeeding includes fresh and canned spicy and spicy foods. Such as onions, garlic, hot peppers, wild garlic, mayonnaise, hot sauces and other concentrated, rich foods. They give the milk a spicy taste and can cause breast refusal, heartburn and other digestive problems for the baby.

Mustard, horseradish, black strong coffee (especially instant), dark chocolate containing more than 70% cocoa, blue cheeses and soft, so to speak “fresh” cheeses with various herb additives - a list of products that make milk bitter, and are not recommended for use in breastfeeding mothers.

Food during breastfeeding should not contain spicy herring, mussels, squid, octopus, especially in sauce. Mom should not eat cod caviar, pollock, especially those containing additives. In addition to possible allergies and a heavy load on the kidneys, they make the milk salty.

Foods prohibited when breastfeeding include fresh or canned tuna and shrimp. These products provoke allergic reactions.

· Yellow color - be careful, but possible!

There are a number of different foods that until recently pediatricians forbade nursing mothers to eat. Modern doctors have come to the opposite opinion. Eating these products is not only possible, but even necessary, but they should be introduced into the diet during breastfeeding carefully, gradually and in small quantities.

Eat a little and sometimes melon, beets, fresh kefir, beans, peas, vegetable oil. If there is an excess of them in the mother’s diet, this leads to bloating and upset bowel movements in the baby.

Pears, persimmons, pomegranates, rice, shortbread, fresh bread - a list of foods that can stick together when breastfeeding and, if in excess, cause constipation.

Cow's milk, grapefruits, oranges, black currants, red fish and caviar, eggs, semolina, corn and millet porridge are certainly healthy foods, but can cause allergic reactions in a child.

· Green color - as much as you like!

The list of foods marked with this “food traffic light” color can be eaten without hesitation or special restrictions while breastfeeding. It’s good for both you and the baby!

Dill, parsley - contribute to your baby's visual acuity.

Lettuce, gooseberries, black currants are foods that boost immunity.

Pumpkin, zucchini, perch, cod - contribute to the rapid development and growth of the baby.

Natural yogurt and cottage cheese are essential for the skeletal system and dental health.

Ryazhenka, kefir, ayran, oatmeal, cauliflower, broccoli - promote better digestion.

And of course, allowed foods during breastfeeding are:

1. natural meat (chicken, quail, rabbit, beef, veal);
2. porridge: oatmeal, buckwheat, rice, corn, barley, wheat);
3. lean soups;
4. cereals (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, corn, millet, wheat, pearl barley);
5. legumes and beans (from 6 months);
6. seafood;
7. fish (boiled or stewed);
8. vegetables (boiled, baked or stewed);
9. baked, boiled potatoes;
10. pasta in small quantities;
11. eggs (chicken is fine, but quail is better);
12. fermented milk products - fermented baked milk, kefir, cottage cheese - preferably homemade;
13. hard, mild cheeses;
14. gray bread, bread with bran, white bread - only dried or slightly stale, not freshly baked!
15. seasonal fruits;
16. nuts, excluding peanuts and pistachios;
17. greens and spices (parsley, dill - from birth; mint, savory, celery, basil, lemon balm, oregano, thyme, tarragon - from 3 months);
18. onions (in soups from birth, fresh - from 3 months), garlic - no earlier than 6 months;
19. honey (rich in calcium and vitamins) - introduced from 3 months, and pollen - starting from 6 months;
20. drink freshly squeezed juices, combining them to taste, but introduce them carefully, one at a time and starting no earlier than 3 months of age;
21. compotes and decoctions of dried fruits and rose hips without sugar;
22. make homemade compotes and fruit drinks (from blueberries, lingonberries, cherries, gooseberries) - from 1 month;
23. herbal tea (yarrow, chamomile, linden, horsetail, mint, lemon balm, eucalyptus, nettle, coltsfoot, elderberry, Bogorodskaya herb (thyme), string, calendula - one at a time or combining 2-3 types of herbs, no more), brew teas from branches of fruit trees;
24. green tea (without additives, loose leaf); weak black tea; teas for lactation;
25. distilled or spring water, table mineral waters.

· list of foods that can be eaten and which are prohibited while breastfeeding

Let's summarize. So, nutrition during breastfeeding can include everything you ate during pregnancy. By the way, this also applies to so-called generally allergenic products. The only exceptions can be considered cases of real allergies in a woman to certain foods or dishes. If the mother has an allergic reaction to food products, then the baby who is breastfed will most likely manifest it.

