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The lactation period is very difficult, since a woman must adhere to proper nutrition while breastfeeding, avoiding foods that can cause allergies, bloating and stomach upset. Fresh vegetables and fruits should be consumed with extreme caution. But when it’s August, melons and melons, which fill almost all retail outlets, become a temptation. Read more about whether a nursing mother can eat melon and how to use it correctly so as not to harm the baby.
Is it possible to eat melon while breastfeeding?
Melon is not only very tasty and aromatic, but also beneficial for the female body, because it contains many micronutrients. But there is a lot of controversy regarding its use during lactation.
Most pediatricians do not recommend adding it to the diet in the first month after birth, since the newborn still has a weak digestive system that can only digest light foods.
Others are confident that if you follow a diet, you can still eat melon when feeding, but in small quantities and with the right choice of fruit.
The benefits of melon for a nursing mother
If we talk about the benefits of a large sweet fruit, then it certainly has a positive effect on the human body, since it contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements.
This melon fruit is a source of carbohydrates, and its rich-sweet taste indicates the presence of organic sugars. Glucose is very useful for a woman, especially after childbirth, as it has a positive effect on the emotional state, allowing you to cope with postpartum stress.
Melon also contains useful acids, in particular folic acid. And a lot of fiber. The positive thing about its use is that all the microelements and vitamins contained in its composition will certainly end up in breast milk.
The pulp of the fetus consists of almost 90% liquid, which contributes to the flow of milk. It also has a mild diuretic effect, allowing you to get rid of swelling.
During lactation, all the most essential microelements for the female body pass into milk, which has a detrimental effect on the mother’s appearance. And the presence of beta-carotene in the fruit helps improve the condition of hair, nails and complexion, maintaining a beautiful appearance.
What are the benefits of melon for babies?
Melon during breastfeeding can also have a positive effect on the baby’s condition if you follow the rules for its use.
Adding fetus to the diet of a nursing mother increases the production of the hormone serotonin in the blood. It not only improves the mother’s mood, but also, when included in milk, has a beneficial effect on the child’s mood.
The fiber contained in the composition improves digestion for mother and baby, but it is necessary to dose the consumption of melon, as it can cause loose stools in the child.
Saturation of milk with vitamin C helps strengthen the child’s immunity, and iron and potassium have a beneficial effect on blood formation, increasing hemoglobin and strengthening the cardiovascular system.
How to choose melon for a nursing mother
The main rule for eating melon is that it is healthy and does not cause harm while feeding the baby. Unfortunately, today there are many unscrupulous manufacturers who are trying to increase their profits by improving the taste and external qualities with the help of chemical nitrates. Using this method, grown melon can seriously harm not only the mother, but also the child, causing indigestion or, even worse, causing poisoning.
It is strictly not recommended to purchase melons with cracks, dents, damage, or cut in half. Since on cracks and cuts in the fetus, pathogenic microbes begin to spread very quickly, which, if they enter the body, can cause an infectious disease.
A nursing mother can only eat a fully ripe melon, so when choosing a fruit, you should definitely check it for ripeness:
- The ripe fruit has a pronounced melon aroma;
- the peel should be elastic when pressed;
- when tapped, the sound should be dull;
- the stalk must be dry (naturally dried).
And most importantly, you should purchase melons only in special fruit and vegetable departments.
How to introduce melon into the diet of a nursing mother
Women who give birth in early summer can, if desired, introduce melon into their diet during breastfeeding, but this should be done while observing a number of rules:
- You should use melon with extreme caution if your child is under 3 months old. Most pediatricians are completely against the use of this product up to 3 months, since it is during this period that the process of establishing the baby’s digestive system occurs.
- If it was decided to introduce melon into the diet, then this must be done gradually, observing the baby’s reaction to the new product. You should start with a small piece, and if you react well to the new food, you can gradually increase the amount. Thus, when breastfeeding, a nursing mother can consume up to 200-250 g per day no more than 3 times a week.
- It is under no circumstances recommended to consume melon with other foods. The most ideal option is to eat it as an independent dish during the period between main meals (between lunch and dinner). So, until the evening you can observe the child’s reaction. You should not drink melon with water, as this will slow down the process of its absorption.
- You should avoid eating melon before bed or immediately after eating. Indeed, during this period, the process of digesting this product will be complicated.
In what cases should you abstain?
Since melon itself is a product that can be consumed in moderation during feeding, there are cases when it is contraindicated:
- with gastritis, peptic ulcer or colitis in the mother;
- for diabetes mellitus;
- when diathesis and an allergic reaction occurs in a newborn;
- for bloating, colic and indigestion in a child;
- if the nursing mother is overweight.
If a child or mother has signs of poisoning or an upset stomach, under no circumstances should you eat melon, as it can further worsen the condition and cause vomiting and diarrhea.
Conclusion
A nursing mother can eat melon, but with extreme caution. And only if the lactation period coincides with the period of ripening of these fruits. Before adding this product to your diet, be sure to consult your pediatrician or nutritionist to avoid harmful effects.
