Coconut during breastfeeding and pregnancy

A tasty and healthy overseas fruit - coconut - for our compatriots has long gone beyond the category of wonders. Coconut flakes have become one of the most popular ingredients in the culinary industry. Coconut oil is actively used in pharmacy, and the nut itself has become a favorite fruit on the tables of many families.

In this article, we will take a detailed look at the benefits and harms of nuts during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Beneficial features

Coconut during breastfeeding will benefit both mother and baby if you follow some precautions, which we will discuss below. Now let’s look at all the benefits of coconut for pregnant women, nursing mothers and babies.

Medical experts recommend that the expectant mother eat nuts in limited quantities.

The fruit contains a huge amount of substances beneficial to humans. It contains an abundance of B vitamins, vitamin C, E, which are vital elements for mother and child. It also contains calcium and potassium, sodium and iron, which are necessary during pregnancy. These microelements contribute to the proper formation and development of the fetus, keep the pregnant woman’s body in good shape, help quickly recover after childbirth and contribute to the full development of the baby who is breastfed.

Coconut is able to activate the protective properties of the human body due to the presence of fatty acids. These acids, in turn, have a pronounced antiviral and antibacterial effect. Strengthening the immune system is a very important point during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Coconut pulp is a source of plant fibers that help relieve constipation during pregnancy. Fiber activates the intestines, eliminates stagnation, and helps better absorb nutrients from other foods.

Coconut pulp has a beneficial effect on the heart and blood vessels. Regular consumption of this nut removes harmful cholesterol from the body and makes blood vessels elastic.

Coconuts are an ideal snack for pregnant women and nursing mothers. They contain natural sugars. Therefore, nuts quickly saturate the body and give a person energy and strength.

The presence of sugars in coconut milk gives the drink a natural laxative effect on the intestines. Therefore, coconut milk during breastfeeding is a natural laxative that is safe for a nursing mother, unlike synthetic laxatives.

Coconut has a beneficial effect on the health of a person with a history of diabetes. The nut does not provoke a sharp jump in blood sugar levels. After eating coconut, insulin is produced slowly by the body. Thus, insulin production in the body gradually stabilizes.

The fruits are rich in phosphorus and manganese. These substances strengthen the human skeletal system and stimulate the baby’s growth.

The presence of iron in nuts at all stages of pregnancy and during breastfeeding saturates the body of both mother and child with the hemoglobin they need. Iron prevents anemia in mother and baby and stimulates lactation.

Coconut accelerates metabolic processes in the body, activates metabolism and helps burn excess weight. This effect of the nut is especially important for a woman after childbirth, when she needs to lose excess weight without depleting her body.

The antibacterial properties of coconut help prevent diseases of the urinary tract, kidneys and bladder.

Coconut oil is also used by women as a cosmetic product. It saturates the skin and hair with all the necessary nutrients, which is especially important during pregnancy, when the condition of the hair and skin deteriorates.

Regular consumption of this fruit will qualitatively improve vision, restore strength and give energy, regulate hormonal levels, and improve the condition of skin and hair.

Coconut quickly heals wounds, maintains the body's water balance at a normal level, prevents dehydration, normalizes intestinal function, strengthens the walls of blood vessels, increases immunity, cleanses the body of waste and toxins, improves blood, prevents kidney disease and gastritis, normalizes the functioning of the thyroid gland, reduces bad cholesterol, protects against infections and bacteria, relieves fatigue and tension.

How is coconut good for a nursing mother?

Coconut is a healthy product containing a large number of substances that have a beneficial effect on the body of a nursing mother:

• Lauric acid - fights infections, strengthens the immune system, supports the body's defenses.
• Antioxidants are substances that remove toxins from the body. This promotes rapid recovery after childbirth.
• Various acids improve the elasticity of vascular walls, which improves the functioning of the cardiovascular system.
• Iron is a substance that is involved in saturating the blood with oxygen. Eating coconut prevents the development of anemia, which means it promotes milk production.
• Potassium is a useful microelement that normalizes fluid levels in the body, prevents dehydration and swelling.

In addition, coconut contains substances that:

• improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• reduce cholesterol levels;
• normalize hormonal levels and reproductive function of the female body;
• improve vision;
• replenishes energy reserves;
• have a beneficial effect on the condition of the thyroid gland;
• improve kidney and liver function;
• actively promotes wound healing.

Rules for using coconut during lactation

Feeding the baby and eating coconut during this important period is simply necessary. After all, the nut contains valuable lauric acid, which is present in breast milk.

Many mothers are afraid to consume various overseas delicacies during lactation due to their allergenicity for the child’s body. But coconut is a successful exception and causes allergies extremely rarely.

