Bananas during breastfeeding: benefits and harms

Bananas are a well-known tropical fruit for everyone. It has a beautiful, light flavor, sweet and delicious. In addition to the fact that it allows you to quickly satisfy hunger, ideal for snacking, banana is good for health. But can it be eaten by young mothers who breastfeed their children?

Can I eat bananas while breastfeeding?

Bananas are among the products that allow you to quickly satisfy hunger, have a positive effect on the body due to the incoming vitamins and trace elements. It is recommended to eat it up to twice a week.

But mothers who are breastfeeding should exercise caution. Everything that a woman eats during pregnancy and after childbirth affects the composition of milk. The baby can have allergies as a result of the mother's improper diet.

Specialists say that a woman can eat bananas even after giving birth during lactation if she ate them during pregnancy. In this case, the baby is already familiar with this product. But it is important to follow all the recommendations of the pediatrician, so as not to harm the baby's body. And in cases where a woman did not use bananas during pregnancy, introduce them into your diet with caution, gradually, watching the reaction of the child.

In the first month

In the first month of life, the baby's digestive system is not able to accept and absorb certain substances. The stomach is not yet fully developed, which is why you should not include in your diet certain products forbidden.

Banana is not allergenic enough fruits, and his breastfeeding mother can be introduced in your diet in the first month of life of the child. But you should do it with caution, so that the baby does not have a negative reaction to the product or problems with stools.

Eat a banana in the first month of lactation can be no more than once a week in small amounts. The product can be added to porridge, healthy drinks.

In the second month

As the child grows, his internal organs fully mature. A breastfeeding woman can already eat a banana immediately after delivery. But already from the second month, the number of products is allowed to increase.

You can eat the product already twice a week, in small portions. If you follow the norms and rules of consumption, the baby will not have unpleasant symptoms, and the banana will only benefit.

How to consume bananas correctly

When lactating, a woman should follow a number of certain rules that will help keep the baby healthy and beneficial:

1. Do not consume bananas more than 2-3 times a week. This will allow you to diversify the diet of a nursing mother and not to harm the baby.
2. Do not exceed the established norms. Each month, the rate of each product changes, as the baby's body grows, develops and he needs more and more nutrients. But also to exceed the norms of products is not recommended. Excessive use of banana during lactation can lead to digestive disorders, stool problems, colic, allergic reactions.
3. Do not buy bananas in advance. The fruit refers to perishable, you should not buy it in advance. Even seemingly good products can be dangerous for the new mom and baby.
4. Do not use blackened bananas. They are sweet, flavorful, but they are not suitable for the diet of a nursing mother, because the rotting process has begun in them. Such a fruit can provoke violations of the stool, the work of the digestive system. Unpleasant symptoms will disturb the baby, resulting in disturbed sleep.

It should also be remembered that you should buy the product only in trusted stores where good quality products are sold. Observance of simple rules will allow a woman to protect herself and her child from unpleasant consequences.

How much you can eat per day

Experts have developed a table that reflects all the norms of each product on breastfeeding. According to it, a banana can be eaten by a nursing woman in the amount of 1 piece no more than 3 times a week.

But the product should be introduced gradually, starting with half of one medium banana. Gradually, the single rate can be increased: by half a year, the mother is allowed to eat two bananas at a time.

Can I eat at night and on an empty stomach

The fruit is considered quite nutritious, despite its small caloric value. A banana when breastfeeding can be eaten on an empty stomach. He will be an excellent breakfast option as a supplement to porridge. The product will help to get rid of hunger quickly and for a long time, energize you for the whole morning, because a young mother needs strength.

It is also possible to eat a banana at bedtime. It is low-calorie and will not cause weight gain. The use of the product for a couple of hours before sleep will allow the woman to put her figure in order after childbirth. But after the abuse of bananas there is often a significant weight gain.

Thus, a nursing mother will benefit from the fruit even in the morning or before going to bed. But it is always worth remembering that you should eat the product in moderation, without overdoing it.

Is it possible to eat blackened bananas

Bananas are a treasure trove of valuable substances, especially for a nursing mother and child. They contain a huge amount of complex carbohydrates, which contributes to the rapid saturation of the body when they are consumed.

It is the complex carbohydrates that cause the flesh of the product to darken. The banana begins to change its color when they come in contact with oxygen. The taste of the fruit changes as well. In the process of oxidation, the carbohydrates begin to break down into different substances and elements. Thus, the chemical composition changes as well.

Specialists have established that bananas with dark spots on the surface of the skin are more useful for the body than ordinary ones. The riper the product, the more nutrients and useful trace elements it contains.

