New-mom? These foods can help you with breastfeeding

Taking care of a newborn is not an easy task, especially if you are a new mommy. How to take care of your child and nurture them is the most important question a new mother has to deal with. It requires a lot of care and concentration while nursing a newborn and one of the first nurturing acts as a new mother will likely be feeding your baby.

Breast milk is the only source of nutrition for the baby until the time he/she starts to eat. With the growth of the baby, the requirement of breast milk increases. As a result, a lot of mothers often fear that their milk is not enough for the child and are looking for ways to increase breast milk to meet their baby’s need.

Eating healthy food is the only way to maintain a healthy supply of breast milk. Including all the essential nutrients in your diet will not only help you in breastfeeding, but will also help with post-pregnancy complications.

So here is a list of food items that you can include in your diet if you are a new mother.

Oatmeal is a good source for building and maintaining breast milk. Rich in fiber, it works really well for the digestive system. Moreover, oatmeal is considered good for controlling diabetes after the birth of the baby.

Carrot juice works like magic in lactation. Carrot is a good source of beta-carotene, which is essential while you are lactating. It is also packed with carbohydrate and potassium and will help you to shed those extra weight post pregnancy.

Nuts are among the healthiest foods you can have. Rich in various nutrients, nuts will help your supply. Have a handful of nuts every day. Cashews, almonds and walnuts are the preferred choices post pregnancy.

Green or unripe papaya works as a natural sedative, which will relax you. Unripe papaya is rich in galactagogue and is considered one of the best fruits to increase breast milk. You can add it to your salad.

Fennel seeds not only increase the milk supply but also reduce gas. You can soak a teaspoon of fennel seeds in water overnight and drink the water in the morning.

Fenugreek seeds have been used since long to increase breast milk production. The seeds are packed with omega-3 fats and are very helpful in the development of the baby's brain. You can either chew the sprouted seeds or can mix it in your salad.

Garlic not only adds flavour to the food but also helps to boost breast milk. Consuming garlic on a daily basis will boost your immune system, prevent heart diseases and growth of cancer cells.

Due to the presence of minerals, vitamins and protein, lentils are food for a new mother. Add lentils to your diet post pregnancy to increase breast milk production. You can even sprout them.