Is it possible to have melon while breastfeeding, how to choose it correctly and how much to eat

The main question for pregnant and nursing mothers is: what can you eat while breastfeeding, and what should you avoid? Pediatricians have different opinions, which makes nursing mothers even more confused. Is it possible to eat melon during lactation? And if so, what are its benefits, norms of use and rules for introducing it into the diet - our article is devoted to the answers to these questions.

Is it possible to eat melon while breastfeeding?

Young mothers often make a typical mistake - they limit or completely exclude certain foods from their diet, for fear of harming the child. A friend and mother say one thing, a pediatrician says another, and on the forums they write a third. It’s easy to get confused in this, but making the right decision is much more difficult.

During lactation, you provide your baby with many nutrients, including protein, vitamins, sugar, phosphorus and calcium. During this period, your body experiences a huge need for vitamins, minerals and protein. Eating only buckwheat, boiled chicken and carrots will lead to a lack of components in the body and can lead to cessation of lactation. You may even lose your hair and teeth. Not to mention that it's monotonous diet gets boring quickly.

Attention! The World Health Organization says you can eat most foods you're used to as long as your baby doesn't have allergies and his digestive system is normal.WHO not only does not prohibit the introduction of melons into the diet, but even insists on melon. After all, its fragrant and juicy pulp contains a huge amount of nutrients and beneficial substances that have a beneficial effect on the health of a nursing mother.

Acceptability of use depending on the age of the baby

During breastfeeding, the baby's body becomes familiar with the biochemical composition of foods. And the more varied the mother’s diet, the less likely it is to develop allergic reactions in the future.

Pediatricians recommend introducing melon into the mother’s diet gradually, starting at three months of age. baby. By this time, his digestive system will become stronger and the likelihood of a negative reaction will decrease.

In the future, you can increase the amount of product to a norm that is comfortable for mother and child. Children can be given melon from the age of two.

Read also: is it possible to eat melon on an empty stomach.

The benefits of melon for nursing mothers and babies

Sweet pulp contains:

• silicon, iron, zinc, cobalt, manganese, copper;
• sodium, chlorine, sulfur, calcium, potassium;
• vitamins A, B, C, E, PP, beta-carotene;
• enzymes that improve digestion;
• monosaccharides;
• fiber;
• organic and fatty acids.

Eating melon during lactation increases milk flow, since it contains 90% water, prevents the deposition of salts in the kidneys, and removes toxins.

Iron and vitamin C normalize hematopoietic processes and increase hemoglobin levels. Beta-carotene stimulates the immune system and reduces the risk of cancer. Vitamin C relieves inflammation and tones the skin.

High levels of serotonin improve the mood of mother and baby.Vitamin B8 of youth and growth prevents the development of atherosclerosis, removes cholesterol, regulates the functioning of spinal cord cells, and increases the sensitivity of nerve fibers. A pleasant bonus that every woman will appreciate is increased hair growth.

Fiber and enzymes improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, help increase the number of lactic acid bacteria, normalize weight and remove excess fluid.

When eating melon while breastfeeding, the deficiency of folic acid is compensated, which is responsible for the proper development of the child’s immune, circulatory and nervous systems.

Zinc and silicon have an antioxidant effect, promote skin regeneration, stimulate the production of elastin and collagen. After childbirth, the skin quickly regains its firmness and elasticity.

Magnesium is responsible for the functioning of the cardiovascular and muscular systems, normalizes sleep, and eliminates cramps.

Contraindications

Direct contraindications for consuming melon during lactation include:

• allergic manifestations in mother and child;
• stomach and duodenal ulcers, gastritis, pancreatitis (in mother);
• urolithiasis disease.

For diabetes mellitus, melon consumption should be limited, but not completely eliminated, since it contains fructose, which is not contraindicated for diabetics. It is not advisable to eat melon after the main meal; it should not be combined with milk and soda.

Standards of use

Regarding melon, it is worth remembering the rules of separate nutrition and eating it fresh in small pieces as a separate dish. During lactation, it is recommended to consume no more than 300 g per week and focus on your own feelings and the condition of the baby. If no obvious problems arise, the rate is increased gradually.

How to properly introduce melon into your diet

Melon pulp is classified as a product that can cause an allergic reaction. Therefore, pediatricians recommend following certain rules when introducing melon into the diet of a nursing mother.

Included in the menu from the third month of lactation. The first portion is no more than 50-100 g. This is enough for the baby’s body to become familiar with the biochemical composition of the fetus.

This is interesting: which is more useful - melon or watermelon?

Before eating a piece, make sure that the child is healthy and nothing is bothering him. Do this in the morning, if the baby is capricious during the day, it will be easier to identify the cause of the anxiety. If there are no allergies or intestinal colic, you can eat another small portion the next day.

If you experience a negative reaction to a new product, remove the product for two weeks. If the symptoms recur this time, give up melon for 1-2 months.

Important! When introducing melon into your diet, try not to experiment with other new foods.

Rules for choosing quality melon

Eat fresh melon only at the height of the season, and marshmallows, candied fruits and compote in winter. Early fruits are oversaturated with nitrates, which penetrate into the child's body through mother's milk, causing intoxication.

To protect yourself and your baby, adopt a few rules for choosing a quality product:

1. Do not buy melon that has been cut into pieces. Bacteria quickly penetrate into the pulp.
2. The fruits must be free of damage and dark spots. Green spots on the peel indicate that the melon is not ripe or is full of nitrates.
3. Smell, the fruit should exude a sweet honey or vanilla aroma.
4. Press your fingers onto the surface of the melon; if dents remain, do not buy. She's overripe.
5. Click your fingers on the surface, if the sound is dull, feel free to take it.
6. The peel color of a quality product varies from light yellow to deep orange.
7. A ripe melon has a dry tail and a soft nose.
8. Avoid buying melons on the roadside. The fruits quickly absorb car exhaust and other harmful substances. Get poisoned. It is better to buy it at markets or supermarkets.

Conclusion

Breastfeeding is an important and responsible period in the life of mother and child. Of course, the choice of food products should be approached from the point of view of safety and health benefits for the body.

Considering that melon is not on the list of foods prohibited during lactation, according to WHO standards, do not refuse to eat it just because your friends did so. Follow the recommendations of pediatricians, introduce the product into the menu gradually, observe your baby’s reaction and enjoy the healthy fruit without fear.