The period of breastfeeding is an important stage in a woman’s life. The period is characterized by a woman’s very responsible attitude regarding the choice of her diet. Sometimes you have to exclude your favorite foods so as not to harm the baby. There are also limitations among seasonings.
Cinnamon is controversial among women, but what should spice lovers do? The main thing is to study in advance the main aspects of use and how cinnamon should be used correctly for breastfeeding.
Why is it useful?
Cinnamon affects the body of a nursing mother on several fronts at once:
- For slimness. Promotes the conversion of glucose into energy rather than into fat deposits. Tea or herbal decoction with this spice will help you get back into shape faster after childbirth.
- Reduces blood sugar levels. Recommended for diabetics, especially in combination with kefir.
- Antiseptic. Helps the body fight viral infections and fungal diseases.
- Strengthens the immune system, prevents and treats colds. Cinnamon is included in some antiviral drugs; helps cope with acute respiratory infections, flu and other seasonal diseases.
- Stimulates the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. It has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the digestive system, relieves gas formation, diarrhea and constipation.
- Good for the kidneys, removes excess fluid.
- Gives a good mood. It has a pleasant aroma that charges you with vigor and energy.
Substances that enter the mother’s body through food also affect the baby through breast milk.
Recipe for colds
- Take 0.5 tsp. pharmaceutical chamomile, 0.5 tsp. cinnamon, ¼ tsp. anise
- Stir and let it brew in 1 liter of hot boiled water.
- Take before bed.
The drink has an anti-cold and calming effect, helps reduce fever without the use of medications.
Precautionary measures
Contraindications include:
- The baby has allergies. Appears in some especially sensitive children.
- If the next pregnancy occurs during lactation, cinnamon should not be consumed. It causes the uterus to contract, which can cause premature birth.
- Liver diseases. The spice contains coumarin, a potent substance that, if exceeded, can negatively affect the functioning of the main organ of the hepatobiliary system (HBS).
- Poor blood clotting. Cinnamon has blood thinning properties, which is especially dangerous during the postpartum period (6-8 weeks). Therefore, women who have problems with blood clotting are better off not taking risks.
- High blood pressure. Although cinnamon is praised for its ability to lower blood pressure, it is contraindicated for people with frequent episodes of hypertension.
- Stomach ulcers and other gastrointestinal pathologies associated with low acidity.
- Drug treatment. Biologically active substances in spices change the effect of medications: either reduce their effectiveness or cause side effects.
Attention! In some women, excessive consumption of cinnamon can cause headaches and apathy, and provoke the appearance of swelling and skin rashes.
Effect of cinnamon during breastfeeding
Cinnamon is a valuable product that helps increase breast milk production. Consumption of spices during lactation helps achieve the following effects:
- Normalize metabolic processes. This helps improve water-salt balance and eliminate excess weight.
- Strengthen the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines. Consumption of the spice normalizes the functioning of the digestive organs.
- Prevent constipation and intestinal disorders.
- Avoid contracting viral infections. This effect is due to pronounced antiseptic characteristics.
- Renew liver tissue. This result is achieved due to the choleretic effect.
- Activate the immune system.
- Prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
- Cleanse the body of harmful salts.
In moderation, cinnamon will not only not cause harm, but will also be beneficial for the body.
Cinnamon and lactation
When consumed in excess, cinnamon changes the habitual taste of human milk for a baby. But in reasonable quantities, for example, as part of healthy drinks, the spice supports lactation.
Recipe to improve milk production
- Mix 1 tsp. cinnamon and milk with 2 tsp. Sahara.
- Pour a glass of milk into a small saucepan and add a handful of chopped walnuts.
- Place on the stove and keep for 15–20 minutes, without allowing the mixture to boil.
- Add the prepared cinnamon and sugar mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Cook for about 5 minutes more.
Take before bed, but no more than 1-2 times a week.
Beneficial features
Cinnamon not only improves the taste of various dishes and drinks, but also has a number of properties that have a positive effect on the health of the human body.
This spice:
- activates metabolism, which helps to get rid of excess weight and unwanted centimeters on the hips and waist,
- thanks to the dietary fiber it contains, it removes harmful bile salts,
- stimulates the digestive tract and strengthens the gastric walls, normalizes stool, reducing the likelihood of constipation and intestinal disorders,
- improves blood circulation, strengthens the heart muscle,
- lowers cholesterol levels in the blood, preventing the risk of heart attack,
- contains a large amount of calcium, which is very important for women during lactation,
- is an excellent antioxidant
- increases the immunity of the body, both the mother and the newborn baby,
- has antifungal and antiseptic properties,
- blocks viruses, which is why it is often used as a component of drugs for ARVI, colds and cough medicines,
- penetrating into the blood, it can reduce the level of sugar in it, which makes it very useful for patients with diabetes,
- as part of creams and ointments, relieves skin irritation,
- raises tone, improves mood and performance.