Of course, this rule only works if the measure is followed. That is, you can easily eat one peach, or 10 strawberries, if you really want to. A piece of chocolate will not do any harm if you are not allergic to it. To identify foods that really are not suitable for your baby, enter and track all your baby’s reactions to new foods. Introduce everything new gradually and step by step, making sure it is safe for the baby.

In the first months of life, in 90% of cases, various rashes appear on the skin of babies - some have less, some have more - as a rule, this is normal. Often, products that are suspected of being allergenic, when tested again after a couple of weeks, do not give any allergic reaction, including a rash. Most often, the reaction occurs to flavors and dyes in food products for breastfeeding mothers. Therefore, the most important thing is that the mother’s food is natural, the dishes are prepared independently, and consumed freshly prepared. And of course, everything should be in moderation!

You can also drink almost anything, it is advisable to be careful with new juices, and the most common drinking clean water should prevail in the diet.

Remember: before the introduction of complementary foods, that is, up to 6 months, the baby must try everything through mother’s milk!

· List of prohibited foods when breastfeeding:

1. highly allergenic food products are caviar, fish, seafood, mushrooms, eggs, nuts (except walnuts), honey, chocolate, cocoa, coffee;
2. vegetables, fruits and berries of orange and bright red color, as well as exotic pineapples, avocados, kiwis, and cucumbers;
3. marinades, broths, canned food, spicy and salty dishes, smoked fish and meat, spices;
4. products containing preservatives and dyes;
5. sauerkraut, radish, radish, fermented cheeses (Suluguni, feta cheese, Adyghe), sausages, ham;
6. legumes;
7. carbonated drinks, kvass;
8. alcohol.

· Breastfeeding: limited foods allowed

1. sour cream - only in dishes, whole milk - diluted and only in porridge;
2. pasta and bakery products made from premium flour, semolina;
3. sweets, confectionery;
4. sugar;
5. salt.

· Breastfeeding: permitted foods

1. fermented milk products (kefir, yoghurts without additives, bifikefir, bifidok, etc.);

2. cereals (buckwheat, rice, oatmeal, corn, etc.);

3. bread - rye, with bran, 2nd grade wheat;

4. fruits and vegetables (green, white);

5. meat - lean pork, beef, turkey fillet, stewed and boiled chicken, steam cutlets;

6. soups - vegetarian;

7. drinks - tea, fruit drinks, dried fruit compotes.

· Strong allergens for nursing mothers and newborns:

Milk. There is still a common misconception that a woman needs to specifically drink up to a liter of goat or cow milk per day in order to increase the nutritional value of breast milk. In fact, it increases the risk of your baby developing a lactose allergy. Whole milk contains more than 20 substances that can cause an allergic reaction. Milk proteins are particularly resistant to heat, which means that it should not be drunk in large quantities, even when boiled. In a one-time case, an allergy can manifest itself as skin rashes; with regular attacks by allergens, the baby may develop intolerance to milk and any dairy products, and even to mother’s breast milk, which is the worst thing. When breastfeeding, it is better to give preference to fermented milk products, and add milk to porridge, diluting it with water.

Egg whites. This product can be a serious allergen for your baby. This mainly applies to chicken eggs; less often, allergies are provoked by goose or duck eggs. Quails become irritants in extremely rare cases, almost never. It is recommended that a nursing mother eat only one hard-boiled egg per week.

Fresh meat. This product should not be included in a woman’s diet while breastfeeding. This is especially true for the “lower parts” of the carcass, as it contains the most dangerous substances. Buy fresh, fresh meat and place it in the freezer of your refrigerator - after freezing and further thawing, the concentration of allergens in the meat decreases.

Yana Lagidna, especially for the site

And a little more about what nutrition should be like during breastfeeding:

What can a nursing mother eat? Both her health and the health and development of the newborn depend on the mother’s nutrition during lactation. A nursing mother can and should eat a varied and nutritious diet: after pregnancy and childbirth, the body requires resources for recovery, and the process of lactation, the production of breast milk, directly depends on an adequate diet and volume of drinking. Most mothers who think about nutrition during breastfeeding evaluate their menu based on the baby's reaction. But such assessments are often quite subjective: the baby’s behavior does not always correlate with the mother’s menu. What can and should be included in your diet during lactation, and which products should be treated with caution?

