Can chocolate be breastfed?

When a woman breastfeeds a baby, her body requires a lot of glucose. This is because glucose plays a large role in the production of milk by the body. For this reason, mommy has a desire to eat more sweets to compensate for the lack of this substance. In order to satisfy this desire, I always want to eat foods containing sugar. These are desserts, sweet pastries, dried fruits, ice cream. Pediatricians also recommend that this period be limited to sweet tea.

One of the most delicious and healthy options for filling the lack of glucose is chocolate. Let us consider in more detail the usefulness of its use. Can I use it at all, and what are the contraindications?

Use of the product during the feeding period

1. Contains antioxidants. High quality natural chocolate contains cocoa beans.Also, it must be present cocoa butter. In addition, chocolate, depending on its type, contains a certain amount of sugar. This product, subject to high quality, contains antioxidants. There are more of them than green tea, which is famous for its antioxidant properties. They are very important for each person, and especially for women in this period. These substances support heart health, prevent early aging processes in the body. They also fight free radicals that cause many dangerous diseases.
2. The source of glucose. When the body lacks this substance, it can lead to unpleasant symptoms. Headache begins, mood deteriorates, mental and physical activity decreases. After giving birth, the female body is already weakened by many stresses. She is not only physically exhausted, but also spends a lot of energy on caring for the little one, gets used to the role of the mother. Eating foods containing glucose, including chocolate, will help support the body during this difficult period.
3. Improves mood. Everyone knows that eating chocolate contributes to the production of endorphin. This hormone brings a feeling of happiness, increases efficiency. Young mother will benefit from this feature. The main thing is that the product is natural, because it is very important not to harm health, especially during the feeding period. Do not overdo it, because this product has its own contraindications. To overcome fatigue and stress, a young mother needs to eat a quarter of a tile a day.

Product Harm

1. Allergies are possible. If a nursing mother eats chocolate, there is a chance that the baby will develop an allergic reaction to it. It is advisable to refrain from using the product in the first three months. The body of a child just born is not adapted to many things that he encounters in the outside world. Therefore, the choice of products mom should be approached with extreme care, so as not to harm the baby.
2. Non-natural product. When buying any products today, you should be especially careful. More and more chemicals are used in food production.Often we do not know how the body will react to a particular component. The same goes for chocolate. Natural cocoa butter is increasingly replacing fats, the use of which is in doubt. A young mother, eating foods, is responsible not only for her health, but also for the health of the baby. Therefore, during this period, you should carefully consider the choice of product on the shelves. Read the labels, ask the sellers about the composition. After all, the quality of the products consumed during this period depends on health, and therefore the future of the child.
3. Addictive to chocolate. Dietitians can be told that excessive consumption of foods containing chocolate can lead to addiction and dependence on it. But according to the latest data from various studies conducted by scientists from different countries, in order to cause addiction, you need to eat more than 50 bars of chocolate every day. Therefore, the emergence of addiction should not be afraid. But we must not forget that, despite the benefits of the product, it has a lot of calories. Limit yourself to a few slices per day. Such a dose should not harm either the mother or the baby.
4. Harm to the teeth. There is sugar in the chocolate.As we have said, it is this component that a nursing woman needs to fill up the lack of glucose that is lost during milk production. But, like any other desserts, chocolate can adversely affect your teeth. You can prevent this harm. It is necessary after use of the product to clean the mouth and teeth, using special tools. Brush your teeth if you are at home. During the day it is convenient to use a special rinser or chewing gum.

Tips for eating chocolate during feeding

1. Pay attention to skin rashes. If a child has redness in some parts of the body (most often it is cheeks, tummy, buttocks), diarrhea has begun, it is necessary to abandon the use of the product, at least for a few days. After that, eat a small slice of chocolate, watching the reaction of the child's body. If the rash appears again, it means that the child is allergic to this product. In this case, you will have to abandon it for the entire period.
2. Choose high quality chocolate. If you are confused by the composition of the product, which is written on the packaging,better give it up. Too low price, too, should not attract you. A quality chocolate will have an appropriate price. Do not regret in this case means. After all, the quality of food depends on health. In addition, it will improve your mood, give energy. More benefit will bring bitter chocolate. It has more cocoa and fewer calories.
3. Consider the age of the baby. When the child is just born, mom is recommended to give up sweets. It is best if she does not eat chocolate for several months. After that, you can start to use chocolate a few grams per day, gradually increasing to 25 grams per day.
4. Start by eating chocolate in the morning. This should be done with all the products that a nursing mother enters into her diet. In this way, she will be able to follow the reaction of the infant's body during the day. But it is important to remember that the reaction may not appear immediately, it may take several days. If the crumb does not tolerate any other products, then his mother’s chocolate is better to start eating when he is 10 months old. Do not eat this product at night. It contains caffeine, which will cause excessive excitement.

Doctors do not prohibit chocolate nursing mothers, but talk about the possible consequences of its use. But you should not completely abandon this delicacy only for reinsurance. If a child does not have a negative reaction, you may well eat a little of this product a day. The main thing - do not forget about safety precautions, eat high quality food. This applies not only chocolate, but other products.

Video: Is it possible for a sweet nursing mom?