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There are different opinions about whether a nursing mother can eat tangerines, and they are all contradictory. Many women refuse this healthy fruit during lactation, for fear of harming the baby’s health, while others recommend introducing it into the diet as soon as possible after childbirth in order to compensate for the lack of vitamins and minerals. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the advisability of consuming citrus during breastfeeding, and how safe it is for the baby.
Tangerines are a source of vigor and energy
Composition and benefits of tangerine
This citrus is characterized by a rich chemical composition. It contains large quantities of ascorbic acid and potassium. These components normalize the functioning of the heart muscle, increase resistance to viruses and bacterial infections.
Tangerines also include:
- vitamins D, K, E and group B;
- essential oils;
- organic acids;
- phytoncides;
- complex of minerals;
- flavonoids;
- fiber.
Moderate consumption of fruit when a woman is breastfeeding has a beneficial effect not only on individual organs and systems, but also on the entire body as a whole.
The main beneficial properties of this citrus:
- improves mood;
- normalizes the functioning of the nervous system, sleep;
- helps fight postpartum depression;
- has a beneficial effect on bone tissue;
- promotes the process of hematopoiesis;
- improves digestion;
- strengthens the immune system;
- stimulates brain activity;
- removes excess fluid and toxins from the body.
Is it possible to eat tangerines while breastfeeding?
Lactation is not a reason to stop eating fruit. After all, pregnancy and childbirth take a lot of energy from a woman, and it is necessary to replenish the wasted resources. Therefore, in winter, when the season of mass ripening of tangerines begins, this citrus can be gradually introduced into the diet, especially if the expectant mother also consumed it during gestation, and both parents are not allergic to this product. However, it is worth figuring out when you can include it in the diet of a nursing woman.
Tangerines should not be overused, as in this case they are harmful to health.
In the first month
At the initial stage of a baby’s development, his digestive system is just adapting to new conditions. Therefore, in the first month of a child’s life, it is not recommended to introduce tangerines into the diet of a nursing mother, since during this period the baby’s intestines are populated by microbiota that produce gases. This causes fermentation, bloating and pain.
In the second month
In the second month of a baby’s life, his digestive organs are still unable to function fully, and the immune system is not yet fully formed.And the introduction of tangerines into the menu of a nursing mother during this period is undesirable, as it can lead to negative health consequences.
In the third month
At the end of the third month, the baby's stool becomes less frequent and its consistency becomes thicker. This indicates that the adaptation of the child’s digestive system is already nearing completion. He is not so bothered by gases, and his sleep is normalized. However, you should still refrain from introducing tangerines into the diet of a nursing woman.
At 4, 5, 6 months
By this age, the baby is already quite strong, and his body’s need for vitamins and minerals increases. Therefore, from the fourth month of a baby’s life, a nursing mother can gradually include fruits, including tangerines, in the menu.
It is recommended to start with 1-2 slices of citrus. At the same time, it is important not to eat other unusual foods in order to track the reaction of the child’s body. In the absence of signs of allergy, which can be expressed by skin rash, redness, changes in behavior, diarrhea, runny nose, you can gradually increase the rate of consumption of the product.
The recommended maximum dosage for a nursing woman is 1-2 ripe tangerines eaten in several doses. Citrus should be consumed no more than twice a week in the morning.
What varieties of tangerine are best to eat during breastfeeding?
A nursing woman can eat tangerines during their mass ripening period, which guarantees the maximum amount of beneficial components in the fruit.It is recommended to give preference to sweet varieties that are unable to greatly change the taste of breast milk.
Recommended varieties for nursing mothers:
- Abkhazian tangerines. They have a bright, rich taste. They are characterized by their small size and absence of seeds. Their skins are not shiny because they are not rubbed with paraffin before shipping.
Abkhazian citrus fruits appear on shelves at the end of November
- Chinese tangerines. They are the same in size as the previous ones, but have thinner partitions and are sweeter in taste. Sold with twigs and green leaves. The pulp is separated from the peel with a slight movement of the hand.
Chinese fruits have greenish barrels
- Israeli tangerines. The fruits are large, sweet, pale orange in color. But cleaning them is quite difficult.
Israeli fruit goes on sale in December
- Spanish tangerines. They are distinguished by a rounded flattened shape. The taste is sweet with a slight sourness. The pulp is juicy and easily separates from the peel.
Spanish tangerines contain seeds, but in small quantities
How to choose the right tangerines
A nursing woman can only eat ripe fresh fruits. Therefore, when purchasing, you must carefully examine their appearance. There should be no signs of rot or suspicious dark spots on the skin of the fruit. Also unacceptable are traces of mold, which can not only spoil the taste, but also be potentially hazardous to health. It is recommended to choose tangerines without dents or soft areas.
When choosing citrus fruits, a nursing mother should take into account that juicy sweet fruits are much heavier than unripe sour fruits.
Contraindications
Despite the benefits of tangerines during breastfeeding, not all women can consume them.In order not to involuntarily harm the health of yourself and your baby, it is necessary to take into account existing contraindications.
Among them:
- acute form of pancreatitis;
- ulcer;
- gastritis with high acidity;
- nephritis;
- hepatitis;
- acute intestinal lesions;
- individual intolerance.
Conclusion
From all this, the conclusion suggests itself is that tangerines can be eaten by a nursing mother. But caution and restraint are the key to the fact that these fruits will benefit the child’s health. Therefore, you should not start introducing them into the menu immediately after giving birth, since the baby’s digestive system is not yet able to function fully. It is better to wait until the intestinal microflora normalizes.