Darkened bananas help to normalize blood pressure, saturate the body with potassium, which is contained in a slightly overripe bananas in huge quantities.

The product, on the surface of which there are brown spots on the skin, reduces the risk of cancerous tumors, as it contains a special trace element that destroys atypical cells.

Banana, like many fruits, helps to normalize the digestive system, namely - gets rid of constipation. In addition, the use of the product helps women to get rid of painful feelings that occur during menstruation. During the breastfeeding period, such a product will benefit the woman and the baby, because it contains the maximum number of useful substances. But to eat with lactation blackened bananas is strictly forbidden. The thing is that the product has already begun the process of rotting, which leads to serious problems.

Before eating a blackened banana, you should make sure that the skin is intact, there are no cracks or mold.

It is safe to eat those bananas with a small number of stripes or dark dots on the surface of the peel. Danger to the body bear fruit on which there are cracks or other damage to the shell. Through them penetrate harmful bacteria that are harmful to the body.

Benefits of bananas when breastfeeding

The fruit is rich in a variety of vitamins and minerals, which means that it is beneficial if used correctly during lactation. The benefits of the product are expressed in the following ways:

1. It helps relieve stress, lifts your mood. The banana is also called the "fruit of happiness". And all because it contains special substances that promote the production of serotonin. This hormone helps a person to be in a good mood.
2. It quickly quenches hunger. Despite the small size of the fruit and its low caloric value, banana promotes rapid satiety and satisfies hunger. That is why it is recommended as a snack for breastfeeding mothers to regulate weight.
3. It removes toxins. The product contains special substances that help naturally remove harmful substances from the body. Bananas can be consumed even when poisoned by alcoholic products, they contribute to a quicker recovery. This property is also useful for breastfeeding mothers, as all harmful substances are able to get into the breast milk.
4. Supports the cardiovascular system due to the content of B vitamins. This is important after childbirth, when during pregnancy the whole body, including the heart, suffers.
5. Normalizes the work of the digestive system. Banana does not have an aggressive effect on the gastrointestinal tract. The product is recommended for consumption in the presence of ulcers, gastritis. It will also have a positive effect on lactation. Banana is easily digested and does not cause allergies in children.
6. Increases the synthesis of oxytocin. This is a hormone that begins to be produced during breastfeeding in women. It helps the body recover sooner after childbirth.
7. It reduces the risk of migraine. Women after childbirth often suffer from severe headaches, which are called migraines. Regular consumption of a banana in sufficient quantity helps to reduce the risk of their manifestation.
8. It reduces swelling of soft tissues. Women after childbirth also often have edema of the lower extremities. Regular consumption of a banana will help cope with this problem.
9. Contributes to the proper formation of the baby's taste buds due to the sufficient amount of zinc.
10. Helps in the formation of the child's central nervous system. This is promoted by folic acid, which is present in the product.
11. Eliminates constipation. The banana contains a large amount of fiber, which has a positive effect on the intestines and helps to cope with stagnation.
12. Improves sleep in the child. After a woman consumes a banana in the first half of the day, the baby has a normal night's sleep. Thanks to this, he falls asleep better and sleeps more peacefully.
13. It improves the work of the brain. Banana contains glucose, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the brain.
14. It speeds up the regeneration of muscle tissue. This is important for women after childbirth.
15. Eliminates cramps of muscle tissue. As a result of lack of calcium, magnesium and potassium in a woman's body after childbirth, leg muscle cramps can occur. To get rid of them will help the introduction of a banana in the diet, as it contains these trace elements in large quantities.
16. It eliminates anemia. During pregnancy, there is often a lack of iron in the blood of women. This is expressed in fatigue, malaise, dizziness, and drowsiness. This disorder is called anemia and often requires medication. One way to increase iron levels is to eat bananas.
17. Restore the microflora of the intestine. Childbirth and a new menu can have a negative effect on the digestive tract. The exotic fruit contains fiber and other substances that help restore microflora.
18. Normalizes blood pressure. Thanks to the substances contained in the child's body, blood pressure is restored, and the well-being of the child is improved.
19. Improves immunity. The product contains a large number of different vitamins and minerals. They help the body's defenses, which is important during the breastfeeding period.
20. Reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood. Thrombophlebitis is a disease resulting from blockage of blood vessels by cholesterol plaques. Lack of treatment leads to heart attacks and strokes.
21. Improves memory due to the presence of vitamins and other valuable substances. It is thanks to them that the work of the brain is maintained.
22. Restores the skin. Thanks to vitamin A and other substances, regular consumption of bananas helps to restore the upper layer of the epidermis. Bananas are often used in cosmetology to restore the natural complexion, hair structure.
23. It helps with great physical exertion. Its composition includes substances that contribute to the restoration of strength and energy. It is very important for women after childbirth to rest more, but sometimes a small child does not leave time for proper rest. The consumption of the fruit will help the body to cope with the strain.

