Is it possible to eat cabbage while breastfeeding: arguments for and against
After giving birth, a woman must take care not only of herself, but also of the child. Many questions a nursing mother has are related to the preparation of a diet, which should include healthy and high-quality products. Cabbage is one of the most accessible and familiar vegetables with a rich composition. Let's consider whether its use by a nursing mother will harm the baby.
Is it possible to eat cabbage while breastfeeding?
Domestic pediatricians answer this question in the negative because of the high risk of increased colic in the baby and the occurrence of allergic reactions. Their foreign colleagues believe that the mother’s diet indirectly affects the child’s well-being, and colic is a natural stage of maturation of the digestive system, and the degree of its manifestation is not related to what the nursing mother eats.
There is no definite answer whether to eat cabbage during lactation. The type of vegetable and method of preparation play a big role.
When to include in the diet
Cauliflower is considered the safest for mother and child. It is introduced into the diet 2-3 weeks after birth.
The risk of an allergic reaction is very small, but still possible. Therefore, they start with a small amount - 3-5 tbsp. l. vegetable soup. The baby’s condition is monitored for 1–3 days.
Important! If a rash, diarrhea or other unpleasant symptoms appear, the product should be excluded from the diet.
Useful properties of the vegetable
Let's look at what types of cabbage are good for mother and child.
Colored
The use of this type of vegetable during breastfeeding is recommended by pediatricians. Cauliflower rich in vitamin C (48.2 mg per 100 g), rarely causes allergic reactions and digestive disorders, but it is undesirable to abuse it.
Useful properties of the vegetable:
- strengthens the immune system and nervous system;
- has a positive effect on hematopoietic function;
- cleanses blood vessels.
Broccoli
This type of cabbage also allowed during breastfeeding. Broccoli is hypoallergenic, contains vitamins A and B, and is easily absorbed by the child’s body.
An average head of cabbage (608 g) contains:
- folic acid - 382 mg;
- ascorbic acid - 542 mg;
- vitamin K - 618 mg.
Beneficial properties of broccoli:
- detoxifies;
- improves blood composition;
- strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
- calms the nervous system, improves mood.
Beijing
Chinese cabbage, a subspecies of turnip, contains vitamins A, C, PP, group B, carotene.
The vegetable restores the body after pregnancy, strengthens the defenses, and due to its low calorie content (16 kcal per 100 g) helps reduce weight, which is important after childbirth.
Which cabbage is not recommended to eat?
Is it possible to have white cabbage during breastfeeding and when exactly? It is gradually introduced into the diet only 4–6 weeks after birth. The fact is that the vegetable can cause increased gas formation in an infant, which will lead to colic and other gastrointestinal problems.
Important! A product made from kelp, also called seaweed, is prohibited during breastfeeding due to its high allergenicity. Algae should be included in the diet of a nursing mother no earlier than 5 weeks after birth.
What's the best way to eat
The method of preparing vegetables is of great importance.
Fresh
Can a nursing mother eat fresh cabbage? All varieties of the crop are rich in fiber, which is not absorbed by the body and, in its raw form, often causes bloating and increased gas formation. For a baby, such symptoms are painful. His digestive system has not yet formed, so it is susceptible to the negative effects of fresh food.
Boiled
This is the best cooking option. It is best to include the product in your diet as part of a soup, adding a small amount of cabbage leaves to the broth. However, in this case, risks for mother and baby cannot be excluded:
- allergic reactions due to individual intolerance to the product;
- bloating;
- flatulence.
If there are no negative reactions after the mother eats soup with cabbage, boiled and stewed cabbage is added to the menu. First, broccoli and cauliflower are introduced, then Beijing and cabbage.
Pickled
Sauerkraut Contraindicated for a nursing mother. It is added to the diet no earlier than 8 weeks after birth.
In addition to allergic reactions, this dish causes the following negative consequences:
- spices in the composition increase colic, lead to dehydration, and in some cases - to poisoning;
- dehydration of the mother's body reduces breast milk production;
- the increased acidity of the product has a bad effect on the child’s immature digestive system.
This is interesting:
Is it possible to eat onions while breastfeeding?
Conclusion
The main danger of eating cabbage during lactation is associated with allergic reactions due to individual intolerance to the product, bloating and flatulence. However, these symptoms do not always occur.
It all depends on the type of vegetable and the method of its preparation. If you follow the recommendations for introducing the product into the diet, it will not harm either the mother or the baby.