The hypoallergenic properties of coconut allow it to be used as food for dietary nutrition and feeding of babies. The composition of coconut milk is 95% water, so this tasty and healing drink is perfectly absorbed by the body and does not cause digestive problems for both mother and child. But the nut contains not just water, but a sweet and tasty liquid that contains a whole storehouse of vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, etc.

But even the healthiest food or drink can turn harmful if consumed in excess. The dose of coconut pulp, flakes or coconut milk should also be calculated correctly, especially during the important period of breastfeeding.

So, a nursing mother should introduce coconut into her diet after 2-3 months after giving birth. You should drink no more than one glass of coconut milk or juice per day. But the glass must be divided into several doses. As for coconut pulp, you should consume no more than 50-100 grams of it when feeding, and no more than 30-40 grams of coconut flakes.

You should start introducing nuts into your diet gradually with minimal doses. We will talk about this more specifically in the next section.

Coconut milk and coconut water - what's the difference?

Coconut water is the liquid inside young coconut palm nuts. As the fruit ripens, drops of oil fall into the liquid, thus forming coconut milk. But milk can also be obtained artificially - by mixing coconut water with crushed nut pulp.

The main difference between the two drinks is the calorie content. 100 g of coconut water contains only 18.9 kcal, while the same amount of coconut milk contains 229.9 kcal. As you can see, the difference is significant. Breastfeeding women who are overweight prefer a more dietary drink. Coconut water contains fewer vitamins and minerals per unit volume, but it perfectly tones and quenches thirst. This is truly a feminine product. Thanks to its ability to reduce acidity in the body, coconut water prevents the appearance of “orange peel” in interesting places, improves the condition of the skin, hair and nails.

Coconut milk is a storehouse of vitamins and microelements during lactation, but you should not abuse it. After all, adding kilograms is of no use to you. However, for those who cannot tolerate animal protein, this drink is a must. After all, milk from a tropical nut is not inferior in its characteristics to its animal counterpart - cow's milk.

In terms of the composition of electrolytes, coconut water is close to blood plasma, and thanks to its sealed “packaging” it is sterile. Military field doctors took advantage of this property during the Vietnam War, successfully using the “paradise drink” for blood transfusions.

Coconut milk contains many beneficial substances, but due to its high calorie content, it can lead to weight gain.

Rules for introducing into the diet

Coconut, like any new product, is gradually introduced into the diet during breastfeeding. Unlike many overseas delicacies, which can only be consumed after 5-6 months of breastfeeding, you can try eating coconut when the baby is 2 months old.

For the first time, it is better for a mother to try only a small piece of coconut pulp or a quarter glass of coconut juice. After this, you should observe the reaction of the child’s body for two days. If no rashes appear on the baby’s body, the baby has normal bowel movements and his stomach does not bother him, then coconuts are safe for him, and you can safely enjoy them.

If you notice any problems with the baby’s intestines or an allergic rash, then the next time you can enjoy coconut only after 1-2 months.

Even if coconut does not cause any problems and you start consuming it calmly, it is very important not to overdo it. Remember about the natural laxative properties of the nut, because excessive consumption can cause stomach upset in the mother or child.

Calorie content and composition of coconut milk

In fact, coconut milk is a dietary and light product, and unlike watermelons or oranges, it will not cause colic or an allergic reaction in your baby.

It has been proven that coconut milk consumed by a nursing mother helps:

• improve lactation;
• improve the quality of reduced human milk;
• recover faster thanks to the lauric acid contained, which can suppress bacteria and viruses.

For many, the question of whether coconut is classified as a fruit is controversial, since some sources classify this palm fruit as a nut. However, this is not entirely true and the coconut is rather a fruit, since it does not have a seed inside the fruit. Its milk itself is a milky-whitish sweet liquid, which is extracted by squeezing the white pulp.

Natural vegetable liquid contains a lot of fat, but at the same time it is low in calories and is absorbed by the adult body more easily than milk of animal origin. There are 138 kcal per 100 g.

The ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates in the same amount of coconut milk looks like this:

In countries where palm trees grow, coconut milk is widely used for preparing various, including everyday dishes. The cost in the places where it is imported is quite high. This is a very valuable product, so the high price is justified.

It contains a number of useful minerals, vitamins and acids:

• lauric acid;
• folic acid;
• vitamins B, C, E;
• cellulose;
• phosphorus, magnesium, zinc, iodine;
• natural oils.

Harm and restrictions during pregnancy

During pregnancy, as well as during the critical period of breastfeeding, in rare cases, coconuts can be harmful.