Enter into the menu
Cinnamon should be introduced into the diet of a nursing mother carefully and not in the first month after childbirth.
- They start no earlier than after 4 months - it is still an allergen that can harm the baby’s fragile body.
- Try adding a pinch to tea, compote, fermented milk products and monitor your child’s reaction. Allow yourself a cinnamon bun, but no more than once a week, as flour is bad for your figure. But kefir with cinnamon, on the contrary, will help in the fight against excess weight.
- Use the spice in the morning and monitor the baby’s condition throughout the day.
Benefits of cinnamon
The seasoning has many beneficial properties known to mankind for many centuries.
Today, the spice is used in many areas of cooking. It is important to consider that the benefit of a product for one organism does not mean that it will suit another. Any product must be introduced carefully, gradually, monitoring the baby’s reaction in this case.
Among the beneficial qualities of cinnamon are:
- Helps activate metabolism, leading to the loss of unnecessary pounds.
- The presence of dietary fiber promotes the active removal of harmful salts.
- Regular intake of treats helps strengthen the gastric walls and activates the normal function of the gastrointestinal tract.
- Strengthens the heart, improves the functioning of the circulatory system.
- Cholesterol levels are gradually reduced and the risk of heart attack is prevented.
- A large amount of calcium has undeniable benefits during breastfeeding.
- Known among people as an essential antioxidant.
- Immunity increases.
- Known as a natural antioxidant and antiseptic drug.
- Used for colds, acute respiratory viral infections, and symptoms of influenza.
- Allows you to relieve skin irritations using it as a cream.
- Properties that increase performance, improve well-being and mood.
The benefits of cinnamon are difficult to overestimate; the main thing is to properly introduce it into the diet of breastfeeding women. The spice will help in the right amount to benefit mother and baby.
Mom's recipes
Apples with cinnamon
Cinnamon in combination with apples will be especially useful for a nursing mother. It is better to give preference not to baked goods, but to baked fruits or drinks with added spice.
- You will need 1 liter of clean water, a fresh apple, 1 cinnamon stick or 1 tbsp. l. cinnamon powder.
- Finely chop the fruit, sprinkle with chopped spices, cover with cold water and place in the refrigerator for 2 hours.
- Strain the cooled liquid and drink throughout the day instead of tea or coffee.
The drink will help you lose weight, improve digestion and strengthen your immune system. But there is also a drawback - the high acidity of fresh apples. Therefore, follow the norm.
Herb tea
Tea flavored with cinnamon acquires a rich aroma and pleasant spice. In combination with properly selected and approved herbs for lactation, it will promote weight loss and increase milk flow in a nursing mother.
Acceptable herbs during breastfeeding: mint, anise, fennel, chamomile and some others.
Cinnamon Recipes
During breastfeeding, this ingredient can be added to drinks, sweet dishes, and baked goods. There are formulations for the treatment of various diseases and compositions for cosmetic purposes. You can add the active additive only to 1 dish during the day so as not to exceed the recommended dosage.
When purchasing, choose high-quality, fresh products. Store in a cool, dry place, preferably in the refrigerator. Be sure to pour the powder or transfer the stick into a clean glass jar with a hermetically sealed lid. When preparing dishes and drinks while breastfeeding, add the component after finishing the heat treatment.
On a note! A glass of kefir with an active additive promotes weight loss.
Lactation drink recipe
Ingredients:
- milk – 1 tbsp.
- cinnamon – 1 tsp.
- sugar – 2 tsp.
- walnuts - several peeled kernels
Cooking method:
- Mix 1 tbsp. l. milk, spices and sugar until smooth.
- Chop the nuts with a knife.
- Add nuts to the remaining milk, simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes, without bringing to a boil.
- Add the sweet cinnamon mixture and cook for 4-5 minutes.
- Drink immediately before the baby's last feeding 1-2 times a week.
Recipe for colds
During the period of natural feeding, it is permissible to use formulations for treatment that will not harm the baby. The easiest way to relieve the symptoms of acute respiratory infections is to dissolve 1 tsp. a mixture of natural honey (60 g) and cinnamon (1 tsp). Teas, decoctions, and spice infusions are no less popular.
