3 Myths About Breastfeeding And A Mother's Diet

Over the years, mothers have heard a lot of various information about what they can or cannot eat while breastfeeding. Some of them can be contradicting. These recommendations may differ depending on one’s culture and tradition, along with their personal preference and financial situation. 

The process and experience of breastfeeding are a mystery to many, and with mixed information available, it can be confusing to new mommies.

When moms talk about breastfeeding, suddenly everyone seems to have their opinion or a piece of advice. While you can pick up a few tips from well-meaning friends and family or various sources online, too often, the wrong information is passed along.

That’s why it’s essential to know which ones to believe and which ones to disregard. To help you, check out these myths and facts on breastfeeding and a mother’s diet.

What decides the nutrients in breast milk?

Health organisations recognise human breast milk as the perfect nutrition source for newborns. It is recommended for the first 6 months of life. Solid food is added to the diet for children up to 2 years old.

Breast milk is produced by a woman’s body and usually meet her child’s nutritional needs perfectly. It is a complete source of nutrition and hydration and protects babies from getting sick through the mother’s antibodies that are passed down to the baby via the breast milk.

Myths & Facts of the relation between mother’s diet and breast milk

It can be challenging to figure out which ones are true with so much online information. To help you, check out these myths and facts about breastfeeding and diet.

Myth: If a mother’s diet is poor, it affects the quality of breast milk

Breastmilk is a living substance that evolves to fit needs of your baby. It contains essential nutrients for your baby’s health, such as stem cells, immunity-building cells, food for healthy gut bacteria, and other health components that cannot be copied.

While the mother's diet does not significantly affect the nutritional content of breast milk, but the quality of breast milk will be better if the mother eats an adequate and balanced diet

Fact: The mother's diet has little effect on the quality of breast milk. However, lactating women themselves still need more nutrients

The total of lactose in a mother’s milk has nothing to do with her diet - this is because her body produces lactose solely for the baby. Although not getting enough nutrition will not cause the reduction of breast milk produced by the mother, breastfeeding women themselves have high nutritional needs.

Hence, they must take balanced nutrition and water to maintain their own health. In addition, factors such as excessive fatigue , stress, and lack of water can lead to reduced breast milk production.

Myth: You need to eat special foods to breastfeed better

A breastfeeding mother does not require a specific diet to produce milk or increase her milk supply. Milk production is determined by the amount of milk removed from her breast.

A mother who breastfeeds will produce enough milk regardless of what she eats, which means no particular food should be eaten. 

Fact: A breastfeeding mother will feel hungry or thirsty frequently

Breastfeeding uses up more calories than usual, and breastfeeding moms may feel hungrier and thirstier. Although nursing mothers do not need to eat specific foods to improve the quality of breast milk, it is recommended that mothers choose healthy and high-quality foods to supplement calories.

Myth: You need to drink milk to produce breastmilk

Human beings are the only living things that drink milk manufactured by other animals. There are no other mammal moms who drink milk, yet they still can provide milk for their young.

Milk is sometimes seen as a source of calcium, but other foods such as spinach, peppers, and broccoli contain more calcium per serving.

Fact: Some foods can change the taste of breastmilk

Even if the food you eat doesn't significantly affect the nutrition of your breast milk, food can affect the taste of your breast milk. A mother's intake of diversified foods will help improve the baby's acceptance of food in the future.

How breastfeeding mothers can supplement themselves with more nutrition

Breastfeeding mothers need more nutrients and calories to make breast milk than usual. However, busy postpartum mothers often don't have time to properly prepare meals for themselves, especially if they are busy with daily work or chores.

The simplest and most convenient way to supplement nutrition would be through the best chicken essence in Singapore . Chicken essence is rich in high-quality protein, which can quickly replenish physical strength for nursing mothers. 

Chicken Essence for Breastfeeding is the ideal choice for breastfeeding mummies as it contains a Vaccaria Seed, which is believed to promote smooth lactation and ease of milk secretion.

This product is packed with a wide range of premium herbs, perfect for supporting new mothers as they tackle this new chapter in their life. 

Pure Chicken Essence is also a good choice for breastfeeding moms as it helps strengthen your body, debate fatigue and supplement original Qi.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is different for every mom, and there will be times when you might find it challenging and hard. That’s why it’s essential to know if you are doing the right thing.

With so much available information, the list above is just some of the common myths and facts that can help you in this chapter of your journey.