What should a postpartum woman eat to increase breast milk production?
Postpartum mothers can consume foods such as peanuts, loofah, and water bamboo shoots to promote breast milk secretion. For instance, peanuts have the effect of promoting breast milk secretion due to their high nutritional value. They can be made into soup with crucian carp and other ingredients for postpartum mothers to drink, effectively promoting lactation. Additionally, loofah and water bamboo shoots are also nutrient-dense and have similar lactation-promoting effects.
1. Peanuts: Peanuts can be used to treat conditions such as spleen deficiency with nausea, edema, leukorrhea, anemia, various bleeding disorders, lung dryness with cough, persistent dry cough, and postpartum lactation promotion.
2. Loofah: Loofah fiber is a traditional Chinese medicinal ingredient with a sweet and cold taste. In cases of breast inflammation, milk congestion with masses, or poor lactation, traditional Chinese medicine recommends stewing loofah fiber in a soup, which can help regulate breast qi and blood, promote lactation, and stimulate appetite while resolving phlegm.
3. Water Bamboo Shoots: Not only delicious and nutrient-dense, water bamboo shoots contain carbohydrates, protein, vitamins B1, B2, C, and various minerals. According to traditional Chinese medicine, water bamboo shoots have a sweet and cold nature, with effects such as resolving heat toxicity, relieving thirst, facilitating bowel movements, and promoting lactation. They are often cooked with pig trotters to enhance lactation.
4. Peas: Also known as green beans, peas have a sweet and neutral taste and are rich in phosphorus, containing approximately 400 milligrams per 100 grams. Peas have the effects of promoting urination, stimulating saliva production, resolving sores and toxins, relieving diarrhea, and promoting lactation. Green peas can be boiled and eaten lightly or juiced with pea sprouts to promote lactation.
5. Tofu: Tofu has the functions of nourishing qi and harmonizing the middle, stimulating saliva and moisturizing dryness, and clearing heat and detoxifying. It is also a lactation-promoting food. When cooked with brown sugar and fermented rice wine, tofu can promote breast milk production.