Is it possible to have black currants while breastfeeding?

Features of using currants during breastfeeding

Currants are allowed for a nursing mother, but they need to be eaten in limited quantities. The berry contains a lot of vitamin C, which potentially causes allergies. Whether the fetus will provoke a negative reaction in the baby in the form of spots on the skin depends on the amount of currants eaten by the mother and the individual “response” of the baby’s body.

To avoid allergies, caution is required when consuming the product during lactation. You need to introduce currants into your diet starting with 5-6 berries. During this period, eliminate other potential allergens. After eating the fruits, observe the reaction of the child’s body for 1-2 days. If everything is ok, gradually increase the dosage.

Attention! Try currants during lactation 2-3 months after birth.

If after the berries eaten by the mother, the baby “sprinkled”, stop the “experiment” and return to currants in a month. During this time, the baby will grow up, the body will strengthen, and the reaction to the fruits will become positive.

The benefits and harms of currants

Currants are a source of vitamin C and much more. It is used for preparing fruit drinks, compotes, and desserts. They can also be consumed in their pure form.

It is noteworthy that currants belong to the Gooseberry family. It grows in Europe and Asia, but in domestic areas only red, black and white grow.

The most valuable currants are that:

1. It helps strengthen the immune system.
2. Helps eliminate nausea.
3. Minimizes pain.
4. Improves digestion.
5. Regenerates cells, which is especially valuable after a cesarean section.
6. Improves lactation.

The inclusion of currants in the diet for a young mother while breastfeeding will contribute to:

1. Strengthening the immunity of both mother and child.
2. Thanks to the beneficial properties of carotene, a woman who consumes currants every day suffers less from irritation, anxiety, and the lactation crisis is eliminated.

Important!
It is noteworthy that it is during lactation that a woman is most vulnerable both physiologically and psychoemotionally.

1. The calcium contained in the composition helps restore the nail plate and hair quality.
2. Currants improve the functioning of the cardiac system and eliminate myocardial disorder syndrome.
3. B vitamins help improve the metabolic process.
4. Currants help eliminate toxins and waste and have laxative properties.
5. Has a natural anti-inflammatory effect.

Not only currant berries are useful, but also the leaves, which are brewed as tea or made into a decoction.

Red, black or white currants: which one to choose during lactation?

There are currants in 3 colors: white, red and black. There are no fundamental differences between them. The difference lies only in the ratio of some chemical elements.

Red Ribes

Like black currants, red currants contain ascorbic acid. It is a strong antioxidant that strengthens the immune system. The berry restores the body after childbirth, so it is useful during lactation.

The fruit contains a coloring pigment and iron, necessary for hematopoiesis. Berries are useful for low hemoglobin and iron deficiency anemia. They protect against colds.

Red currants are rich in iodine and folic acid. These substances are required for the normal development of the child's brain and nervous system. However, the main danger of the berry is that the coloring pigment and ascorbic acid are potential allergens for the baby.

Black currant

The richest in vitamin C of all types of currants is black. It is in 4th place in terms of the content of this element, behind rose hips and actinidia.

The riper the fruit, the less ascorbic acid it contains. Compared to other berries, this one contains a lot of vitamin E, which is necessary for the normal growth of the baby. Of all the types of currants, black currants are considered a storehouse of useful substances.

White

This type of currant is hypoallergenic because it does not contain coloring pigments. This variety contains less ascorbic acid, so it is not as valuable for the immune system as black or red berries.

However, white currants contain a lot of biotin. This compound strengthens hair, nails, and regulates metabolism. The berry also contains folic acid, which is required for the development of the baby's brain and nervous system.

What can be made from currants

Currant is a universal berry. Drinks, jams and even sauces for meat are prepared from its fruits. If you are breastfeeding, you can try the following recipes.

Blackcurrant compote

To prepare currant compote you will need:

• black currant - 200 g;
• water - 3 l;
• sugar - 100 g.

The cooking technology is as follows:

1. Boil water in a saucepan.
2. Add berries and sugar.
3. Stir the ingredients and bring to a boil again.
4. Remove the drink from the stove and leave it covered for 30 minutes.

Video: How to make blackcurrant compote

Blackcurrant juice

Another drink option is fruit drink. To prepare it, take:

• black currants - 2.5 tbsp. l.;
• sugar - 4 tbsp. l.;
• water - 200 ml.

Learn about the structure of the blackcurrant bush.