Scientific basis for creating a diet for a nursing mother

Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for all children. It contains perfectly balanced microelements, nutrients, vitamins and minerals necessary for the child, as well as maternal antibodies that provide protection against various diseases.
The composition of breast milk directly depends on the mother's diet, as research confirms. Fluctuations in the concentration of fats, carbohydrates, vitamins and microelements in the chemical composition of this biological fluid are associated with their presence in the mother’s diet, as well as the penetration of alcohol, active ingredients of certain medications, and nicotine tar compounds into milk.

The diet of a nursing mother is primarily composed of those foods that need to be included in the diet. These are basic meals and liquids that provide healthy and nutritious nutrition. What you can eat and what you shouldn’t eat largely depends on the individual characteristics and reactions of the mother and child, as well as the rate of maturation of the gastrointestinal tract, immune and nervous systems of the newborn.

There are three basic categories of foods that you should avoid eating during breastfeeding. Depending on the composition of the product, they can negatively affect both the mother’s body and the well-being and health of the baby.

Common allergen-containing products

During the period of bearing and feeding a child, it is optimal to abstain from vegetables and fruits that do not grow within a radius of 300 km from the family’s main place of residence. This is due to the adaptive abilities of living organisms: familiar food does not cause rejection or allergic reactions, and the gastrointestinal tract functions as usual when it is consumed.

When exotic or out-of-season fruits, vegetables and berries appear in the diet, allergic reactions are possible both in the mother, due to the weakening of the body in the postpartum period, and in the child. Despite the fact that during intrauterine development children do not eat food and nutrients enter through the umbilical cord with the bloodstream in a split form, the fetus’s body adapts to basic microelements. When new products appear in the mother’s diet, the infant’s body may begin to react by producing histamines and gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Most often, the cause of allergic reactions when fruits, vegetables and berries are included in the mother’s diet is their “exotic nature”. For the same reason, allergies are possible when eating seafood if the family lives far from the sea. When consuming out-of-season fruits and berries, an allergy is possible due to the treatment of their surface with chemicals for transportation from remote regions or other countries.

Individual allergens

It is strictly forbidden to include allergenic foods in your diet, even if the mother’s reaction is mild or absent at the moment, but there is a history of identified allergies.
If an allergy is diagnosed, it is necessary to remember about cross-allergens; in this case, for example, in case of an allergic reaction to alder and birch pollen, allergenic products will include fruits of the nightshade family (tomatoes), mushrooms, as well as penicillin antibiotics.

The tendency to allergic reactions can be inherited, and the use of allergens can trigger the early manifestation of allergy episodes in a child.

It is necessary to abstain from any allergens during the feeding period. It is also worth remembering that there are a number of histamine-releasing products that, while not allergens, sensitize the body and increase its sensitivity. Products that should be avoided if you have a nutritional allergy include chocolate, cocoa, eggs, fish, some types of berries, nuts, seafood, and industrially prepared canned foods. A high sensitizing potential is also observed in cheeses, fatty meats, liver, and kidneys.

Prohibited foods for nursing mothers

The vast majority of products, provided the mother and child are healthy, can be included in the diet: the body’s reaction largely depends on the amount of food of a given type eaten. In the first days after childbirth, the mother’s body recovers, and internal organs re-displace in the peritoneal area due to a decrease in the volume of the uterus. Against the background of changes in localization, temporary changes in the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract are possible, and therefore, during the postpartum period, dietary nutrition is indicated: soups, cereals, soft, easily digestible foods that do not cause gas formation, constipation or dyspepsia.

After restoring the functions of the gastrointestinal tract in the diet, it is necessary to avoid or significantly limit foods that contribute to hyperstimulation of the nervous system (coffee, cocoa, chocolate, strong tea, energy drinks, cola), do not eat food with preservatives, chemical additives, fatty, spicy, salty foods, smoked meats, carbonated drinks.

Despite the common “lactation recipes”, in which nursing mothers are advised to eat plenty of tea with condensed milk, milk and rolls with butter, such a diet does not improve the quality of breast milk and does not increase its quantity, but can lead to dysfunction of the liver, endocrine system, diseases of the pancreas, difficulties with defecation, the formation of excess body weight in the mother and allergic reactions in the child.