Ingredients for infusion:
- boiling water – 500 ml
- cinnamon – 1 stick
- natural honey – 1 tbsp. l.
- orange zest – 10 g
Cooking method:
- Pour boiling water over cinnamon and leave for 15 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients and let it brew.
- Drink throughout the day instead of tea.
On a note! This recipe can be used to treat colds while breastfeeding only if the baby is not intolerant to all components.
Apples with cinnamon
Ingredients:
- apples – 3 pcs.
- cinnamon – ¼ tsp.
- natural honey – 3 tsp.
- sugar – 1 tsp.
Cooking method:
- Wash the fruits, cut off the top, remove the middle, peel off the skin in a thin layer.
- Mix sugar and cinnamon, roll apples in the mixture.
- Place on foil and pour honey into the indentations.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes. at 200°C.
- After cooling, sprinkle with ground spice.
Baking with cinnamon
Ingredients for French bun dough:
- cinnamon - to taste
- egg – 2 pcs.
- warm milk - 1 tbsp.
- margarine – ½ pack
- sugar – ¼ tbsp.
- wheat flour – 2-3 tbsp. (how much dough will take)
- dry yeast – 1 tsp.
For cream:
- margarine – ½ pack
- starch – 1.5 tbsp. l.
- sugar – ¾ tbsp.
Cooking method:
- Mix the ingredients for the cream thoroughly with a fork.
- Knead the dough from warm milk, sugar, eggs, half the flour, melted margarine and yeast.
- Roll out the layer 0.5-1 cm thick, grease with cream.
- Roll into a roll and cut into 4 cm pieces.
- Place on a baking sheet lined with paper at a distance from each other.
- Cover with a napkin and leave in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours.
- Sprinkle with ground cinnamon.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes. at 200°C.
Beauty Recipes
The spice promotes regeneration, renewal, rejuvenation of the skin, and stimulates hair growth. With the addition of cinnamon you can prepare a mask, scrub, cream, or decoction. Before using any product, you must first conduct an allergy test. Apply the resulting mixture onto the bend of your elbow and leave for 15 minutes. In the absence of inflammation and allergic reactions, use the mixture as directed.
Mask for the face
Ingredients for the anti-aging mask:
- oatmeal – 3 tbsp. l.
- cinnamon – 2 tsp.
- oily vitamin E – 2-5 drops.
- dry cream – 3 tsp.
- warm water – ½ tbsp.
Mix the ingredients and apply to the face for 15 minutes. Rinse off with warm water. Repeat this procedure 2-3 times a week.
Ceylonese or Chinese
Ceylon cinnamon is valued much more than Chinese (cassia). It is less bitter in taste and more intense in aroma. In addition, cassia contains more harmful coumarin.
How to distinguish and choose a better quality product?
- The inscription on the packaging. On the box with Chinese spice they write: “Cinnamomum aromaticum” or “Cinnamomum cassia”, on the package with Ceylon: “Cinnamomum zeylanicum” or “Cinnamomum verum”.
- Color. Ceylon cinnamon sticks have a light, uniform tone. In its Chinese rival, the shade changes from light to darker closer to the center of the tube.
- Structure. The structure of Ceylon spice contains many twisted curls. In cassia there are much fewer of them or none at all.
- Softness. Ceylon cinnamon produces a soft, brittle, easily crumbling spice. The bark of the Chinese competitor is rougher and more difficult to break.
Cosmetic bonuses
The female body, exhausted during pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, needs additional support. The condition of the skin, nails and hair worsens.
Homemade cosmetics recipes with cinnamon can:
- increase skin turgor;
- return the blooming color to your face;
- remove pimples and inflammation;
- reduce the appearance of cellulite;
- smooth out small wrinkles;
- accelerate hair growth;
- lighten curls;
- get rid of papillomas and warts;
- suppress the activity of skin fungus;
- speed up the resorption of bruises and stretch marks.
A young mother does not have time to implement complex beauty recipes. Therefore, only the simplest ones are popular.
Mask for the face
Cosmetologists claim that it improves mood, provides rejuvenating, nourishing, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing effects.
- Mix 1 tbsp. l. honey and 0.5 tsp. cinnamon.
- Apply to face for 15–20 minutes.
- Rinse off with warm water.
Hair growth mask
The effect of cinnamon components is enhanced by other nourishing ingredients that stimulate hair growth.
- Take 2 tbsp. l. high-quality olive oil without impurities, the same amount of kefir, beat with 1 raw egg, add 1 tsp. cinnamon powder and honey.
- Apply to clean, slightly damp hair for a quarter of an hour.
- Rinse your hair thoroughly.
