Breastfeeding the baby comes with many health benefits, but most importantly, it is crucial as it conjoins the mother and the baby with love, tenderness, a unique feel, etc. The mother’s milk has all the antibodies that help in fighting infection and are suitable for the healthy growth and development of the baby. Turmeric is an antiseptic and is used in almost all Indian households to keep all sorts of illnesses and viruses away. Turmeric is a powerful herb that is beneficial for all age groups. Read on to know more about turmeric while breastfeeding.
However, taking turmeric, for the rest of the year vs. at the time of breastfeeding is a debate. As per several medical research conducted in this field, consumption of turmeric is an ideal and secure option while breastfeeding as it makes the immune system stronger and keeps one healthy.Let us read the health benefits, side effects, the dosage of turmeric, its safety for consumption at the time of breastfeeding, the ways to include it in the diet, etc.
In This Article
- What Is Turmeric?
- Health Benefits of Turmeric While Breastfeeding
- Is Turmeric While Breastfeeding Safe For Your Baby?
- Turmeric While Breastfeeding: Are There Any Side Effects?
- Turmeric While Breastfeeding: How Much Is Safe?
- How To Select and Store Turmeric?
- How To Incorporate Turmeric While Breastfeeding?
- FAQ’s
What Is Turmeric?
Turmeric, also referred to as the ‘Queen of Spices,’ has a pungent smell, a sharp taste, and yellowish golden in color. It is quite predominant on account of its antioxidant, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic (interfere with the mutation), and anti-carcinogenic (fights cancer) features.
This spice adds a taste of its own to almost all Indian dishes. Turmeric is enriched with minerals, vitamins, proteins as well as other nutrients. This even has many medicinal advantages when taken in the right quantity during the lactation period.
Health Benefits of Turmeric While Breastfeeding
Turmeric is a vital element for Indian cooking and has many healthy properties as well. Its consumption has added benefits for all, even if it is for the breastfeeding mother. Some of the common health benefits of its consumption during the lactation period are as below:
1. Helps To Boost Immunity
Turmeric contains antiviral, antifungal, and antibacterial properties that help to boost immunity levels and offer protection against cold, cough, and even flu while feeding the newborn baby.
2. Helps Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation in the breasts, swelling or blocked mammary glands make it uncomfortable for both the mother and the baby. Consuming turmeric during the lactation phase helps to reduce inflammation and makes feeding a smooth experience.
3. Minimizes Cholesterol
High cholesterol in the body can trigger many health issues, but consuming turmeric during the nursing phase helps to control the cholesterol levels and helps in the prevention of heart ailments.
4. Helps Prevent Osteoarthritis
Due to its antioxidant properties, it nullifies the free radicals. It is the free radicals that bring about the damage of the cells in the joints. Therefore, the consumption of turmeric prevents inflammation in joints and even reduces the pain of osteoarthritis.
5. Helps in Controlling Weight
Turmeric helps to control the weight of the body, helps in preventing weight gain and reduces obesity, etc. It is thus advisable to have turmeric after meals to be able to regulate the weight of the lactating mother.
6. Promotes Digestion
Consumption of turmeric triggers the production of bile, fosters digestion, and reduces gastric symptoms. Post-delivery most women face issues with digestion. Therefore, it is very important to include turmeric in the post-pregnancy diet.
7. Prevents Liver Disease
Turmeric is also a natural detoxifier. It is capable of preventing the accumulation of toxins in the body. Turmeric urges the liver to produce hormones that break down toxins and eliminate them from the body. It even helps to increase blood transmission during the lactation period, and that is good for their health as well.
8. Acts as a Natural Painkiller
After delivery, you experience different types of aches and pains. Most of these discomforts hinder your lactating phase as you have to sit in the same position for a longer time while breastfeeding the baby. Intake of turmeric during the lactating phase is an excellent remedy to bring down the discomforts and “stiffness.”
Is Turmeric While Breastfeeding Safe For Your Baby?
Consumption of turmeric is completely safe during the lactation period. But one should consume this herb in smaller and apt quantities by using it in the preparation of the dishes. It is best to avoid any supplements for turmeric, though.
