Breast Milk is best for a baby’s overall growth and for developing immunity, the quality of milk depends upon the kind of diet the mother takes. A mother can face many issues related to the flow of the milk and it being well nourished for the baby. Therefore, Dr. Rajyalakshmi Madhavam, MD Ayurveda, Professor at AMD Ayurvedic Medical College, Hyderabad mentions some of the food items that can be very helpful in proper lactation.
“During pregnancy, to start with, Ayurveda recommends a diet packed with milk, ghee, and butter. These dietary recommendations help in nourishing the Rasa Dhatu, which is responsible for the lactation. Post-partum, a well-balanced diet is to be taken by the mother. Here are some foods that can be included in the daily diet”.
- Water
Drink plenty of water throughout the day, instead of drinking in a large amount at once. You can also consider the intake of lukewarm and cooled water. - Coconut water
Coconut water or even coconut milk can help in increasing breast milk. It is loaded with nutrients and hydrates well. - Milk
Milk itself is loaded with benefits and especially rich in calcium. Therefore, milk can be consumed by lactating mothers - Wheat
Wheat products like Dalia increase the quantity of breast milk. You can also consider taking oatmeal. - Spices
Spices like Black pepper, Cumin, Cinnamon, Carom seeds, etc. are some of the spices that can be added to everyday cooking. You may avoid red chili powder or even green chilies. - Ginger
Ginger not only boosts immunity but also contains antifungal and antibacterial properties. It can be added to the daily cooking.
- Garlic
Garlic is very commonly used in every kitchen. It boosts immunity, supports digestion, and is a natural herb that increases the supply of breast milk. - Fenugreek seeds
These are rich in the omega-3 fatty acids, important for the development of the baby’s brain. It can be used as a spice in daily food cooking or you can take some fenugreek seeds with water. - Fennel seeds
It enhances the production of breast milk and is also helpful in the digestion process. You can have them as it is or you can take 100ml milk mixed with ½ spoon of fennel seed powder and consume it.
- Fruits
Fruits grown in India and not the ones that are imported can be consumed. All the seasonal fruits are recommended especially Pomegranate. Pomegranate purifies the blood and increases the production of breast milk in the mother. - Sesame
Sesame seeds are rich in calcium, which is responsible for bone health. Therefore, it’s consumption can positively impact the bone health of both the mother and the baby. - Nuts
All the nuts like cashew, almond, walnut, etc can be consumed. You can also soak almonds overnight, grind them, and add it to the milk for consumption.
Apart from these dietary recommendations, A mother can also take Shatavari Lehyam once in a day. (Recommended Dosage: 1tbs or 10-15gms).
Dr. Rajyalakshmi also suggests what needs to be avoided:
- Too spicy food
- Pungent food
- Hot foods
- Bread
- Burgers/ pizzas
- Alcohol
- Smoking
- Tobacco
- Coffee/caffeine products
“Restrict all stimulants as they hamper the production of breast milk. Also, there should be no mental stress and mother should live in a healthy and happy environment”. A healthy mother will nurture a healthy child. And so, it is important to take care of your diet as well as lifestyle, during both, pregnancy and post-delivery.
