First off it is critical to remember that juicing for breastfeeding (or pregnancy for that matter) is NOT a replacement for meals. Juicing is to enhance your health and to offer a way of easily absorbing and processing nutrients. You should not be focused on weight-loss. What you should be focused on is the health of your growing baby and your overall health and well-being.
Why is juicing good for a new momma?
Juicing offers up a way of basically "injecting" micro-nutrients and active enzymes straight into your system. Juicing removes the need for your body to digest and process and therefore saves it's energy for you and your baby. This "hit" of minerals and vitamins effect you at a molecular level, thus changing your body from the inside out.
This will not only provide impeccable care to you and your baby, it will set you up for greater weight loss success once you are done breastfeeding!
Some techniques to note while juicing while breastfeeding:
- Incorporate teas into your regimen or mix with fresh juice
- Add herbal tinctures into the mix
- Use organic produce as toxins can negatively affect your growing baby
- You should be drinking at least one large glass of water to every serving of juice on top of your normal hydration routine
- Stay away from heavy stimulants like black tea and coffee (a little dark chocolate is OK!)
Here are some herbs to consider in either tea or tincture form:
- Lemon balm
- Nettle
- Red raspberry leaf
- Rose hips
- Ginger
Two great juices to reduce bloating is:
- 2 oranges (peeled)
- Handful of kale leaves
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 3 stalks celery
- Note: you can add lemon, ginger or apple to taste
OR...
- 3 carrots
- 3 stalks celery
- 30 cherries (pitted)
- 8 oz of red raspberry leaf or nettle tea
- Note: you can add lemon, ginger or apple to taste
Ingredients to help increase energy!
- GREENS! Any green you can stomach, anything leafy!
- Lemon
- Ginger
- Apple
How much should you drink?
Drink as much as you want as long as juicing is not replacing meals. Pay attention to your body... it will tell you when to speed-up or slow-down. If juicing just doesn't feel right all together, quit and try again at a later stage. There is no right or wrong way... but you do need to listen to your body as it will know best for you and your baby!
Be active - Be healthy - Juice!
I have a preemie who is not yet strong enough to breast feed enough to empty my breasts, which means I not only breastfeed, I also pump after each feeding. It takes SO much energy. I can't wait to give your recommendations a try, Shannon. And of course hit you up on that dark chocolate "ok" post-lunch. ;)
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to hear about your results! Way to go momma!
DeleteHave you heard if juicing can effect a baby's digestion? My son is two months old and I just started juicing again, and he is expiencing some stomach aches and very loose bowels and I am wondering if it is the juicing, I primarily do spinich, celery, cucumber, tomatoes, carrot, apple and oranges. I have recently read that citrus can create upset stomachs in infants so I am wondering about the orange in my juice, any thoughts would be helpful.
ReplyDeleteHi Katy- I am sorry for the delay. By now your son is approaching 4 mos and should be through the thick of indigestion. However his little system is still developing. I would keep the juice mild and alkaline such as spinach, green apples, cucumbers, lemon and even ginger. Acidic foods like the oranges and tomatoes should be avoided or kept to a minimum until after 6 mos or until symptoms lessen.
DeleteCongratulations and happy juicing!
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ReplyDeletejuicing recipes