Garlic is commonly used as a cooking ingredient in multiple dishes. It possesses numerous health benefits due to which it is widely famous among people. Garlic is also increasingly being used as a dietary supplement. It is beneficial for heart-related diseases and high blood pressure.
Garlic has been used as a galactagogue for years in the Indian culture. But is it safe for consumption for mothers and their babies? It is a very common question that arises among new mothers whether including garlic in the meal is safe or not. Let us discuss in detail some facts about garlic.
Is Garlic Safe When Breastfeeding?
Yes, it is safe to have garlic when breastfeeding. Garlic has innumerable ways for the mother and the baby. In the traditional Indian context, garlic has been used as a compulsory addition to a new mother’s diet. Apart from keeping the mother healthy, it can also ensure proper breastfeeding by the baby.
In fact, garlic takes a place of pride among the top foods that Indian grandmothers recommend to boost breastmilk supply for new mothers.
Does Garlic Help In Increasing Breast Milk Supply?
Yes, garlic does help in increasing breast milk supply.
Including garlic in your meal plan helps in various ways (1). but it is specifically good for nursing mothers. It works as a galactagogue when you include it in the diet of nursing mothers (2).
When a mother consumes garlic, its flavor comes in the milk which increases the sucking time of the infant acutely. Also, It may help broaden the food choices of breastfed infants in the long run.
It can be used to improve the quality and taste of breast milk (3). Garlic flavored milk increases sucking time and it helps in promoting lactation(4).
[Read: Using Fennel While Breastfeeding]
How To Consume Garlic When Breastfeeding?
You can add garlic to your daily diet. It can be added to gravies, curries, pasta consumed as a chutney and so on. Also, you can add two to three cloves to your meal.
Garlic can be consumed raw and in the cooked form but for nursing mothers, raw form is preferred due to its smell. Overcooking can kill the medicinal properties of garlic (5).
Nutritional Value of Garlic
Garlic has excellent nutritional properties which can contribute to overall health. Here is the nutritional value of garlic per garlic clove (6).
| Nutrients | Per 1 raw garlic clove (g) |
|---|---|
| Protein | 0.57 |
| Total fat | 0.04 |
| Carbohydrate | 2.98 |
| Energy | 13.41 |
| Sugars | 0.09 |
| Dietary fibre | 0.19 |
| Calcium | 16.29 |
| Iron | 0.15 |
| Magnesium | 2.25 |
| phosphorus | 13.77 |
| Potassium | 36.09 |
| Sodium | 1.53 |
| selenium | 1.28 |
| Lutein+Zeaxamthine | 2.34 |
| Vitamin C | 2.81 |
Benefits of Garlic For Breastfeeding Mothers
Garlic can be beneficial to breastfeeding mothers. Here are some ways in which breastfeeding mothers can benefit from eating garlic.
1. Galactagogue
Garlic is known to act as a natural galactagogue which means that it encourages the mammary glands to produce more breast milk.
2. Immunity
Garlic has quite a significance in traditional Indian medicine as an effective means to boost immunity. Regular consumption of garlic can keep you away from various diseases which is crucial during the breastfeeding stage (7).
3. Anti-microbial Properties
The anti-microbial properties of garlic keep you protected from various bacterial infections and diseases (8).
4. Heart Health
Regular consumption of garlic can lower cholesterol and hypertension and reduce the risk of the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases (9).
5. Anti-cancer Properties
The anti-cancer properties of garlic may keep you protected from various kinds of cancers (10).
Are There Any Side Effects Of Garlic On Breastfeeding Mothers?
No, There are no side effects of consuming garlic in the diet for mothers or infants. Research studies found no undue effects on the breastfeeding mother due to the intake of garlic. Garlic is one of the best foods for breastfeeding.
It is perfectly safe to use garlic while breastfeeding. As long as you consume it in moderation, it won’t harm at all (11).
But if you are allergic to garlic, you must avoid garlic when breastfeeding to avoid allergic reactions. Also, if you do not like the taste of garlic and are looking for alternatives, you can opt for foods like oatmeal to increase breast milk supply.
[Read: 5 Natural And Simple Ways To Increase Breast Milk]
How to Include Garlic in Diet to Increase Breast Milk?
Garlic is a versatile condiment you can add to your dishes in many ways. Garlic adds an excellent flavoring every dish it is added to.
- Boil a glass of milk with 3 to 4 gloves of garlic added to it. Drink warm.
- Stir fry 3 to 4 cloves of garlic in a tsp of sesame seed oil and consume it.
- Add garlic powder to sprinkle on your dishes, salads and savories.
- Make garlic chutneys or sauces.
- Make a home-made garlic pickle and add to your diet.
- Mix garlic paste with olive a to make a spread to use on breads.
- You can use garlic and garlic paste in your rice or curries.
When Should Breastfeeding Moms Avoid Garlic?
Garlic is safe to consume by mothers while breastfeeding. However, there are a couple of situations in which you may need to avoid garlic.
