The diet of lactating women is limited, since substances from products that the mother consumes penetrate into breast milk and enter the baby’s body. And since the digestive system of the newborn is only in its infancy, many of them are capable of causing negative reactions - colic, pain, allergic rashes, diathesis. Read more about what reactions a watermelon can cause and whether it can be lactating, in this article.
Can a nursing mother eat a watermelon?
Watermelon is a very healthy berry. Easily digestible sugars, pectins, vitamins of group B, C, carotene are contained in it. It is rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, iron, organic acids, and fatty oil.
This melon culture produces urinary and choleretic, anti-inflammatory, laxative, general strengthening effect, activates metabolism, enhances intestinal motility.
Did you know? Watermelons were placed in the tombs of the pharaohs as a food source for the dead in the afterlife. Watermelon seeds were found during the study of the tomb of Tutankhamun.
Of course, such a product can only bring benefits to the female body, weakened after childbirth.
Therefore, pediatricians are sure that it can and should even be introduced into the diet of a nursing mother, however, with the following reservations:
- Eat only high-quality and ripe berries.
- To eat pulp in acceptable doses.
- Monitor the condition of the baby and stop use if negative reactions from his body are noticed (abdominal pain, flatulence, skin rashes, diarrhea, restless behavior).
- To begin the introduction of a diet with a small amount, gradually increasing it to an acceptable norm.
- Eat pulp, stepping back 1 cm from the crust. In this place nitrates accumulate.
Watermelon properties for mother and baby
The rich chemical composition of the largest berry determines its action on the human body when ingested. It can produce both a beneficial effect and harm.
Benefit
- For women who are breastfeeding, watermelon can be valuable because of these properties:
- tonic - it saturates the body with the necessary vitamins, minerals, proteins and amino acids;
- diuretic - allows you to quickly cleanse the body of salts, toxins, toxins and remove unnecessary fluid;
- carminative - relieves of such a frequent problem after childbirth, as constipation;
- increased hemoglobin in the blood;
- antioxidant - cleanses the kidneys, liver and the body as a whole.
In addition, watermelon pulp is low-calorie. When used, a feeling of fullness comes. And this means that, using such a product, a woman will be able to quickly bring her figure into shape.
And, of course, such delicious food is always the key to a good mood and well-being.
Harm and possible contraindications
- Harmful to the fruit of gourds can cause if:
- excessive consumption;
- eating poor-quality berries;
- combination with incompatible products;
- the presence of allergies.
The berry can lead to increased gas formation in women and babies, colic in children, allergic rashes.
- Watermelon is contraindicated in women who have the following health problems:
- increased gas formation;
- kidney disease: acute inflammation, urolithiasis, violation of the outflow of urine;
- deviations in the digestive system (ulcer, gastritis, colitis).
Important! Watermelon accumulates nitrates and causes serious poisoning. Therefore, you should buy fruits only in the season - not earlier than August and in reliable retail outlets where control is carried out.
Features of the use of watermelon during breastfeeding
After the birth of the child, the pediatrician will advise the woman those products that you can use during lactation from birth. In the future, during monthly visits to the children's doctor, the mother needs to be interested in what other products can be introduced as the child grows older. The following are recommendations for consuming watermelon.
In the first month
Despite the fact that there is no ban on eating berries during feeding, in the first month after giving birth it is better to abstain from it.
Although there is an opinion of some pediatricians, including Dr. Yevgeny Komarovsky, respected by many modern mothers, that if on the street it’s hot August and around, on almost every corner, they sell delicious watermelons, then you can still please yourself with a small piece .
But only when monitoring the condition of the child and buying berries in a well-established outlet.
In the second month
Pediatricians are allowed to introduce watermelon into the diet from the second month of lactation. At this time, the process of production and milk production has already been established, and more enzymes have formed in the digestive tract of the child, which are able to break down more products.
At this time, you can eat the berry not daily, but once a week.
At 3 months
If in the first months the child had a negative reaction after consuming watermelon by her mother, then you can try it again after a while. At 3 months, it is allowed to eat watermelon in 2-3 days.
If problems are again observed, then the use of watermelon should be postponed for another month.
At 4 months
At 4 months, the baby’s digestive system is already formed quite well. Therefore, mom can taste the berry daily. However, monitoring the condition of the child still does not stop.
How to introduce watermelon in the diet
In order for a berry to bring a woman who is breastfeeding, only benefit and pleasure, it is necessary to adhere to the recommendations below.
Terms of use
It is only necessary to start eating gourds in season, choosing local varieties. Early berries need to be skipped, they are likely to have a lot of "chemistry". But in August on the shelves there is already a quality product, which is safe to use.
Although, it should be noted that today there are many varieties that can ripen in July, for example, Ogonyok, Skorik, Victoria, etc.
It is advisable that the watermelon from the outlet at which the woman plans to buy up is eaten first by one of the relatives, in a day or 2. It is also important to familiarize yourself with the quality certificate and examination expertise.
Important! Do not buy cut berries, as well as those that have cracks, dents. Damaged watermelons quickly deteriorate and are not suitable for food.
Amount
For the first time after giving birth, you can try a small piece of pulp. If the next day the condition of the child has not changed, he is still cheerful and cheerful, has a good appetite, and his skin is clean, then you can use one slice.
In the absence of reaction, the amount of pulp eaten per day can be increased. The maximum daily dose that is allowed for lactating women is 2-3 slices.
Cooking method
Watermelon must be consumed immediately after it has been cut. You can only store such a berry in the refrigerator until evening. The next day, it is no longer possible to use it. If you need to keep the product longer, then it is better to freeze it.
Right combination
Since watermelon can lead to increased gas formation, then you should not eat it on an empty stomach. It is recommended to plan its use after a while (1.5-2 hours) after the main meal. The berry should not be combined with other products and drinks. She does not even need to drink water.
Did you know? On the island of Hokkaido (Japan), watermelons are grown, the peel of which is painted black. Due to their unusual appearance, these berries are the most expensive in the world. In 2008, one fruit at an auction was sold for $ 6,300.
It is better to eat berries in the morning.
So, you can and should eat a watermelon to a woman who is breastfeeding, if she is not sick. He will enrich her diet and replenish the body with important elements. However, it is worth eating berry only in limited quantities, not mixing with other products.