Thus, the use of a banana during lactation will have a positive impact on the woman's body, a beneficial effect on the health of the baby.

The benefits of dried and dried bananas

In stores today you can find not only bananas in their fresh form. They belong to the perishable products and in order to preserve, extend their shelf life, they are dried or dried.

Such bananas can also be consumed by a woman while breastfeeding. According to studies, dried fruit, unlike fresh fruit, has more carbohydrates. The caloric value of the banana remains the same. Thus, a smaller amount of fruit will be needed to satiate the body. Dried bananas can be consumed by people prone to allergies. Specialists also recommend them to patients with established diseases of the heart muscle, liver, brain and digestive system.

Dried bananas are able to keep longer than dried bananas. But they also retain all the benefits as a fresh fruit. The product relieves swelling due to the ability to remove excess fluid, regulates the performance of the cardiovascular system.

What is the healthiest bananas

The choice of bananas in stores can be quite large. You can see several types on the shelves, each with its own characteristics:

Soft, brown.

They have a sweet taste, which is why they are popular. Despite their unattractive appearance, they have a sufficient amount of nutrients in their composition. The product also contains elements such as calcium, potassium, magnesium. They contribute to strengthening bone tissue. Brown bananas also contain amino acids that reduce anxiety and restlessness. It is they improve mood after eating the fruit, activating the production of serotonin.

Yellow .

They are hard, firm. Ideal for preparing salads. They taste quite sweet. Yellow bananas are easier to digest by the body than others, and experts recommend introducing them into the diet of nursing mothers. They contain antioxidants that help to eliminate toxins.

Green

Not as sweet as the other types, more often astringent, which is why they are rarely consumed. But they do contain starch, which helps control blood sugar levels. They are recommended for diabetics and for weight loss diets.

Spotted, yellow.

They are included in the diet of people with established malignancies, recommended as cancer prevention. The thing is that they contain eight times more substances that destroy atypical cells. In addition, such bananas are better for improving the immune system, as they contain the maximum number of useful substances.

It is better for a nursing mother to choose yellow ones without spots. They contain a sufficient number of useful substances, but at the same time they are the most hypoallergenic.

What are the dangers of bananas during lactation

The product is undoubtedly beneficial for the body due to the included substances. But it is not always useful. Experts say that in exceptional cases, after the introduction of bananas into the mother's diet, the child has experienced bloating, colic, rash and stool disorders. If unpleasant symptoms occur, you should stop introducing the fruit and try again in a couple of months.

Bananas are also dangerous during breastfeeding because they are treated with a special gas before being shipped from the producing country. It is needed in order to increase the shelf life of the product, since it is perishable. Also, the gas helps to give a marketable appearance. This can have a negative impact on the well-being of the baby.

The fruit in some cases causes an allergic reaction. According to experts, this is extremely rare. But when introducing the product into the diet of a nursing mother, care should be taken. Signs of allergies are a rash on the body, redness of the skin, itching. If they appear, banana should be removed from the diet for some time.

Unpleasant symptoms can also arise as a result of the presence in the composition of starch in large quantities. Some children have an intolerance to this substance.

Consumption of bananas by a nursing mother most often leads to changes in the baby's stool. If it is not accompanied by anxiety of the baby, colic and painful sensations, it is not necessary to remove the product from the diet, it is enough to reduce its amount.

Unpleasant symptoms after eating a banana can occur in a woman. These include loss of strength, slight dizziness, decreased pulse rate. They all appear when there is an excessive amount of serotonin in the body.

Before shipping bananas, suppliers treat them with special solutions, which helps to give the product a proper appearance and increase its shelf life. This can cause poisoning.

In order to reduce the risk of unpleasant consequences, it is necessary to choose bananas carefully, consume them correctly and not exceed the recommended rates.

Contraindications
Banana is good for your health. But in some cases, its use is strictly prohibited, because it can lead to serious consequences. Contraindications are:

1. Diabetes mellitus. The composition of the fruit includes glucose. In addition, bananas increase the load on the pancreas.
2. Varicose veins. The substances included in the product affect the state of the blood vessels.
3. Individual intolerance. In exceptional cases, there may be an allergic reaction to starch that is present in large quantities.
4. Overweight. Banana refers to products that have a high caloric value. Only certain types of it can be included in the diet.
5. Allergies in the baby. When the mother introduces a banana to the child's diet, an allergic reaction is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms such as rash, itching, the appearance of redness, spots on the skin, stool disorders, colic.