Next, follow the step-by-step cooking instructions:

1. Rinse the fruits.
2. Boil water, add sugar and stir.
3. Bring the water to a boil again and add the berries.
4. Reduce heat to medium, bring to a boil and immediately remove drink from heat.
5. Leave the fruit drink to steep for 30 minutes, covered.

Leaf tea

The leaves from the currant bush are no less useful than the berries. They contain minerals, vitamins and antioxidants that can strengthen the body. Tea made from currant leaves is not only tasty, but also healthy. To make sure of this, try making a drink from the following ingredients:

• dry currant leaves - 2 tsp;
• water - 200 ml;
• sugar or sweetener - to taste.

Once you have your ingredients ready, proceed as follows:

1. Boil the water.
2. Place the leaves in a cup and pour boiling water over it.
3. Infuse the tea for 10–15 minutes.
4. Add sugar or sweetener to taste.

Video: how to make tea from leaves

Currant jam for breastfeeding

Women who are breastfeeding can try making jam using the following recipe. The product does not contain excess spices and has a gentle effect on the organisms of mother and child.

To prepare you will need:

• currants of any kind - 1 kg;
• sugar - 1 kg;
• water - 200 ml.

Read about ways to make currant jam.

The cooking algorithm is as follows:

1. Pour water into a saucepan, add sugar and boil.
2. Bring the liquid until the sugar is completely dissolved.
3. Add berries and boil again.
4. Cook the mixture over medium heat for 5–10 minutes.

Chemical composition and benefits of eating fruits for mother and child

In addition to large amounts of vitamin C, currants contain other health-promoting compounds:

• Omega-3 fatty acids;
• vitamins A, E, B, K, PP;
• minerals, iron, nickel, molybdenum, manganese, copper;
• antibacterial substances;
• flavonoids.

Thanks to them, currants provide invaluable benefits for the body of mother and baby:

• removes cholesterol thanks to flavonoids and fatty acids, which cleanse blood vessels and accelerate blood circulation;
• prevents tumor growth and oncology due to the high content of vitamin C, which neutralizes free radicals;
• strengthens the immune system, allows you to resist diseases;
• cleanses the kidneys, destroys infections in the urinary tract;
• increases hemoglobin levels due to high iron content;
• promotes milk production;
• prevents the development of infection in the gastrointestinal tract;
• increases the child’s brain activity due to the high content of iodine, folic acid, and iron;
• improves vision;
• strengthens hair and nails;
• eliminates nausea, dizziness.

Attention! Black currant has a positive effect on the health of mother and child, so you should not completely abandon the product during lactation.

Leaf value

Fresh or dried currant leaves are no less useful than berries. A decoction is prepared from them and added to tea. Infusions from the green part of the plant have a positive effect on the body:

• remove excess fluid;
• tone;
• increase appetite;
• strengthen the immune system and promote rapid recovery from viral diseases and colds.

These properties are provided by the essential oils found in the leaves. To prepare vitamin tea, 2 tbsp. dried raw materials pour 2 tbsp. boiling water and leave for 20 minutes. Drink 1-2 tbsp. per day. You can add raspberry, strawberry, and cherry leaves to tea.

Blackcurrant dishes allowed during breastfeeding

If you adore black currants, then prepare delicious desserts from them. Add berries to yogurt, cottage cheese, homemade cakes, smoothies.

An excellent dessert option is currant compote. It's easy to prepare. Wash 200-300 g of fruits and place in a saucepan. Pour 2 liters of boiling water and cook for 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.

Blackcurrant juice is considered a healthy dish, but it turns out sour and requires the addition of sugar or water (1:1 ratio).

A nutritious product during lactation is a yogurt-based smoothie. To prepare it you will need a banana and half a glass of currants and fermented milk product. Mix all ingredients in a blender and grind. The smoothie is ready!

Attention! It is better to avoid berry jam. Although it is not prohibited, the dish is high in calories, the preparation of which requires a lot of sugar, which provokes allergies and excess weight gain.

Blackcurrant tea

Tea made from black fruits has enormous benefits for the body. For 3 cups you will need the following ingredients:

• 4 tsp black tea;
• 2-3 currant leaves;
• 1 tsp fruits

Preparation:

1. Pour boiling water over the kettle and pour in black tea.
2. Wash the castings, cut them and mash them slightly.
3. Add to the tea leaves, followed by the fruits.
4. Pour boiling water and leave for a quarter of an hour.

