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This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and healthy mama® , but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #gethealthymama http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV
The other day when I was talking to the hubs it hit me, for the last 7 years I have been breastfeeding. That’s a really long time if you ask me! With our youngest who is now six weeks old, we have run into handful of complications when it comes to breastfeeding. The main one being that my little Roo was rapidly loosing weight because my milk supply just was not producing enough. A reader sent us this green lactation smoothie while discussing different ways to up my milk supply. It definitely was an appreciated treat from the monotone of oats and flax seed!
One of the biggest concerns I have heard while talking with new moms is the question of whether or not she is producing enough milk for her baby. Nursing on demand should create an adequate supply, but adding in some lactogenic foods to your diet is a great way to give your body a boost!
This green lactation smoothie is a tasty way to consume some of these lactation-boosting foods! Fruits and veggies high in phytoestrogens, such as dark leafy greens, are believed to promote healthy breast tissue and lactation. Paired with healthy mama® Make the Milk! Tea which is filled with anise, fennel, and fenugreek and adding essential fatty acids and omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of chia seeds and coconut meat, this drink could have you producing more milk in no time.
While on my hunt of how to increase my milk supply I came across the healthy mama® brand at Target. The healthy mama® brand had a ton of products specific for pregnancy and breastfeeding that I had struggled to find elsewhere. Finding an entire shelf dedicated to prenatal care was just amazing! No more endless scavenger hunts for what this mama needs! During this trip I picked up Make the Milk! ($5.99) and Boost it Up ($3.29). Finding an energy drink that is endorsed by a medical advisory board to use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding blew me away. I don’t know about you, but breastfeeding every two hours through the night is exhausting for me…and I am more than missing my pot of caffeine in the morning. Boost It Up Protein Energy Drink was a godsend!
Now, I have a confession to make. I am not a fan of tea. So when I picked up healthy mama® Make the Milk! I was a tad skeptical. I had seriously picked up at least 8 other brands that did not make the cut as they tasted like licorice (which I also do not like). Make the Milk! Lactation Tea was delicious! It is the one and ONLY brand of lactation tea that I can stand to drink on it’s own.
While this tea is AMAZING on it’s own, I did need to find some ways to switch it up. This is also a great smoothie recipe for cooling down from this summer’s heat!
Ingredients
- 1 tea bag of healthy mama® Make the Milk!
- 1/2 cup boiling water
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup fresh young Thai coconut meat
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2-3 soft Medjool dates, pitted
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla flavor
- 2 large handfuls of fresh spinach
- 1 cup frozen strawberries
- handful of ice
Instructions
- Boil water and pour over healthy mama® Make the Milk! tea bag.
- Cover cup and steep for 5-7 minutes.
- Combine the almond milk, chia seeds, coconut meat, dates, spinach, and vanilla in a blender. Blend until liquefied.
- Add in ice, strawberries, and steeped tea. Blend until smooth.
- Serve and enjoy!
Notes
*If you don't have coconut meat easily available, avocados are an awesome alternative!
*Feel free to use any variety of fruit!
Adapted from Parenting Chaos
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1 grams
Amount Per Serving:Unsaturated Fat: 0g
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FAQs
This healthy green lactation smoothie has all of the nutrients and vitamins to make sure you have plenty of energy and promote healthy lactation when breastfeeding! It's a quick and easy smoothie that's also rich in iron, folate, calcium and vitamin K; essential nutrients for a breastfeeding parent.
How long does it take for lactation smoothies to work? ›
To see best results it is recommended to drink a course during a period of one week. While every woman's body is different, most moms notice more milk production after a few days of consumption and able to see an increase of 1-2 oz per side.
How many lactation smoothies should I drink a day? ›
The frequency at which you should drink lactation smoothies can depend on your individual needs and preferences. Some women find that drinking a lactation smoothie once a day is sufficient to support their milk supply, while others may choose to drink them multiple times per day.
What greens are best for lactation? ›
Health experts recommend breastfeeding moms to consume spinach and other leafy greens. These vegetables are rich in iron, calcium, folate, and vitamin K, which support lactation. Spinach is particularly beneficial due to its high content of phytoestrogens.
Which fruit is best for breast milk? ›
Whole fruits — like apples, berries, oranges, mango, and bananas. Veggies — like broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets, okra, spinach, peppers, edamame, and jicama. Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread and pasta.
What is the fastest way to produce breast milk? ›
Breastfeeding frequently—especially in the first hours, days, and weeks—is the main way to increase your milk supply. Your body will make milk to meet your baby's demand.
How can I super produce breast milk? ›
Nursing your baby often. Nurse every 2 hours during the day and every 3 to 4 hours at night (at least 8 to 16 times in 24 hours). If your baby will not nurse, use a good quality double electric breast pump to increase milk production. Pumping after breastfeeding signals your body to produce more milk.
What juices help produce breast milk? ›
Carrots are high in beta-carotene and Vitamin A. Carrot juice is particularly good for breastfeeding moms and drinking a cup of carrot juice just before lunch may increase your afternoon breast milk supply. Legumes (chickpeas, lentils, lima beans, or green beans) are often used as lactogenic foods.
What is the healthiest green to put in a smoothie? ›
The best green vegetables to add to smoothies in terms of flavor profile and nutritional value include spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, zucchini, cucumber, and avocado (which is technically a fruit but is more commonly used as a vegetable).
How many ounces of green smoothie should you drink a day? ›
Rotate Your Greens & Don't Overdo It
It all comes down to common sense really and there is no need to overdo it, we suggest 500ml – 2L as a recommended daily intake.
1. Protein: Protein is essential for helping our bodies function and help keep us feeling full.
- Nut butter.
- Flaxseeds or chia seeds.
- Greek yogurt.
- Cottage cheese.
- Silken tofu.
- Legumes (like chickpeas)
The Evidence for Lactation Shakes
There is also a powerful amount of anecdotal evidence from mums who have improved their milk supply through lactation shakes. Consuming lactation shakes containing galactagogues is one of the easiest ways breastfeeding women can fuel their bodies with milk-producing nutrients.
What foods increase milk supply? ›
Focus on making healthy choices to help fuel your milk production. Opt for protein-rich foods, such as lean meat, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils and seafood low in mercury. Choose a variety of whole grains as well as fruits and vegetables.
Does cranberry juice increase milk supply? ›
Cranberry is most often used for prevention of urinary tract infections. It has no specific lactation-related uses.
Does green juice increase milk supply? ›
Green smoothies, made from a variety of leafy greens and fruits, are a powerhouse of nutrients. Ingredients like spinach and kale are rich in vitamins and minerals, which can aid in overall health and potentially impact milk production.
Are green smoothies good for babies? ›
I recommend introducing smoothies from around 7-8 months of age. The first month of starting solids is a great time to tick off fruit, vegetables, greens, iron-rich foods, and healthy fats. It's about easing baby into solids, letting them have fun, and getting them to use to having a meal 1-2 x a day.
Can babies drink green smoothies? ›
By about 8 months of age, most babies are ready for green smoothies. We like to avoid plastic sippy cups and instead use small glass or ceramic cups (I just go to the thrift store for these) for introducing green smoothies and other liquids.
