Can a lemon be breastfed?

Lemon is a long-recognized favorite among fruits. Its usefulness is beyond doubt. The refreshing taste of lemon invigorates in the winter, and in the summer heat it relieves from strong thirst. It is not by chance that at the first sign of a cold everyone immediately recalls hot tea with lemon. After all, this fruit contains a lot of useful components, and especially a lot of vitamin “C” in it, which plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune resources of the body.

Some fans of this exotic fruit use it in its pure form, despite its very sour taste - after all, without honey and sugar, the fruit is even healthier. Therefore, lemon is considered a necessary product for inclusion in the diet. He is happy to eat adults and children. But with regard to lactating mothers, the opinion is ambiguous, because there are some nuances in this issue.Let's try to figure out how lemon is compatible with breastfeeding.

Useful qualities

Although citrus fruits are mostly forbidden for women when fed naturally, this restriction does not apply to lemons. After all, lemon is a natural source of vitamins and many other useful components that the human body really needs. The combination of useful elements concentrated in this tropical fruit regulates many vital processes. Here are just some of its characteristics:

1. Saturation of ascorbic acid allows you to positively influence the state of the immune system.
2. Antioxidant properties help cleanse the body of toxins and toxins.
3. The ability to improve the elastic properties of the vascular walls make lemons the best prophylactic against varicose diseases and thrombophlebitis.
4. Fruit improves the contractility of the heart muscle.
5. Stimulating intestinal motility, lemon copes with constipation.
6. The body of the mother and baby is very in need of calcium, which is quite a lot in the fruit.
7. Lemon improves the nutritional value of breast milk.
8. Fruit is able to replace salt due to its specific taste.
9. The low calorie content of the product allows women to eat it without fear of increasing their own weight.
10. The ability to influence the metabolic processes makes lemons the main assistant in the fight for a slim figure.

But, of course, the main advantage of a tropical fruit is the prevention of colds and viruses. The female body after childbirth and the body crumbs really need such protection. Therefore, when breastfeeding lemons will be useful for both mother and baby.

What can cause harm to lemon

It should be immediately noted that all the negative reactions in the use of lemons are possible only with excessive enthusiasm for this product. If you comply with the measure, the risks are minimal. But still, when you turn on an exotic fruit in the menu, this factor must also be taken into account. There are three main risks:

1. Allergic manifestations in infants. Typically, the reaction of such characters due to improper storage of the fruit and their long-term transportation to the consumer. So that the fruits do not spoil, the harvest of lemons is removed at their incomplete ripeness.Then they are treated with means to ensure the safety of fruit. These chemical compounds are factors that trigger the development of allergies. To avoid a negative effect, it is necessary to thoroughly wash the fruit before use, and to eliminate all risks, it is recommended to cut the peel. If these precautions are not allowed to prevent an allergy reaction, then mommy is better not to eat lemons while breastfeeding the baby.
2. Upset stool in a child. Since the digestive system in babies is unstable, any new product can cause diarrhea, intestinal colic, and increased gas formation. Lemons increase motility, which is a positive quality for the mother's body. But for a baby this property of exotic fruits is extremely undesirable. Therefore, mom should be very careful in introducing any food into the diet, including lemons.
3. Digestive dysfunction in mom. After childbirth, the maternal organism is rebuilt, therefore chronic gastritis, ulcers and other gastrointestinal problems can be aggravated. Therefore, if a woman has such problems, one should be very careful to include foods such as lemon in the diet.The composition of the fetus contains substances that stimulate the production of gastric secretion, and may well lead to an exacerbation of chronic processes of the stomach and intestines. In such situations, you should abandon the lemon.

Rules for introducing lemons into the diet of a nursing mother

Considering all the above risks, it is necessary to supplement the menu with lemon with strict observance of the following recommendations:

1. For the first time, it is necessary to introduce the fetus into the diet only after the baby is three months old from the moment of birth.
2. Eat fresh fruit should start with the minimum dose - 1 wedge per reception, then this amount can be gradually increased.
3. It is better to first diversify the diet by adding lemon juice to tea or water.
4. At the first signs of intestinal discomfort in the baby or skin reaction, the lemon is immediately excluded from the mom's menu.
5. If the innovation is not accompanied by side effects, the dose gradually increases, but it should not exceed 50 grams per day.
6. When adding lemon to tea, you must also take into account the quality of tea leaves, as allergies can be caused by tea additives.

Compliance with these simple measures will significantly reduce all negative risks.

Lemon Secrets

There are several subtleties of eating lemons. Knowing these secrets, it will be possible to get the maximum benefit from this product and get true pleasure from its use.

Supporters of good nutrition are advised to eat fresh citrus fruit. But for a change, you can add lemon zest to baked goods or to jam. Although in the period of naturally feeding, it is more valued fresh fruit.

A few tips that will be useful for lactating women:

1. Since boiling water destroys the main valuable component - ascorbic acid, you should add lemon to the already slightly cooled drink.
2. If you add fresh lemon juice to drinking water, you can get a great tonic. To improve the taste, it is recommended to add some honey and mint to the drink (if these additives do not cause allergies in the infant). Such a refreshing cocktail will give strength and vitality.
3. If a woman has dental problems, then it is better to add lemon juice to salads, drinks or sauces.This precaution is dictated by the fact that lemon juice itself is very aggressive, and therefore it destroys tooth enamel.

Summing up, it is safe to say that with a reasonable approach, lemon is useful for mother and baby. This affordable fruit with a bright taste will enrich the diet and have a positive impact on their health.

Video: what fruits can be nursing mom