You will receive delicious and healthy tea that restores strength after childbirth and strengthens the immune system.

Currant jelly

Another tasty and healthy dish is berry jelly. It is suitable for both mother and baby from 4 months. To prepare it, you will need the following ingredients:

• 2 green apples;
• 2.5 tbsp. water;
• 1 tbsp. l. starch or gelatin;
• 1.5 tbsp. Sahara;
• 2 tbsp. fruits

Preparation:

1. Wash the apples, peel and chop.
2. Crush the berries and mix with apples.
3. Add sugar and leave for 15 minutes.
4. Add 1 tbsp. water and put on fire.
5. After boiling, cook for 20 minutes.
6. Dissolve starch or gelatin in 50 ml of cold boiled water and add to the fruit mixture.
7. Cook until the jelly thickens.

The dish helps get rid of diarrhea and strengthens the intestines. To test your child's reaction to the product, eat 1 spoon of jelly or give the drink to your child. If there is no allergy, gradually increase the dosage.

Attention! Use or offer jelly to your baby in the morning to prevent a negative reaction in time.

Eating black currants while breastfeeding

This truly national berry is popular for good reason. In addition to excellent taste, it also has other beneficial properties:

• black currant is in 4th place among fruits and berries in terms of vitamin C content. This vitamin is higher only in rose hips, green walnuts and actinidia;
• it contains vitamins of groups E, B, K, P, and also contains vitamin B5, which is rare but necessary for the body;
• The berry contains many minerals, especially calcium and iron.

IMPORTANT! Overripe berries of this crop have a noticeably reduced content of nutrients and vitamins. So it is better not to consume them fresh; there will be almost no benefit from this.

Any fruit reaches its maximum usefulness at the time of ripening. Unripe fruits and berries are just as poor in vitamins and minerals as overripe ones.

Is it possible to eat it during lactation?

While breastfeeding the baby, the mother must carefully monitor her diet. After all, many substances that enter the mother’s body with food also end up in milk in one form or another.

Berries and fruits can negatively affect the baby’s health:

• cause allergic reactions in the form of a rash;
• diathesis may occur;
• It happens that berries eaten by the mother affect the baby’s fragile digestive system, manifesting itself in the form of diarrhea, constipation or bloating.

If a woman during lactation consumes black currants in excessive quantities, she will certainly encounter such symptoms. However, a reasonable addition of this component to the diet will undoubtedly be beneficial for both mother and baby.

IMPORTANT! It is not only possible, but also necessary to eat black currants during breastfeeding. Just do this with caution and not always. For example, in the first months of a baby’s life, doctors do not recommend it to mothers.

You should also keep in mind where and when currants are purchased. The best option is from your own summer cottage. But if this is not possible, try to buy it from familiar gardeners or farmers. There is no need to do this on the side of the road or with strangers. It is unknown where it was grown and what it was fertilized with.

And one more circumstance - the black berry usually ripens in July. It is in this month that it is recommended to buy and process or eat it.

Are red and white berries allowed?

Currants also come in white and red. Some even like the taste of these types more than the black ones. Indeed, the characteristic sourness of red currants gives a drink or, for example, a pie a unique flavor; the white fruits are also very pleasant. True, there is less vitamin C in colored varieties. But they contain many other substances necessary for the human body, for example, iodine.

IMPORTANT! White and red currants are also allowed to be consumed by a nursing mother. But with certain restrictions.

During lactation, any type of currant should be eaten as follows:

• you need to start with 5-6 berries in the morning;
• monitor the baby’s reaction throughout the day: if there is no rash, stomach upset, etc., you can gradually increase the portion to half a glass;
• If you discover negative consequences from such food (in any form) during the feeding period, it is better to give up berries for now - this is still not a vital product.

Over time, when the baby’s gastrointestinal system gets stronger, you can try again to eat a few berries again. And when the baby reaches the age of 8-10 months, they can be given as complementary foods.

Contraindications

The body of a nursing mother is weakened after pregnancy and childbirth. At this time, previous ailments may worsen and sensitivity to certain foods may increase.

Any type of berry described is not recommended for consumption under the following conditions:

• during exacerbations of gastrointestinal diseases - gastritis or stomach ulcers;
• with a tendency to form blood clots;
• with increased stomach acidity.

In the latter case, a person feels a certain discomfort when eating even a small amount of any sour berries. Therefore, people with high acidity usually quickly abandon them themselves.

