Is it possible to sugar when breastfeeding?

During lactation, women often have a need for a sweet tooth. This is easily explained - the body spends a lot of energy on the production of nutritious and healthy milk, and sweet food makes up for it the best. Sugar, in particular, contains simple carbohydrates, which are quickly split into energy and feed the body under stress.

Of course, it is impossible to abuse the product during breastfeeding, since the child may experience diathesis and other problems. In many cases, the usual granulated sugar is easy to replace with other products that will satisfy the mother’s need for delicacy.

The composition of granulated sugar

Before evaluating the benefits or harm of sugar, you must understand what it is made of.

The pure product is sucrose, which combines fruit (fructose, glucose) and milk (lactose) sugar.All these components are responsible for the normal functioning of the organisms of the mother and baby.

Lactose, for example, saturates colostrum and breast milk with a large amount of carbohydrates, and also normalizes the development of the natural intestinal microflora, which prevents dysbacteriosis and colic. Milk sugar also provides calcium absorption, which is so necessary for the development of the skeletal and muscular system of the baby, its teeth. Lactose also contributes to the absorption of iron, various vitamins of group B. The derivative of the component of galactose directly influences the formation and strengthening of the brain substance in the infant.

In spite of all these valuable properties, crystalline sugar, which we buy in stores, is being gradually processed by chemical components. Unfortunately, in most cases, there is almost no carbohydrates in it, and the lactose content is minimized. Such a product is very difficult to assimilate even by the maternal organism, not to mention the weakly developed children's stomach. Over-saturation with sugar can lead to endocrine disruption - for example, a decrease in glucose tolerance.

There is only one conclusion: during lactation, it is not so much the sugar itself that is in its pure form that is important as its carbohydrate component (lactose, fructose and glucose). And they, by the way, are abundantly found in fruits, berries, vegetables and dairy products.

The benefits of sugar during lactation

During breastfeeding, the product performs the following important functions.

1. Increases the level of "hormones of happiness" - serotonin and endorphin. The latter eliminate the feeling of physiological and psychological fatigue, relieve headaches and other cramps, improve the quality of sleep. Having fed the baby with sweet milk, you can expect him to be more calm at night and during the day.
2. Normalizes the liver. Sugar improves its filtering function, which allows the body to get rid of toxins, metabolites and poisons.
3. Promotes the absorption of vitamins and trace elements by female and childish organisms.
4. Calms the nervous system. Sweet tea is the best remedy for nerves, depression and increased excitability. If a child cries for several days without a reason, he may not have enough sugar components.
5. Improves lactation.Sweet milk has to taste the baby, thereby restoring the normal sucking reflex. The crumb is fed up with it and receives the necessary energy for the knowledge of the world.
6. Stimulates the brain. Sucrose has a positive effect on the work of the cerebral hemispheres, which are also responsible for the concentration and attention of the child, fine motor skills, his ability to absorb and process information, overall development and socialization.
7. Charges the body "fast" energy. Simple carbohydrates in the composition of sugar are split almost instantly, which gives a powerful release of energy.

Some mothers deliberately avoid sugar consumption during breastfeeding, for fear of children's diathesis and, of course, a set of extra pounds. Doctors categorically prohibit the complete exclusion of sugar from the diet for the following reasons:

1. Appears chronic fatigue and loss of strength, drowsiness.
2. The brain slows down, which leads to impaired attention and memory impairment.
3. Disturbed blood flow in the spinal cord.
4. In the vascular system, sclerotic changes develop (density and fragility increase, elasticity decreases).

What to replace

Since crystalline granulated sugar does not contain the required amount of carbohydrates and lactose, it is advisable to replace it with natural sources of these components: fruits and dried fruits, berries and vegetables, dairy and dairy products.

As a food additive, the spice can be replaced with other options.

1. Cane sugar. Unlike the usual, it contains both the B vitamins, and minerals, and the necessary level of carbohydrates. During lactation, it is considered harmless and easily digestible, so it does not "litter" the vulnerable children's digestive system.
2. Fructose. Mene is a high-calorie version of a dietary supplement, which is also easily digested. For sweets, it differs little from sucrose and is even suitable for diabetics.
3. Stevia A vegetable version of a sweetener that satisfies the need for sweets and does not stress the digestive tract.

When choosing a sucrose substitute for breastfeeding, avoid the following options: aspartame, xylitol, saccharin, sorbitol, cyclomate, and other synthetic additives.It is almost not absorbed by the child's body, clog it with slags and metabolites. Aspartame, moreover, is broken down into methyl alcohol, a pure poison for the body. Cyclomat has long been banned by European countries. Saccharin is perfectly absorbed into milk, but is practically not digested by the stomach, which can make the whole digestive system "become".

Restrictions to use

How much sugar can be consumed during lactation can be calculated by the mother herself, observing the reaction and behavior of the infant. Symptoms that indicate an excess of sugar in the diet of the crumbs: gaziki and colic, increased tearfulness, rejection of breast milk, restless sleep, diathesis (redness and rash on the body).

What is harmful sugar for the mother and child:

1. Disruption of the endocrine organs, slowing metabolism.
2. The deterioration of the oral cavity (simple carbohydrates - an ideal medium for the reproduction of disease-causing agents, including carious bacteria).
3. It flushes out calcium, causing teeth and bones to suffer.
4. Increases the acidity of the environment of the oral cavity.
5. The risk of developing candidiasis in mothers and children.
6. The probability of diathesis (food allergies) in infants.
7. Redeployment of body weight mom and baby.
8. The risk of impaired glucose tolerance, the development of gestational or diabetes mellitus.
9. Digestive disorders in the baby (colic and flatulence, constipation, pain).
10. Overexcitement of the nervous system, which affects the quality of sleep and the duration of sleep of the child.

A common symptom is sugar allergy. On the skin of the crumbs, there is redness, rash and slight swelling. The baby is worried about itching and burning, as a result of which he will supposedly cry for no reason all day. Most often diathesis occurs in infants during the first 3 months of lactation.

Responsible mother should understand that, together with milk, sugar enters the body of the crumbs and produces both positive and negative effects on it. That is why it is necessary to control the use of sugar and the dosage, carefully look at the reaction of your little one, and in case of problems, replace the dietary supplement with another component.

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