Being able to fulfill exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months is the dream of every mother. However, there are obstacles that can occur during the breastfeeding process, including low breast milk production. To overcome this, breastfeeding mothers can consume breast milk booster foods. Breast milk booster is a term for food that is believed to be able to smooth breast milk. In addition to smoothing, foods that are classified as breast milk boosters can also improve the quality of breast milk.
Various Breast Milk Booster Foods
In fact, low breast milk production is a common occurrence. However, this can make mothers have a dilemma between wanting to give additional formula milk for the sake of their baby’s nutritional adequacy, and wanting their babies to continue getting exclusive breast milk for 6 full months. Before deciding to give your baby formula milk, there’s no harm in trying the following breast milk booster foods:
- Spinach
Spinach is one type of vegetable that breastfeeding mothers can use as a breast milk booster. This green vegetable contains a lot of iron and is very good for breastfeeding mothers, especially those who experience heavy bleeding during childbirth. Low levels of iron in the blood have been shown to reduce breast milk production. Iron is an important component of hemoglobin, a protein that carries oxygen in the blood. Therefore, a lack of iron can reduce the supply of oxygen to the tissues, including the breast milk-producing glands in the breasts. This makes breast milk production less than optimal. - Chickpea
Another type of food that can be used as a breast milk booster is chickpea. In Indonesia, this food is often called Arab beans. Arab beans are rich in phytoestrogens that can stimulate the production of breast milk. Not only that, these beans are also high in protein which is useful for supporting optimal baby growth and development. - Almonds
All types of nuts can actually be used as breast milk boosters. However, almonds are among the best among the others. The content of essential fatty acids, protein, vitamin E, calcium, zinc, and iron in almonds can increase the production and quality of breast milk for babies. - Brown rice
The nutritional content of this breast milk booster is thought to support the work of hormones that are responsible for breast milk production. So, consuming brown rice is thought to help increase a mother’s breast milk production. In addition, brown rice is also higher in fiber so it is good to consume as a substitute or mixture of white rice, especially if breastfeeding mothers also want to lose weight after giving birth. - Oats
Oats contain a number of nutrients that can help increase breast milk production, such as fiber, calcium, iron, and vitamin B. Consuming oats regularly is also believed to reduce anxiety and depression. Breastfeeding mothers can consume oats as a breast milk booster if the decrease in breast milk production that the mother experiences is possibly caused by stress. - Garlic
This plant, which has become part of everyday cooking spices, can also be used as a breast milk booster. When a breastfeeding mother eats it, garlic will change the aroma and taste of breast milk. The aroma and taste of garlic, which are quite pungent, have been proven to make some babies breastfeed longer. Breastfeeding longer means that more breast milk will come out. This will automatically stimulate the body to produce more breast milk. However, it should be noted that this benefit is not seen in some babies. Some mothers even report that their babies easily get stomach aches when they eat a lot of garlic. - Fenugreek
Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), or often called klabet seeds, is one of the natural breast milk boosters that is good for consumption by breastfeeding mothers. Fenugreek has been proven effective in increasing breast milk production within 24-72 hours after consumption. Not only as a breast milk booster, these seeds which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids also have many other health benefits and are often used to treat coughs, sore throats, menstrual pain, and even diabetes. In addition to fenugreek, various other types of foods, such as fennel or alfalfa, can also be used to increase breast milk production, one of which is hindmilk.
There are many foods that are believed to be able to be used as breast milk boosters. These foods are basically rich in nutrients and good for the health of both mother and baby. Breastfeeding mothers may try these foods to increase breast milk production and quality. However, pay attention to whether these foods have side effects or not, and whether these foods trigger allergic reactions in mother and baby or not.
If a breastfeeding mother feels that consuming breast milk boosters does not increase breast milk production and the baby begins to show signs of insufficient breast milk, the mother should immediately consult a doctor. It is possible that this low breast milk supply is caused by a health problem that requires medical treatment.