Do not consume garlic if you are allergic to it. Owing to its anti-platelet effects, garlic should be used cautiously by women who are at risk of bleeding.
Some babies may not tolerate the flavor of garlic in breast milk and may refuse to drink milk the moment they feel the flavor. In such cases, you may need to avoid garlic for a few days.
Some babies may also develop colic if the mother’s diet has garlic. If your baby has been suffering from colic or digestion-related issues, you may skip garlic for a few days to see if that helps (12).
In such situations, you can lean on other kitchen staples such as fenugreek to improve your breast milk supply.
Garlic cloves or garlic supplementation should be taken with the consultation of a dietitian or a doctor.
Does Garlic Affect The Breastfeeding Baby?
No, garlic does not negatively affect the baby. Consuming garlic while breastfeeding will be beneficial as your baby starts liking the taste of garlic in the milk.
It will help in enhancing the sucking capability of the baby which will promote lactation.
In some cases, a few babies may not like the taste of it and experience colic. In such cases, the mother can stop consuming garlic for a few days and see if it helps.
Can I Give Garlic To My Baby Directly?
Garlic should never be given to babies directly, they should get it only through breast milk. Never give garlic directly to your baby, even if you feel it is a very small quantity.
Garlic can be extremely beneficial to a breastfeeding mother. But remember to consume garlic in moderation only, if you and your baby can tolerate it. Never take garlic supplements unless specifically prescribed by your doctor. Garlic can be a wonderfully healthy addition to your daily diet but do avoid it if you or your baby have any issues with the consumption of garlic.
FAQ’s
1. Can Garlic Affect Breast Milk?
Yes, garlic positively affects breast milk. It enhances the production of breast milk and increases the sucking time of the baby. Consumption of garlic flavors breast milk and encourages the baby to drink more.
2. Can a New Mom Take Garlic?
Yes, a mother can consume garlic after delivering the baby. Garlic can help improve milk production and encourage the baby to have more milk.
3. Does Garlic Cause Gas in Breastfed Babies?
No, garlic does not hold the properties to produce gas in babies. But sometimes a few babies may suffer from colic due to garlic in breast milk.
References
- National Center For Complementary And Intergrative Health (NIH) – Garlic – https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic
- Foong SC, Tan ML, Foong WC, Marasco LA, Ho JJ, Ong JH. Oral galactagogues (natural therapies or drugs) for increasing breast milk production in mothers of non-hospitalised term infants. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 May 18;5(5):CD011505.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7388198/
- Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed®) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; 2006-. Garlic. [Updated 2023 Nov 15] – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501782/
- Directorate Medical and Health Service, Dadra and Nagar Haveli-Silvassa, India, Lactating Women http://vbch.dnh.nic.in/content/lactating-women
- Najman K, Sadowska A, Buczak K, Leontowicz H, Leontowicz M. Effect of Heat-Treated Garlic (Allium sativum L.) on Growth Parameters, Plasma Lipid Profile and Histological Changes in the Ileum of Atherogenic Rats. Nutrients. 2022 Jan 13;14(2):336 – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8779480/
- University of Rochester Medical Center, Health Encyclopedia,Garlic, raw, 1 cloves – https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=76&contentid=11215-4
- Arreola R, Quintero-Fabián S, López-Roa RI, Flores-Gutiérrez EO, Reyes-Grajeda JP, Carrera-Quintanar L, Ortuño-Sahagún D. Immunomodulation and anti-inflammatory effects of garlic compounds. J Immunol Res. 2015;2015:401630. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25961060/ (nih.gov)
- Kshirsagar MM, Dodamani AS, Karibasappa GN, Vishwakarma PK, Vathar JB, Sonawane KR, Jadhav HC, Khobragade VR. Antibacterial activity of garlic extract on cariogenic bacteria: An in vitro study. Ayu. 2018 Jul-Sep;39(3):165-168. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6454914/
- Banerjee SK, Maulik SK. Effect of garlic on cardiovascular disorders: a review. Nutr J. 2002 Nov 19;1:4. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC139960/
- Pandey P, Khan F, Alshammari N, Saeed A, Aqil F, Saeed M. Updates on the anticancer potential of garlic organosulfur compounds and their nanoformulations: Plant therapeutics in cancer management. Front Pharmacol. 2023 Mar 20;14:1154034. – https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10067574/
- Renjitha SA, Hemalatha G, International Journal of Medical and Health Research, A study to assess the effect of garlic preparation intake in promotion of breastfeeding among
postnatal mothers in a selected rural community area at Mangalore, Published: 07-05-2021, Volume 7, Issue 5, 2021, Page No. 01-03v- https://www.medicalsciencejournal.com/assets/archives/2021/vol7issue5/7-4-17-362.pdf - JULIE A. MENNELLA AND GARY K. BEAUCHAMP, Pediatric Research, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, The Effects of Repeated Exposure to GarlicFlavored Milk on the Nursling’s Behavior, Vol. 34, No. 6, 1993 https://e-lactancia.org/media/papers/AjoBF-PedRes1993.pdf
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