After discharge from the hospital, the nursing mother will have to forget about some products from her usual diet for a while, as they can cause colic in the newborn, stool disorders and other troubles. But what about dairy products? Is it possible for a nursing mother cheese? We will consider these and other questions in more detail in our article.
The benefits of cheese for the body
The basis of this product is cow or other milk, fermented sour milk bacteria and enzymes. Different types of cheeses are slightly different in composition, but each of them has a complete set of vitamins (A, groups B, C, E, PP) and minerals (calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, zinc, copper) .
The nutritional value, as well as the calorie content of this product, is high. At the same time, it was proved that the protein contained in cheese is fully absorbed, compared to fresh cow's milk. This product is extremely beneficial for pregnant and lactating women. Cheese in the diet is necessary for:
- digestion normalization;
- improve the outflow of lymphatic fluid;
- restoration of blood formation;
- increase immunity;
- providing the body with energy;
- improving the condition of the skin, nails and hair;
- strengthening the bone skeleton;
- normalization of the water-salt balance in the body;
- reduce the risk of diabetes.
But, so as not to harm yourself and the child, before adding this sour-milk product to your menu, you need to find out whether cheese can be given to a nursing mother. As you know, in the first days after birth, a woman’s diet is quite limited, and it is necessary to control it in order to avoid negative consequences.
Is it possible to eat cheese for nursing mothers?
In the first days after discharge from the hospital, especially at the stage of lactation, close attention should be paid to the nutrition of women. During this period, preference should be given to dishes from low-fat varieties of meat and fish, cooked by boiled and steam methods, as well as dairy products rich in calcium.
Among the first in the diet of a nursing woman, kefir is introduced. Gradually, the range of dairy products is expanding. By the end of the first month of life, a woman can include low-fat sour cream, fermented baked milk in the menu. But is it possible for a nursing mother to have hard cheese, it is better to check with the pediatrician. If the baby is not bothered by stomach pains, then this product will even be useful for the child.
Possible harm and contraindications
When using cheese, the composition of breast milk changes. It is not only enriched with calcium and other mineral elements and vitamins, but also becomes too fat, which can cause intestinal colic in a child and upset stool. Also, nursing mothers are not recommended cheeses with various additives in the composition (spices, mushrooms). They can provoke allergic reactions on the skin.
Cheeses should not be included in the diet for women who have a history of kidney and urinary tract diseases. This is due to the fact that literally in all varieties of this product sodium salts are present in the composition, which lead to the formation of stones.
Varieties of Cheese while Breastfeeding
Nursing mother should carefully choose products for her table. So, when breastfeeding the following cheeses will be useful:
- Solid and semi-solid: parmesan, cheddar, Swiss, Dutch, Russian and others. They are made from natural milk using enzymes and lactic acid bacteria. Such cheeses have a pleasant, brackish taste and high fat content.
- Soft. In the production of cheeses such as Roquefort, Dorogobuzh, Smolensk, fresh cow's milk and bacterial sourdough are used. The result is a paste-like product with a mild creamy taste.
- Brine. This type includes cheeses such as suluguni, feta cheese, feta, mozzarella. They contain up to 8% of table salt, and ripening occurs in a special solution. Such cheeses have a savory salty flavor. But is it possible for a nursing mother suluguni cheese? In fact, despite the presence of salt in the composition, brine cheeses are useful for breastfeeding, because they contain the least nutritional supplements.
- Creamy (mascarpone, Philadelphia). In the manufacture of such cheeses, milk and cream are used. The result is a paste-like product with a delicate taste.
And another question often asked by doctors is nursing mothers: "Is Adyghe cheese possible with lactation?" The answer will be yes. This soft cheese, which does not require ripening and has a curdled consistency, is very useful for a woman during lactation. It can be consumed separately or added to salads and other dishes.
Is it possible for a nursing mother to have processed cheese and mold?
In addition to the above, there are other varieties of cheeses:
- Fused. Despite the pleasant taste, this product does not differ in natural composition. It is recommended that his nursing mother be excluded from her diet.
- Smoked. In the manufacture of such a product, hard or brine cheeses are processed with natural or liquid smoke. When breastfeeding, it is strictly forbidden to use them. Smoking negatively affects the taste and composition of breast milk.
- Blue. Often pediatricians hear such a question from nursing mothers: "Is it possible to have blue cheese with breastfeeding?" This product also should not be used during lactation, since the substances contained in it can adversely affect the baby's health.
When can I eat cheese after childbirth?
Most doctors believe that you can include this product in your diet by the end of the first month of lactation. But you must make sure of its freshness and expiration dates, so as not to harm the baby and nursing mother. As for when to add smoked cheese to the menu and whether it can be done throughout the entire period of breastfeeding, in this case the answer will be negative. Such a product will not benefit either a woman or a child.
When choosing a variety, preference should be given to cheese with the lowest fat content. If the baby's reaction is normal, then you can try other varieties of the product. Cheese should be introduced into the diet gradually and in small quantities. Only in this case will it be possible to maintain a figure and ensure the high quality of breast milk.
Recommended daily allowance for nursing mothers
Even after receiving a positive response from the pediatrician to the question of whether cheese can be given to a nursing mother, this product should not be abused. Enter it into your usual diet should be gradual, starting with a small piece, but not exceeding the norm of 50 g per day.
If the baby does not respond well to this product, for example, with intestinal colic or other disorders, then it is better to replace the cheese with cottage cheese. In composition, it fits the nursing mother perfectly. From it you can prepare desserts, add to salads and use as a filling for homemade baking.
How to cook cheese at home?
The quality of products offered in supermarkets does not always meet the requirements of nursing mothers. But thanks to the following recipe, cheese can be prepared on its own with just three ingredients: cow's (goat's) milk, apple or wine vinegar and salt. The result is a very delicious feta cheese, which is allowed to be eaten by nursing mothers.
When preparing homemade cheese, it is recommended to adhere to the following instructions:
- Bring milk (3 L) to a boil over medium heat.
- Add vinegar (3 tbsp.) And salt (1 tbsp.). After a few minutes, the milk will curl.
- Discard the contents of the pan in a colander, after lining it with gauze.
- Wait until the whey drains, then wrap the remaining cottage cheese in cheesecloth and put under the press.
- After 2 hours, the feta cheese will be ready. Cheese can be put in the refrigerator for a while, or you can eat immediately.
According to this recipe, feta cheese is moderately salty, and this is just what a nursing mother needs. It is recommended to store cheese in the refrigerator in a special brine made from boiled water and salt.