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During breastfeeding, cranberries can provide a nursing mother with a whole group of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. But nursing mothers usually doubt whether cranberries can be consumed if the baby is breastfed. It is believed that those substances that the mother consumes with food pass through the milk to the child. It is considered absolutely true.
Not all the chemical composition of foods eaten by a woman will reach the child, but the baby will also receive some of these substances. In the first months of breastfeeding, milk is the only source of all vitamins and minerals.
Can I have cranberries while breastfeeding?
Doubts raised by the consumption of cranberries while breastfeeding are based on the content of a very large amount of ascorbic acid in the product. This substance may cause an allergic reaction in children. But, in addition to ascorbic acid, the berry contains a whole complex of vitamins, minerals and amino acids necessary for the body. Especially if a significant part of all these substances is “pulled out” by milk.
“Lost” nutrients need to be replenished.If the baby does not have diathesis after the mother consumed oranges, strawberries, dogwoods and other foods high in ascorbic acid, cranberries are not only possible but also necessary during breastfeeding. But it is best to drink it as a different type of drink:
- fruit drink;
- decoction;
- infusion.
In addition to nutrients, the amount of fluid you receive is also important when breastfeeding.
Vitamin composition
The main attention is paid to the content of organic acids, pectins, sugars and vitamins in berries. The sour taste of berries is given by citric acid, which occupies the main share of the total amount of other acidic compounds. Berries also contain other acids:
- ursolic;
- benzoin;
- chlorogenic;
- cinchona;
- oleic;
- apple;
- α-ketoglutaric;
- γ-hydroxy-α-ketobutyric;
- amber;
- sorrel;
In addition to acids, cranberries contain half of the B vitamins and vitamin K.
Vitamin K is responsible in the body for blood clotting, calcium absorption, and the interaction of calcium with cholecalciferol (D₃). Participates in the synthesis of certain proteins. Its deficiency causes heavy bleeding with minor injuries. In terms of the amount of vitamin K, cranberries are not inferior to strawberries and cabbage.
The berry contains B vitamins:
- B₁;
- B₂;
- V₃, aka RR;
- B₅;
- B₆.
This group is responsible for a whole complex of vital body systems:
- central nervous system;
- gastrointestinal tract;
- cardiovascular system;
- reproductive system.
With a lack of B₂, the functioning of the entire body is disrupted, since it is also responsible for the functioning of the endocrine glands.
Among the macroelements, berries contain:
- potassium in significant quantities;
- calcium;
- phosphorus;
- magnesium.
Potassium affects the functioning of the heart, strengthening the heart muscle.
Microelements:
- iron;
- manganese;
- zinc;
- copper;
- chromium;
- molybdenum.
The iron content in berries, which prevents the development of anemia, is quite high.
Sugars in cranberries include fructose, glucose and sucrose. Pectin is a polysaccharide.
The effect of cranberries on lactation
When breastfeeding, the baby should receive enough milk so that he does not need additional nutrition. You can increase milk production by drinking more fluids than during the non-lactation period. Milk contains the most water. Theoretically, an increase in milk production will occur even if you drink only clean water. But the milk in this case will be “liquid”, without a sufficient amount of nutrients. It is much better to increase milk production with vitamin and mineral cocktails. Cranberry drinks work well for this purpose.
Cranberry itself, in the form of a berry, can neither increase nor decrease milk production. It can only supply the body with the necessary nutrients. But cranberry juice or decoction will provide a woman during breastfeeding not only with nutrients, but also with a sufficient amount of liquid. In addition, fruit juice is delicious and you can drink it even when you don’t feel like drinking. Such consumption of additional liquid in the form of berry drinks will significantly increase milk production and will not make the milk “empty”.
How to make fruit juice
Morse is juice diluted with water. In the case of cranberries, preparing the drink is similar to preparing an infusion and differs only in the concentration of the final product. To prepare fruit juice you need 2 cups of berries and 1 cup of water.The berries are kneaded and poured with hot, but not boiling water. Leave for about 15 minutes. After this, the resulting fruit drink is filtered and the pulp is squeezed out. Add sugar or honey to taste. If the concentration is too high, the fruit drink is additionally diluted with water.
When can cranberries be introduced into the breastfeeding diet?
If a woman consumed cranberries during pregnancy, this process can be continued while breastfeeding. It is necessary to monitor the baby for an allergic reaction, but he will also give it to other similar products.
If this berry was not previously in the diet, it should be introduced gradually, like all new products. When breastfeeding, the baby receives some of the nutrients, and not all that was eaten by the mother. Therefore, it makes no sense to start eating cranberries with 1-2 berries. You can limit yourself to half a glass of fruit drink for the first time.
Contraindications to the consumption of berries and products made from them relate to general diseases. These diseases have nothing to do with breastfeeding or a person's gender. If a mother has problems with the gastrointestinal tract, cranberries are contraindicated for her, regardless of whether the child is breastfed or has already grown up.
Cranberry juice or berries should not be consumed if you have the following diseases:
- heartburn;
- stomach ulcer;
- duodenal ulcer;
- gastritis;
- increased acidity;
- liver diseases.
Problems after drinking fruit juice will not be with the child, but with his mother.
Is it possible to have cranberry juice while breastfeeding?
If a mother can eat berries even from the first day after giving birth, then there are no restrictions for fruit drinks. If we are talking about a baby who is fed breast milk, then the data on when he can be given cranberry juice varies.This does not depend on objective indicators, but on what feeding system the mother adheres to.
Some believe that a child should be fed breast milk until 1.5–3 years of age. Naturally, at this time the baby does not have enough milk and eats other foods, including drinking cranberry juice. For young infants, fruit juice is introduced into the diet similarly to other juices and at the same time. Start with a small amount of drink diluted with water.
Conclusion
Cranberries during breastfeeding are a good substitute for southern citrus fruits. Since essential oils often cause allergies when consuming citrus fruits, cranberries will help fill the lack of nutrients when feeding a baby with breast milk without consequences for the baby.
