How to properly consume onions while breastfeeding

Do onions affect breast milk?

The green stems have the same nutritional value as the root vegetable, but have less pronounced taste and smell. If housewives shed tears over onions, then the fragrant feathers do not cause such a violent reaction in the body. The effect of the product on the composition of breast milk directly depends on the amount of green onions in the menu of a nursing mother.

Important! An excess of arrows can indeed make milk bitter, but to significantly change the taste, a woman needs to eat a huge bunch in one go. Compared to its onion counterpart, the stems do not have such a noticeable effect on breast milk that the baby will refuse it.

How does onion affect during lactation?

Immunologists believe that onions are useful for a woman’s body, exhausted by pregnancy and childbirth. But the main principle for a nursing mother is caution and careful introduction of new products into her menu. Any food affects the baby through breast milk.

How does this garden plant affect the “food chain” of mother and child?

On the mother

The beneficial chemical composition of onions serves as a kind of shield against infections and viruses, and also supports a weakened body during the postpartum period. Bioflavonoids and fiber contained in the onion have a positive effect on intestinal motility, normalize digestive processes and remove toxins from the body.

Chlorophyll, present in the feathers of green onions, affects the composition of the blood and the condition of blood vessels (prevents their fragility, strengthens the walls). The vitamin and mineral composition has a beneficial effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails.

Per child

If neither parent has a food allergy, the likelihood of negative reactions in the infant is minimal. There is a mild laxative effect of onions. It is recommended if the child has frequent constipation and problems with bowel movements.

For milk

Many mothers wonder whether the bitterness of a vegetable affects the taste of milk? Pediatricians assure that moderate intake will not affect the taste of milk . Nature has made sure that the baby’s digestive system gradually adapts to new foods.

According to statistics, only 3-5% of babies can refuse breastfeeding due to taste “predilections”. In addition, the taste and quality of breast milk are largely affected by a woman’s hormonal changes, her lifestyle, inflammatory processes, and physical activity.

Those mothers who safely consumed it in any form during pregnancy should definitely not be afraid to eat onions. The baby will absorb milk without problems, since these nutrients have already been delivered to him through the bloodstream, and he is accustomed to this diet.

Beneficial features

Green onions are very useful for breastfeeding, as they restore strength in the postpartum period. Just 100 g of stems is enough to replenish the daily requirement of vitamin C - and this is not all the qualities of the product:

1. Natural antiseptics, phytoncides, strengthen the immune system and help cope with viruses.
2. Digestion improves due to the large amount of fiber, and the functioning of the nervous system is normalized.
3. The product has an anti-scurvy effect and is an excellent prevention of vitamin deficiency.
4. With regular use, sodium ions are removed from the cells, replaced by potassium ions - this is how the body loses excess fluid.

A large number of positive reviews about green onions for breastfeeding are due to their valuable composition:

• zinc improves the condition of skin and hair;
• the tandem of phosphorus and calcium is the best protection for bone tissue;
• chlorophyll is indispensable in hematopoietic processes;
• iron is involved in the formation of hemoglobin;
• antioxidant quercetin prevents the development of cancer;
• potassium takes care of the health of the cardiovascular system.

The plant also contains:

• vitamins of group B, A, E, PP;
• easily digestible carbohydrates;
• organic acids.

There is no need to purchase expensive supplements and vitamin complexes - just a few fresh feathers can replace synthetic drugs.

Can a nursing mother eat onions?

It is useful for women during breastfeeding to eat green onions to increase lactation. The baby will definitely receive all the useful components through milk. However, it is not recommended to abuse the quantity. This can cause bowel problems, allergies in the child, and also change the taste of milk.

What's useful?

Onions are a versatile vegetable. Both the root and feathers are eaten with pleasure. Different peoples call it a source of health, a natural antibiotic and a plant of beauty. And all because it contains:

• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• iron;
• quercetin;
• carotene;
• flavonoids;
• phytoncides;
• organic acids;
• vitamins of groups B, C, E, K and PP.

It is especially useful to consume onions in the autumn and spring periods, when the body suffers from a deficiency of vitamins and microelements. It helps with constipation and treats intestinal diseases. It has a preventive effect during epidemics of viral diseases; its caustic juice is even used to treat hemorrhoids. Green feathers are indicated for a nursing mother to increase milk production.

This is interesting! Studies by Western scientists have shown that consuming a lot of onions is harmful for women who smoke, as well as for those who take hormonal contraceptives. These people have an increased risk of blood clots; vitamin K can make the situation even worse, causing heart attacks, strokes and other complications.

Contraindications

Along with its undeniable benefits, this plant can cause harm. It should not be eaten by people with certain health conditions:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gall bladder, kidneys, liver;
• high blood pressure;
• allergies and individual intolerances;
• respiratory diseases;
• nervous and mental diseases, since onions have a stimulating effect on the nervous system.

For insomnia, doctors also advise limiting the consumption of this vegetable. However, even a healthy person needs to take precautions to avoid heartburn and not provoke vomiting.

Contraindications for use during lactation

Answering the question whether a nursing mother can have green onions, breastfeeding experts warn that you need to know moderation in everything. However, there is a strict taboo on consuming the plant if a woman is diagnosed with:

• gastrointestinal diseases including increased stomach acidity;
• damage to the liver, gallbladder and bile ducts;
• bronchial asthma.