Another harmful myth is the beneficial effect of beer on lactation. Thanks to repeated studies, it has been established that any types of beer and other alcoholic beverages do not have a positive effect on milk production, and if consumed in excess, they contribute to a reduction in lactation. A possible primary outcome is the relaxation of the body in some mothers under the influence of a small dose of alcohol. However, a similar effect, which improves lactation in all women, is easier to achieve with a warm bath and self-massage of the breast. The composition of beer and beer drinks, including non-alcoholic ones, does not meet the requirements of a healthy diet and is replete with preservatives, taste improvers, flavorings, etc.

What can a nursing mother eat after giving birth?

Regarding the various gifts of nature and their benefits for a nursing mother, there are several opinions and factors influencing their occurrence:

Not all statements about the effect of fruits and vegetables consumed by the mother on the child are true. Most often, the individual reaction of the child’s body or a combination of several factors is recorded.

Thus, increased gas formation, a process that occurs in almost all people when consuming legumes, cabbage, and foods rich in coarse fiber, can also affect the condition of the baby during breastfeeding, so it is recommended to avoid including them in the diet in the first months. In the future, when carefully introducing such products into the menu, it is recommended to monitor the child’s condition; if necessary, dill, cumin, and anise should be added to the dish, which facilitate the easy removal of gases from the intestines.

Allergies in a child when the mother eats red fruits and berries can be cumulative, so it is worth limiting their consumption if the mother has allergic reactions to this type of fruit or the child develops rashes and redness after including cherries, strawberries, etc. in the diet. However, in the absence of negative reactions, do not completely abandon sources of vitamins. Red apples can be peeled before eating.
Local seasonal fruits are preferable to imported ones due to less processing for storage during transportation, as well as a reduction in the possibility of using chemicals that accelerate the ripening of fruits and berries.

Many children do not respond to changes in the taste of milk under the influence of phytoncides. Changes in a child’s appetite may also be associated with well-being, teething, an abundance of psycho-emotional stress (new impressions), a new stage of development, and not with the taste of breast milk changed under the influence of foods.

The effect of cucumbers, bananas, apples on the condition of a child’s stool is considered an unconfirmed factor. Liquefaction and a greenish tint to the stool are most often associated with a lack of hindmilk, rich in protein and fats, in the baby’s diet, which occurs when feeding time is limited, frequent breast changes during feeding, and additional pumping after the baby is latched. With such feeding tactics, the baby receives more primary milk, which is saturated with carbohydrates, which leads to diluted stools and insufficient nutrient intake. The same symptoms of gastrointestinal dysfunction may indicate an allergy to milk chalk contained in cow's milk and dairy products, or gluten intolerance. To determine the cause of the reaction, the potential allergen is excluded from the mother's diet for seven days. If the child’s condition changes positively, the diagnosis is confirmed by tests.

What vegetables and fruits can a nursing mother of a newborn eat? In the absence of negative reactions from the organisms of the mother and child, bananas, pears, apples are recommended (in some cases, with increased sensitivity, blocks and pears can be baked or boiled in compote). As for vegetables, you can immediately include potatoes (boiled, stewed, baked), carrots, zucchini, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, processed (stewed, boiled) cabbage, and beets in small quantities into your diet. In the first two to three months, it is recommended to eat green vegetables raw, and eat yellow, orange, and red ones after heat treatment (boiling, steaming, stewing).

Carbohydrates in the diet of a nursing mother

Excess carbohydrates also provoke gas formation and intestinal colic in infants. The presence in the mother's diet of foods rich in simple, quickly processed carbohydrates is harmful to both herself and the baby.

To reduce the likelihood of colic, it is necessary to limit foods rich in glucose and other sugars in the diet: grapes, melon, homemade and factory-made sweets, confectionery, chocolate, sweets, baked goods, sweet curd spreads, glazed cheeses, cereals and drinks with a lot of sugar, especially carbonated ones. Fermented milk products that are beneficial for nursing mothers also need to be assessed from the point of view of the amount of sugar in the composition: yogurt-like products, sweet drinks based on kefir (“Snowball”, etc.), various “curd” products contain much more sugar than healthy protein and vitamins.

What can you eat “for sweets” instead of sweets and pastries? It is recommended to replace sweets with dried fruits (prunes, dried apricots in small quantities), dry cookies, natural marshmallows, marmalade, preserves, jams.

What vegetables and fruits can a nursing mother eat in the first month?

