Breastfeeding can be challenging for some nursing mothers and it does not depend on the size of the breast. Here are some ideas to try based on experience as well as from feedback from other nursing mothers. It is important to consult your doctor before consuming any of these food as these are just recommendations based on feedback from several nursing mothers
Firstly, it is scientifically proven that supply of breastmilk depends on how much the baby sucks the breast as well as how much fluids the mother consumes. However, there are times when a mother feels she is not producing sufficient milk for the baby.
In some other countries, some nursing mothers take mother’s milk tea or swallow herbal tablets like Fenugreek and Blessed Thistle but in Nigeria, certain foods are believed to help to stimulate better milk production for lactating mothers. There is ongoing research what these foods actually do to the body to stimulate but here are some options to try with your doctor’s consent anyway. These foods are called galactagogues and be warned that these foods may lead to weight gain.
Pap: Some nursing mothers believe that drinking a lot of pap can lead to more breast milk especially if taken early in the morning and late at night. This seems to be the staple food for nursing mothers in Nigeria. There has to be something special about this fluid made from maize and sometimes from millet and guinea corn
Kunu: This is another drink made from grains like guinea corn, millet, tiger nuts and a little bit of sweet potatoes. The drink also contains sugar and some ginger.
Pepper Soup: Here is a dish that is widely enjoyed all over Nigeria. It is also served to nursing mothers and is believed to help with milk production.
Palm wine: Drinking freshly tapped palm wine is believed to help with milk production and has been used locally to achieve this. Remember though that alcohol is not recommended for your baby, therefore ensure that palm wine has not fermented as it is believed that freshly tapped alcohol has little or no alcohol while the fermented palm wine has much alcohol in it. Also, drink the palm wine from a source you trust to avoid food poisoning
Other food items: Including these food items as part of your meal or snack is also recommended. They include oatmeal, almonds, tigernuts, spinach, alfalfa, garlic and carrots