Until the baby is six months old, the staple food for the baby is breast milk. Therefore, every mother definitely wants her breast milk production to be smooth, so that the baby’s nutritional needs are met. Until the child is two years old, breast milk is also the main nutrient to support the baby’s growth and development. However, sometimes breast milk can be insufficient, drop, or even dry up on its own, making the mother worry that the child’s breast milk needs will not be sufficient. Fortunately, there are several healthy foods that are nicknamed breast milk boosters thanks to their content that will facilitate breast milk. One of these foods is katuk leaves, which have long been known by the Indonesian people for their benefits in increasing breast milk production.
Benefits of Katuk Leaves for Breast Milk
Katuk is a plant that is widely found in mainland Asia, this plant with the Latin name Sauropus androgynus L. Merr is used as a breast milk enhancer for breastfeeding mothers. Many people recommend consuming katuk leaves during breastfeeding. Especially for mothers who are busy working so they have to pump and store breast milk supplies while outside the home. The reason katuk leaves are good as breast milk boosters is because of their high lactagogum and prolactin content. Both are compounds that are effective in triggering more breast milk production and facilitating the flow of breast milk. It is advisable for breastfeeding mothers to consume katuk leaves regularly every day in order to get abundant breast milk for their children.
If you don’t like the smell and taste of katuk leaves, you can buy a number of ASI booster supplements that contain katuk leaf extract. In addition, this supplement must also be consumed regularly to get maximum results. However, to ensure its safety, you may also ask your doctor first about consuming katuk leaf supplements. The doctor will always be ready to provide the health advice needed via smartphone, anytime and anywhere.
Other Benefits of Katuk Leaves
Not only to facilitate breast milk, katuk leaves also have many other benefits. Such as to increase the immune system of mothers who have just given birth. After giving birth and breastfeeding, mothers will need extra energy. This is because mothers will experience lack of sleep and fatigue from taking care of newborns. When the body starts to get tired, health can be disturbed. If the mother’s health is disturbed, this can also make the baby sick. To prevent this from happening, it is recommended to consume katuk leaves in the daily menu. The calorie, protein, and carbohydrate content in katuk leaves will meet the nutritional needs of breastfeeding mothers. If the mother’s nutritional needs are met, the mother’s immune system will increase. As a result, viruses and bacteria will not easily attack the mother.
During breastfeeding, the mother’s nutrition will also be absorbed by the baby through breast milk, and without realizing it, there may be a decline in physical condition if the breastfeeding mother does not meet nutritional needs. One of them is that the calcium and iron content in the bones can decrease. If left untreated, the mother can experience brittle bones or osteoporosis. Fortunately, katuk leaves contain a lot of calcium, phosphorus, and iron. Each of these minerals can reach 2.8 percent. In addition, the iron content in katuk leaves is also greater than cassava and papaya leaves. So, katuk leaves will keep the mother’s bones and teeth strong.
