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Foods that diminish breastmilk production are a top concern for postpartum mothers striving to ensure an ample milk supply. Sometimes, these foods may not directly reduce maternal milk production but can affect the digestive system, causing stress for mothers,... And in the following article, PasGo Team has compiled a list of foods that can decrease breastmilk production, posing a risk of milk reduction that you should limit consumption of.
1. Foods that can decrease breastmilk production: Alcohol, beer
Alcohol adversely affects the health of both mother and baby. Despite only a small amount of alcohol being passed into breastmilk, it poses a risk of delayed development for infants who nurse frequently.
Spicy foods and excessively fried foods with too much oil are indirect causes of decreased milk supply. They can cause indigestion for the mother, resulting in less milk production than normal.
Additionally, chili peppers may induce reactions in infants. Garlic, known for its spicy and pungent odor, can also impart an unpleasant smell to breast milk, potentially causing the baby to refuse breastfeeding.
4. Foods that decrease milk supply: Instant noodles
Instant noodles
Instant noodles has always been a topic of discussion regarding its detrimental effects on health. It's often rumored to diminish milk supply, especially among nursing mothers. Indeed, excessive consumption of instant noodles can lead to nutrient deficiencies, insufficient milk production for breastfeeding, and lactation problems.
5. Certain vegetables that reduce milk supply
We commonly think of vegetables as sources of fiber and aids in preventing constipation. However, some vegetables are among the few foods known to decrease milk supply, and it's advisable to limit their consumption.
Bamboo shoots
At the top of the list of vegetables notorious for reducing milk supply is bamboo shoots. Fresh bamboo shoots contain HCN, which can be harmful if consumed excessively. This toxin can easily dissolve in water and evaporate at high temperatures during cooking. However, there's no certainty that all toxins will be completely eliminated. To safeguard the health of the baby and avoid the risk of milk loss, mothers should avoid eating fresh bamboo shoots.
Additionally, sour bamboo shoots sold in markets often contain preservatives and are dyed yellow to enhance their appearance. Therefore, postpartum mothers should also limit consumption of this type of bamboo shoots.
Betel leaves
Second on the list of vegetables notorious for reducing milk supply is betel leaves. According to folklore, betel leaves are considered one of the top foods that cause mothers to lose their milk supply. Just 1-2 small pieces of betel leaves are enough to dry up a woman's milk. Although there isn't clear scientific evidence, mothers may consider removing this vegetable from their diet.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a vegetable rich in fiber; however, there's considerable advice to limit its consumption to avoid milk loss. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, broccoli has a cooling property, excessive consumption can lead to abdominal chillness, and there's a high likelihood of milk loss if eaten excessively.
Onion
Aromatic vegetables are known to reduce milk supply by diminishing lactation. Therefore, when preparing meals for breastfeeding mothers, it's advisable to avoid using onions to prevent negative effects on breast milk production.
Watercress
We often consume watercress raw, but the digestive system of new mothers is quite weak, making them susceptible to diarrhea. Additionally, some new mothers experience a reduction in milk supply after consuming watercress. Therefore, postpartum mothers should limit their intake of watercress.
Pickled cucumbers and tomatoes
It's commonly believed that pickled cucumbers and tomatoes are foods that nursing mothers should avoid as they might reduce milk supply. However, whether a nursing mother can consume pickled cucumbers and tomatoes depends on the type:
- Clean and ripe pickled cucumbers ensure food hygiene and often provide digestive enzymes and beneficial bacteria for the digestive system. However, excessive consumption is not advisable as this food is highly acidic, which may not be good for the stomach.
- Pickled mustard greens or pickled tomatoes are dishes that nursing mothers should avoid because they may contain some toxins that indirectly disrupt digestion and lead to milk loss.
Bitter melon
Research on the impact of bitter melon on postpartum milk reduction is quite limited, but immediate consumption of this fruit after childbirth is not encouraged. Bitter melon does not significantly contribute to lactation or provide sufficient nutrients and important vitamins for breast milk. Therefore, to ensure maternal health and milk quality, it's advisable to limit consumption of bitter melon after childbirth.
6. Fruits that reduce milk supply
Fruits are often rich in vitamins, fiber, and essential minerals for postpartum mothers, contributing to increased milk quality. However, there are some fruits that nursing mothers should limit consumption of due to their potential to reduce milk supply:
Sour mangoes, and strawberries
Postpartum mothers should avoid consuming excessive amounts of sour mangoes and strawberries as they can decrease milk supply. Sour mangoes contain citric acid and tannins with astringent properties, negatively affecting milk secretion. Consuming too many sour mangoes can lead to a decrease in maternal milk supply and impact nutrient provision for the baby.
Green guava
Green guava dipped in sweet and sour salt is often very appetizing, but this type of fruit is not good for postpartum mothers. Because of its low vitamin content and high acidity, it increases the likelihood of constipation - an indirect cause of stress and milk loss for mothers.
Therefore, it can be seen that the fruits that cause milk loss are sour fruits with a bitter taste, still unripe. Therefore, if postpartum mothers crave them, they should also limit consumption and instead opt for fruits rich in nutrients beneficial for postpartum mothers.
The above are foods that may cause milk loss for postpartum mothers, which may be scientifically or orally based. However, there are still many other good, nutrient-rich foods to choose from. Therefore, removing these foods from the diet can create peace of mind for mothers regarding their diet and avoid the risk of milk loss.