Never have an excess of turmeric as it can end up drying the milk and even lead to reduced lactating properties. It is advisable always to consult a doctor to prevent dry and flaky skin, dry mouth, reduced lactation, etc.
Turmeric While Breastfeeding: Are There Any Side Effects?
Turmeric, as stated earlier, is safe to be consumed during breastfeeding as it helps to boost immunity levels and prevents all infections as well.
Yet there are a few side effects that one must be aware of as well and they are listed as under:
- Turmeric, if taken plainly, can be a threat to pregnancy if taken in medicinal quantity.
- It can lead to the stimulation of the uterus as well.
- It can even lead to irritation in the stomach, diarrhea, gastric troubles, dehydration, etc.
Turmeric While Breastfeeding: How Much Is Safe?
If a doctor is consulted concerning the required dosage of turmeric, he would advise as per the weight, age, and medical history, and in general, 30-95 drops of extracts of turmeric are recommended for adults.
- The breastfeeding mother can have turmeric as a spice but should refrain from any tinctures.
- As per some studies, turmeric is safe to be taken as a spice by breastfeeding mothers but should not be given to any mother who has bleeding issues or any allergies.
How To Select and Store Turmeric?
There are essentially two kinds of turmeric: dried rhizome and turmeric powder. Other items, like essential oil and curry powder, are derived from any of the two types. It is of the utmost importance to get organic items from a trusted source.
Here are some things to consider while selecting and storing turmeric.
Tips for Choosing the Right Turmeric
Where and how Turmeric grows matters when it comes to reaping all the health benefits of turmeric:
- Try to choose organic turmeric
- For the best results, choose turmeric with thick, brown skin and a firm root.
- Turmeric that is wrinkled, squishy, or moldy should be avoided.
- Fresh turmeric will snap apart easily
- Apart from color, the aroma is also an indicator of quality
The Proper Method for Storing Turmeric
- If you want to keep your fresh turmeric for as long as possible, leave it unpeeled.
- To preserve freshness, give it a quick wash to get rid of any grime, then store it in an airtight container or plastic bag.
- It is essential to keep Turmeric properly in an airtight container and out of direct sunlight, as it contains curcuminoids, which degrade when exposed to light.
How to Freeze Turmeric
Keep for up to six months in the freezer.
- Brush off any debris, then wash and pat dry the turmeric.
- Store the turmeric in an airtight container or freezer bag if you do not intend to use it immediately after peeling.
- If desired, it can be cut into bite-sized pieces for easier handling. Frozen turmeric can be grated, sliced, or minced directly from the freezer.
How To Incorporate Turmeric While Breastfeeding?
Turmeric is, no doubt, an ideal choice to be given to the nursing mother to accrue the benefits from its consumption. Let us now see how turmeric can be incorporated for boosting immunity levels and maintaining healthy growth and development as well.
- Turmeric tea is the ideal way of consuming it while breastfeeding. You can make it by infusing the grated root of turmeric or even powder in boiling water.
- Use it liberally in the curries and stir-fries.
- It’s recommended that breastfeeding women incorporate turmeric milk in their diets because of its many health benefits.
- Studies have shown that when used as a spice, it is completely safe for the nursing lady. It also has many additional benefits.
Thus, the natural herb, which is also a powerhouse of nutrients like minerals, vitamins, and proteins, can have great benefits for a breastfeeding mother.. This is an incredible choice to be made during lactation, but the herb should be ingested in moderation and consult a doctor in case one finds any exceptions.
FAQ’s
1. Can Turmeric Reduce Milk Supply?
Turmeric is considered a galactagogue for ages. But there is no clinical evidence for this. In the same way, there is no scientific evidence that eating turmeric decreases milk supply. It is always better to eat a small amount of natural turmeric every day. Excessive amounts of Turmeric affect milk supply in some moms. Just keep an eye on your milk supply. If you notice a change, you might want to cut back on how much you drink.
2. Can I Have Turmeric Supplements While Breastfeeding?
Eating a moderate amount of turmeric, either via food or orally, is the best way to ensure your safety while using this potent spice. It is better to avoid using turmeric supplements since the specific consequences of consuming them are not yet completely understood. It is in your best interest to steer clear of them at this delicate time in your life.