You will have to exclude fragrant arrows from the menu if you have kidney disease and hypertension.

How to introduce raw and boiled onions into a mother's diet

Heat-treated onions - as part of first courses and stewed vegetables - can be eaten after childbirth, starting from 3-4 weeks. This is due to the fact that most of the compounds that can cause tummy upset or allergies in a child are destroyed during cooking and stewing.

Reference

Fresh onions should be introduced into the diet no earlier than after 4 months. By this time, the baby’s digestive system is already able to accept a new product in the mother’s diet without negative reactions.

Green feathers of the vegetable can be added to the diet 10-12 weeks after the birth of the child. Despite the fact that it occupies a certain intermediate position between boiled and raw, it is not suitable for earlier introduction.

Before adding fresh onions to your diet, you need to check for allergies and other possible reactions:

1. Eat 15 g of the product in the morning, adding it to a salad of familiar, non-problematic vegetables.
2. Monitor the child for 1-2 days to see if there is an allergic response, colic, bloating, etc.
3. If everything is in order, then the vegetable is allowed to be included in the diet, otherwise its use should be postponed for at least another month.

Symptoms in a child in which vegetables need to be removed from the diet include refusal to breastfeed, restless sleep, changes in stool, colic, rash, and fever. With colic and flatulence, the child tightens his legs and his tummy swells.

How to eat green onions while breastfeeding?

Like any other products, the plant should be administered carefully from 5 weeks after birth. It is advisable to try one stalk for breakfast so that there is enough time until the end of the day to observe the child’s reaction. If you follow the recommendations of doctors, fragrant feathers will bring many benefits to mother and baby:

1. The most useful part of the plant is the fleshy white leg and the 10 cm of greenery adjacent to it.
2. For the first “acquaintance”, only a heat-treated product is suitable. You can add the stems to side dishes, first courses, stew or boil. If the baby does not have a negative reaction, you can gradually introduce raw green onions during breastfeeding from 3 months.
3. A home-grown plant is much healthier than a purchased one. If it is not possible to harvest at your summer cottage, you should carefully choose a quality product on the market. The onion should be fresh, without signs of spoilage or yellow spots.
4. Before use, the arrows must be washed under running water - special attention should be paid to the divergence of the feathers, since dirt and soil residues can accumulate there.

If the child has an acute reaction to the introduction of a new product, it is necessary to postpone the use of green onions for another month.

Use in the first month after childbirth and subsequent months: what is the difference?

In the 1st month after the birth of the baby, the new mother should not eat this product. The child's digestive system is still very weak, and it needs time to adapt to digesting food. In the first months, breast milk should be as pure as possible, that is, it should not contain aggressive and potentially allergenic substances, which are also found in onions.

Gradually, the baby’s gastrointestinal tract becomes stronger and adapts to the digestion and absorption of food. Therefore, later it is not forbidden to include onions in the list of foods for mother’s diet, following certain rules. This is discussed below.

Recipes with leeks

Leeks are one of the most famous varieties of green onions. Used in preparing main dishes, appetizers and salads. A distinctive feature of the variety is the absence of a sharp taste, due to which it is allowed to be used during breastfeeding. The presented recipes can be added to the menu from the second month after birth.

Preparing this aromatic casserole will take no more than an hour:

1. Disassemble 2-3 green stems into leaves, rinse under running water. Place in salted boiling water and drain in a colander after 5 minutes.
2. Grease a baking dish with butter and sprinkle with breadcrumbs. It is better to prepare them yourself from yeast-free bread.
3. Carefully place half of the leek stalks on the bottom, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and 50 g of hard cheese.
4. Place the second layer in the same order, but place 30 g of butter on top in small pieces.
5. Place in an oven preheated to 180°C for 10 minutes.

You can make a hearty chicken soup from the remaining white part of the leek stalks, if the nursing mother already has all the necessary ingredients in her diet:

1. 500 g chicken breast pour 2 liters of water.
2. After the broth boils, remove the foam and simmer the meat over low heat for no longer than 40 minutes.
3. Separately, you need to boil ½ cup of pearl barley.
4. Remove chicken from the broth.
5. Drain the water from the pearl barley, add the prepared cereal to the broth, and add salt.
6. Wash 2-3 leeks, cut into large rings, add to the broth.
7. Send 3 prunes and chopped chicken meat there. For the best aroma, prunes must first be steamed and cut into 3-4 parts.
8. Boil the soup for half an hour, add salt if necessary.

Green onions are useful to include in your daily menu. The plant will be a useful addition to a balanced diet if added in small portions. Reasonable consumption of fragrant feathers will not affect the quality and smell of milk in any way - on the contrary, it will saturate it with valuable vitamins and microelements.

In what form is it best to consume?

In the first month after birth, onions should be heat treated. Boiled and stewed vegetables minimize the negative impact of flavonoids on a child’s fragile intestines. In the future, you can add some fresh vegetables to salads. It is not recommended to get carried away with fried onions, as carcinogens are released during frying, and the vegetable itself loses its beneficial qualities. As a dressing for soups, it is better to fry it in butter. Pickled onions are harmful to both mother and baby due to the effects of acetic acid.