Thus, medical experts do not recommend consuming such a delicacy for a woman who suffers from indigestion with a tendency to diarrhea. In this case, the natural laxative effect of eating coconut will make the problem even worse.

It is also not recommended to eat coconut for people prone to heart attacks, as well as those with individual intolerance to the nut. Although coconut causes an allergic reaction extremely rarely, these cases still exist, so during pregnancy you should be extremely attentive to yourself, since an allergic reaction in the mother can adversely affect the condition of the unborn baby.

Therefore, you should try such a fruit for the first time during pregnancy very carefully and from a small piece. If a skin rash, itching, irritation, sore throat or diarrhea appears, you will have to refuse the treat.

Tips for choosing and consuming coconut milk during breastfeeding

When choosing coconut milk, you should pay attention to the packaging or label and carefully study the information on it:

• expiration date - it should not be too long, as this indicates the presence of harmful preservatives in the product, and, of course, the product must be suitable;
• raw material composition - real coconut milk must contain coconut pulp and water. If the composition contains other components, then it is better not to purchase such a product;
• additional additives - the composition should not contain the carcinogen E224, which negatively affects human health.

It is better to purchase coconut milk in a small package, since once opened it can be stored for no more than 3 days. Do not store milk in a tin can, as it may oxidize. It should be shaken before use, as it tends to separate. It can also be stored frozen for up to six months.

Coconut milk is a healthy and natural product of plant origin. Consuming it while breastfeeding helps enrich the diet and provide the woman and child with additional nutrients.

If a woman has no contraindications to its consumption and the child has an allergic reaction, it can be consumed in small quantities, starting from 2-3 months of the baby’s life.

At what age can children

Despite the enormous benefits of such a product, pediatricians still advise not to rush into introducing it into your baby’s diet. This delicacy, although very useful for humans, is still foreign to us. Therefore, coconut should be included in the diet of a small child only after the baby reaches 2 years of age. And this must be done carefully and gradually. For the first time, it will be enough to give a very small piece of pulp or one sip of juice. If the child likes the treat, the dose should be increased gradually. In general, a child should eat a piece of coconut no more than a handful a day and drink a quarter glass of coconut juice.

Coconut is a tasty and healthy delicacy that will bring great benefits to the body of mother and child if used correctly.

How to choose and use coconut

To avoid digestive problems, it is important to choose fresh coconut. To do this, take and shake the fruit next to your ear. There should be milk splashing inside. Carefully inspect the coconut for damage, stains, mold and rot. At one end of the fruit there should be three holes, free of rot and mold, slightly darker than the coconut itself.

To get milk, you need to pick out the largest hole of the three and then pierce it. A Chinese chopstick is perfect for this. Pour the milk through the hole. Please note that a fresh, high-quality drink should have a pleasant, soft, delicate aroma and taste. A pungent smell and taste indicate that the product is spoiled!

Before drinking, strain the milk and dilute slightly with water. If you use coconut pulp in cooking, first grind the mass in a blender, then also strain and dilute with water.

Coconut is used not only for culinary purposes. Coconut milk can be used as face and hair masks. It smoothes the skin, gives softness and tenderness, elasticity and firmness to the skin, and increases tone. Coconut effectively restores and strengthens hair. After all, every nursing mother is familiar with the problem of deteriorating hair after childbirth. What will help restore hair during breastfeeding, read here.

Coconut has a pleasant taste. It contains a large amount of minerals and vitamins. They help the body develop properly and also fully perform all its functions. Therefore, to the question whether a nursing mother can have coconut, the answer will be positive if she does not have an individual intolerance or allergy to an exotic product. The pulp of the fetus and its milk diversify the diet that a young mother follows during breastfeeding.

How to choose an exotic nut?

To avoid health problems for mothers and babies, it is necessary to eat only fresh fruits. Before you buy a paradise nut, you need to shake it. The sound of splashing liquid should be clearly heard inside. After this, you can proceed to a visual inspection. The shell is not allowed to have stains, cracks, or signs of rot and mold.

Fresh fruit's milk has a pleasant and delicate aroma. It tastes soft, without harsh impurities or bitterness. If you have doubts about the quality and freshness of the product, it is better not to risk it and refuse to use it.

A nursing mother can use coconut not only as a food product, but also as a cosmetic product. It is used to make masks for the face and hair, which are too depleted during pregnancy and lactation. Every mother is first and foremost a woman who always strives to look good.

For many women, the lactation period is primarily associated with a lot of prohibitions and restrictions related to nutrition.

Thus, strong allergens and exotic fruits must be removed from the diet of a young mother, however, there are exceptions here - some experts claim that coconut is completely safe during breastfeeding. Is this really true and does this product have any dangerous properties? Let’s find out in our article today.