In order to avoid the manifestation of adverse effects, it is necessary to follow the rules of introducing a banana in the diet of a nursing mother, to make sure there are no contraindications.

What is the right way to introduce bananas into a breastfeeding mother's diet?

To introduce a banana in the diet of a nursing mother does not turn out unpleasant consequences for the baby, it is important for a woman to observe a number of rules:

1. The product belongs to hypoallergenic and in exceptional cases causes unpleasant symptoms, but a woman should not introduce it into her diet earlier than two months after delivery. This rule should be strictly followed by those who have not consumed bananas during pregnancy.
2. For the first time enough to eat just a quarter of a small banana in the first half of the day. For two days, the baby's reaction should be monitored. It is necessary to give up the product in case of signs of allergy. But if they have not arisen, after two days you can eat half a banana.
3. A month after the introduction of the fruit in the diet, the nursing mother can safely eat a whole fruit at a time.
4. You should not eat these fruits often. For them to be beneficial, it is enough to consume 1-2 bananas up to three times a day.
5. You should also consider that the consumption of unripe fruit is creepy. To get rid of constipation suit overripe fruit, pre-mashed to a mushy state.

Following simple rules for the introduction of bananas in the diet of a woman who is breastfeeding, you can significantly reduce the risk of adverse effects and save the health of the child.

How to choose bananas correctly

For a breastfeeding mother, it is important not only to properly introduce a new product into her diet and comply with the recommended norms, but also to buy a quality product. After all, the health of the woman and baby also depends on it.

To buy bananas in the store, which will be beneficial for the mother and baby, you need to be guided by the following rules:

1. It is better to buy bananas that have a greenish hue. But you should not eat them right away. The product should be put in a dark place where within 1-2 days they ripen on their own. Thus, you can significantly reduce the likelihood of flatulence and colic in a child.
2. It's better to choose a medium-sized fruit streamlined shape. Large and small to buy do not.
3. On the surface of the skin may be present dark spots or small stripes. They indicate that the banana is ready to eat, it contains the maximum amount of nutrients.
4. You should not buy bananas with black or gray spots on the surface. Such fruits are dangerous to eat.

Store purchased bananas in a dark place.

Nursing mothers should also remember that the fruit should be washed under running water before consumption. This is required in order to reduce the risk of poisoning. The thing is that the fruit is harvested still immature, since it is perishable. Before shipment, the suppliers treat them with a special gas. Under its influence, complex carbohydrates are converted into sugar. Such a fruit will not do any good.

Doctors' tips

Pediatricians and nutritionists advise nursing mothers to adhere to the following recommendations:

1. It is better to eat one banana a day than 3 two times a week. All the substances in the product do not accumulate in the body, do not lead to an overdose of the product.
2. An allergic reaction to bananas is most often the result of starch intolerance. To check whether a banana really caused the unpleasant symptoms, it is sufficient to introduce another product in the diet, which has a large amount of starch.
3. When a banana is introduced into a breastfeeding mother's diet, the baby's stool color usually changes. This does not mean that the product should be discarded. It is a natural reaction of the body to the introduction of a new component.
4. Also, experts say that the baby's allergy to banana will be absent with one hundred percent accuracy in the case when the mother consumed the fruit during pregnancy. Thus, it is necessary to be careful when introducing a new product, regardless of the circumstances.

Delicious and healthy recipes

Bananas are not only eaten fresh. From them you can prepare many useful and delicious dishes that will diversify the diet of a nursing mother. The following recipes are popular:

Porridge .

It is nutritious and useful. Improve its taste will help it is a banana. To prepare it, you will need 0.5 cup of millet, 1.5 cups of water, a small piece of butter and a banana. Pour water over the cereal and put it on a low heat, cook for 15 minutes. Then add butter, cover with a lid and leave for another 10 minutes on a cooling stove. Before serving, add a pre-cut banana. Millet can be replaced with any other cereals.

Cocktail

It will be an excellent dessert and will help to satisfy hunger. Preparing it is quite simple. For this you need to take a glass of milk, yogurt or kefir, a whole banana. All mixed with the help of a blender.

Bananas during breastfeeding can be added to porridges, desserts. The fruit will be an excellent substitute for sweets, which are forbidden to a nursing mother.

Exotic fruit will benefit the mother and baby when breastfeeding only if all the rules and recommendations are followed. It contains all the necessary useful substances for the woman and the baby, but it is worth remembering that abuse leads to negative consequences.