In the first month after the birth of the child, the mother should adhere to a diet, even if there is no family history of allergic reactions and the gastrointestinal tract functions normally. During the first time after delivery, the body is restored, therefore, even in the absence of lactation, it is necessary to follow the principles of general dietary nutrition: limit or completely eliminate fatty, spicy, salty foods, an abundance of carbohydrates, spices, preservatives.
What and how much can a nursing mother drink after the baby is born? In the first few days after birth, lactation, the process of milk secretion, is established. Despite the loss of fluid by the body during the process of delivery, you should not immediately switch to the drinking regimen recommended for nursing. During the period of secretion of colostrum, a clear yellowish liquid, the total volume of drink, including first courses and juicy fruits and vegetables, should not exceed 1-1.5 liters per day, otherwise, at the beginning of lactation, lactostasis is likely to develop due to excess production of breast milk .

After lactation is established, the amount of fluid should exceed the daily norm by 1 liter: it is the volume of drinking that primarily affects the volume of breast milk produced.

What can you drink while breastfeeding? It is recommended to include weak broths and soups based on them, teas with low caffeine content, fruit and berry drinks, fruit drinks, compotes, fermented milk products (kefir, fermented baked milk, curdled milk, natural yoghurts, whey and juice mixtures) in the total volume of daily fluid.

Is milk ok for a nursing mother? Cow's milk protein is one of the most common allergens. In the first months of a child's life, a lactating mother is not recommended to consume whole cow's milk due to a possible allergic reaction in the child. What can replace milk? For porridges and milk soups, it is preferable to use a mixture of milk and water in a 1:1 ratio or replace cow's milk with goat's milk. It is also not recommended to introduce whole cow's milk into the diet of a grown-up baby until the age of 1-1.5 years.
In the first weeks after childbirth, a nursing mother’s menu includes products such as:

Is it possible for a nursing mother to follow such a diet throughout the entire lactation period? Such dietary nutrition is possible subject to compliance with caloric intake standards and a variety of dishes and their components. You should not limit yourself to one or two products - most often this leads to exhaustion of the mother’s body and a decrease in the volume of breast milk, as well as a lack of nutrients for the baby. Gradually, the diet should include white fish, various vegetables, fruits, other types of meat, and cereals - this helps the mother replenish the body’s reserves, and the child to adapt to new types of foods and prepare for the period of starting complementary feeding and independent feeding.
In the period following the newborn, it is necessary to expand the diet, gradually adding familiar foods (no more than 1 per day) in a small volume and observing the child’s reaction. Subject to the principles of a healthy diet, most children quickly adapt to their mother’s diet and do not experience problems with the intestines or allergens in the body when the mother eats new foods.

What can you eat during lactation?

Is it possible for a nursing mother to increase the volume of milk if there is insufficient milk production by adjusting her menu? First of all, if there is a lack of milk, it is necessary to determine how objectively this condition is assessed: if the child is gradually gaining weight, urinates 7-10 times a day, but often requires breastfeeding, then, most often, the problem is not insufficient production of breast milk.

During the growth and development of infants, there may be periods when the child does not gain weight, but this is not related to the quantity or quality of nutrition. The main indicators of milk sufficiency are the frequency of urination per day and the general health and well-being of the child.

What can be done if a nursing mother really has little milk? If there is a confirmed lack of milk, first of all you need to pay attention to your drinking regime and the composition of products: during the day you need to drink at least 2.5-3 liters of liquid (weak tea, herbal teas, compotes, juices, fruit drinks, fermented milk drinks). The diet should have a balance of fats, proteins and carbohydrates.

Do special juices for mothers help lactation? Industrially produced juices with added vitamins and calcium are not the best choice when alternatives are available. Homemade compotes from fresh or dried fruits, freshly squeezed juices and fermented milk products contain more vitamins and fewer additives than store-bought ones. The use of juices “for mothers” does not affect the lactation process if the mother receives enough nutrition and fluid.

Can teas be used for lactation? These teas contain medicinal plants that are natural stimulants of milk production by the mammary glands (anise seeds, fennel seeds, caraway seeds, nettle leaves, lemon balm). Consuming them in accordance with the recommended daily intake, provided proper nutrition, can actually increase the amount of breast milk. Anise, fennel and cumin are also carminative plants that alleviate the condition of both mother and child with increased gas formation.