IMPORTANT! The use of this culture is especially dangerous for hepatitis. By increasing the load on the liver, it can cause a sharp exacerbation of this serious disease.

If you are at risk of a heart attack or stroke, nutritionists also do not recommend currants (in any form). An increased iron content in it can negatively affect blood clotting.

Compote recipes for nursing mothers

Any compote during lactation is very useful:

• it increases milk production;
• quickly introduces vitamins into the body;
• normalizes the activity of the gastrointestinal system.

Recipe for classic currant compote

Ingredients:

• currants – 0.5 kg;
• sugar – 250 g;
• water – 3 l.

Wash the berries thoroughly and remove the remaining branches. Pour water into a saucepan, add sugar and berries, bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. Leave covered for another 30 minutes. Drink warm before feeding.

Redcurrant with mint

Ingredients:

• red currants – 3 tbsp.;
• sugar – 200 g;
• lemon – 3 pieces;
• mint - to taste.

This compote can be rolled into jars. The berries are placed in a jar and covered with sugar. Place mint and lemon on top. Fill the jar halfway with boiling water and infuse the drink for 15 minutes. Add boiling water and roll up.

From berries with leaves

Ingredients:

• black currant – 250 g;
• red – 250 g;
• leaves from a bush - 3-4 pcs.;
• sugar – 250 g;
• water.

The drink is brewed like a traditional compote. Only the leaves are added at the end of cooking. Can be rolled up for the winter.

Consumption standards

If you decide to eat currants, purchase a fresh product. When choosing, follow the rules:

1. Eat fruits that are frozen or picked from your own garden. It is important that the product is environmentally friendly and does not harm the baby’s health.
2. Wash and sort the berries well. Throw away any that are cracked, green or rotten.
3. Add minimal amounts of sugar to avoid weight problems.

Remember! The daily norm of fruits for mommy is 0.5 tbsp. This amount is enough to cover your daily requirement of vitamin C.

However, you shouldn’t get carried away with large volumes right away. Start with 4-6 berries: eat and observe the reaction of the baby’s body. If there is no rash or colic, after 2-3 days increase the dosage by 3-4 berries and so on. If an allergy occurs, avoid the fruit for 1-2 months.

Possible negative consequences

Despite the enormous benefits for the body, currant fruits can cause side effects. Moms should know about these features of the product before using it:

1. Digestive disorders in an infant. When, after mommy eats berries, the baby begins to experience colic and bloating, stop eating. The fruits contain a lot of fiber, which is poorly digested in the infant’s fragile gastrointestinal tract.
2. Increased acidity. Currants contain a lot of acids. They irritate the walls of the stomach. If mommy has an ulcer or gastritis, berries are contraindicated.
3. Allergy danger. The fruits contain a coloring pigment, so they can cause an allergic reaction in the form of a rash, spots on the body, or difficulty breathing. If this happens to your baby, stop eating berries.
4. Blood thinning. If mommy has recently had surgery, berries are forbidden to her. The fruits contain compounds that thin the blood.

Currant is a berry with a lot of vitamins and other useful substances. It is good for women who need to restore strength after childbirth, strengthen their immune system and increase their milk supply. However, you need to use the fruits carefully, gradually adding them to the diet and monitoring the baby’s health. Only in this case the product will be as useful as possible.

Contraindications for currants

Each fruit has value, however, provided that there are no acute diseases in the body. So, currants are contraindicated for:

1. Ulcer.
2. For hepatitis.
3. With the development of thrombophlebitis.
4. In the presence of high acidity of the stomach.

Important! In addition, allergy sufferers may develop allergy attacks if they are abundantly saturated with currants.

In order for currants to bring only benefits, especially during a period such as lactation, you need to eat them thoughtfully. For example, it is necessary to monitor the amount of food eaten, and also, after introducing it into the diet, monitor the reaction of the child’s body.

The first portions should be divided into 6 berries per day, gradually increasing it, provided that there is no reaction on the child’s body.

Find out from this article also whether a nursing mother can eat plums while breastfeeding.

It is worth noting that Dr. Komarov insists that a mother’s diet should be varied. This means that it is necessary to introduce all foods - vegetables and fruits, meat and dairy products, gradually and in normal quantities. Naturally, it is necessary to monitor the reaction of the small organism.

Important! The introduction of berries should be gradual. A child's body gets used to everything very slowly. That is why for the first three months you should refrain from eating berries during this period. Moreover, currants have a laxative effect.