Can a nursing mother eat watermelon?

About the benefits of watermelon

Watermelon is 90% water. And as you know, during breastfeeding it is necessary to constantly monitor your water balance. In addition, its benefits lie in the following factors:

this berry has diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects, which will benefit the mother of the newborn (swelling will disappear, urination will become more frequent, and excess fluid will be eliminated);
the fetus replenishes the reserves of magnesium and calcium in the body of the nursing mother;
the abundance of panthenolic acid in the product, which normalizes the sleep of mother and child;
this delicacy is rich in vitamin C, which can boost immunity and protect the body from possible colds;
Riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and antioxidants contained in watermelon prolong a woman’s youth and prevent the development of tumor cells;
The iron contained in watermelon will solve the problem of anemia during breastfeeding.

As mentioned earlier, watermelon contains folic acid. This useful substance allows you to form and maintain healthy new cells. During the period of active growth of the baby, this property is extremely useful. And folic acid will give a nursing mother youth and healthy skin color.

Can a nursing mother eat melon?

In appearance, watermelon is a completely safe product, but only when purchased during the season (early autumn). The fact is that the absorbent property of this berry allows it to absorb all the nitrates with which the melon is processed for the speedy ripening of the fruit. Therefore, watermelon purchased out of season (summer, winter, spring, late autumn) can cause digestive problems and colic in the mother and child during breastfeeding.

How to choose the right one

If a mother has determined for herself whether it is possible to eat watermelon while breastfeeding, she needs to learn how to choose a berry.

Ecologically pure

Choosing a good watermelon is not so difficult:

The size is not the largest, but not small either (4.5 - 5 kg).
Bright colors, many stripes.
Shiny peel.
A yellow spot on the side is an indication that the watermelon grew in natural conditions and not in a greenhouse.
You cannot buy watermelons on the highway, harmful substances settle on the skin and cannot be washed off with water.
You should not buy cut watermelons, as harmful bacteria get into the berry along with a dirty knife.
A flat cut on a watermelon, white veins in the pulp are signs that a lot of chemicals have been pumped into it.

Ripe

Signs of a ripe watermelon:

dried tail;
ripe fruit “rings” when you knock on it. A dull sound means the berry is unripe.

How to choose the right fruit

Before purchasing a product, you should visually check its ripeness. There should be no dents, cuts or cracks on the surface of the watermelon. You should avoid retail outlets near the road or with goods piled in heaps on the ground. In addition, when purchasing a product, you need to pay attention to its dimensions. It is better to give preference to medium-sized watermelons (about 5 kg). Large fruits, as a rule, are oversaturated with nitrates and pose a danger to mother and baby. Small berries most likely were not ripe and were picked ahead of time.

Also, any buyer has the right to request certificates from the seller confirming the quality of the products.

You can distinguish a ripe watermelon by the following characteristics:

bright color of the crust with dark stripes;
yellow-orange spot on side;
moderately dry tail (if it is completely dry, this indicates that the watermelon has been stored in the warehouse for a long time);
thin white veins and uneven color of the pulp.

Every nursing mother can easily test berries for nitrates at home. You just need to follow these steps:

Cut a small piece of watermelon with the rind.
Pour a glass of clean water.
Place part of the fruit in a container and stir the water.
If the liquid has become cloudy and opaque, then the amount of nitrates in it exceeds the norm.

Nitrate-free fruit will not affect water clarity.

How to choose not to get sick

So, how to choose watermelon while breastfeeding? Make sure that it is whole (not half, not quarter, not a single cut or chip - unpleasant bacteria are introduced through the “wounds”).

Don't let the seller cut out the middle "for testing." When you tap the round barrel, a dull sound should be heard. You can scratch it with your nails: the ripe skin comes off easily.

The place where the berry rested should be faded and yellow. The tail is completely dry.

By the way, many advanced young mothers have long acquired a device - a “nitrate counter” - and personally check store-bought products for their harmfulness.

And sometimes they are surprised to discover that trouble comes from where they did not expect it - for example, from their own country potatoes, from cucumbers from an elite grocery store, or from apples bought from grandmothers. What can we say about watermelons from the market?

When you get home, you can conduct an experiment: throw a piece of watermelon (cut from the rind to the very center) into the water. Shake: the liquid should remain transparent; only the nitrate components will give it turbidity.

After cutting the fruit, look at the pulp: it should not be smooth and uniform, usually sugary grains are visible.

By the way, when consuming watermelon while breastfeeding, do not eat it all the way to the rind: where its color becomes light pink and almost white, the content of various chemicals is highest.

About allergies

Red foods are prohibited in the first months of GW. And watermelon, as you know, has a bright red or orange color. Such pulp can cause an allergic reaction in a newborn.

Therefore, eating watermelon while breastfeeding in the first month of a child’s life is contraindicated.

Allergies in a newborn are characterized by a sharp change in the baby’s condition, expressed in redness and rashes on the skin. In rare cases, the baby may experience stool upset. Or the allergen will gradually accumulate in the baby’s body and only after some time will give a negative reaction.

If any family member has asthma, then the introduction of watermelon into the diet should be postponed until 3-4 months after birth. At this time, the baby’s digestive system is already better adapting to the foods consumed by the mother. But even then, the berry should be tried gradually and in small portions in order to monitor the child’s reaction to the innovation.

Beware, early watermelons!

However, there is a nuance that is worth taking into account: when breastfeeding, watermelon should be chosen especially carefully. Everyone knows cases of poisoning from “tinted” berries purchased before their ripening period.

Remember, in May and June there cannot be ripe watermelons on the shelves! And if you are persistently offered to try a sweet product in the spring, be sure that it was grown with the help of chemicals, and feel free to walk by.

If your watermelon was removed from the garden early, all the nitrates and other preparations that were used to treat the soil and seedlings will remain in the fruit. For early ripening, you cannot do without chemicals, and the berries absorb it with a bang.

A young mother can get away with mild poisoning, but the baby’s fragile body will face a serious threat. His digestive system is not yet good enough to handle nitrates.

About digestive problems

The result of excessive consumption of sweet berries during breastfeeding can be a disorder of the digestive system (flatulence, heaviness in the abdomen, etc.). To avoid this problem, you need to eat watermelon in small portions and only after the main meal.

If digestive problems arise in a nursing mother, then they are most likely to appear in the baby. Lack of a sense of proportion in consuming watermelon can cause colic in the baby.

In addition to stool upset and abdominal pain, the wrong product can cause poisoning in mother and child. Such consequences are the result of a large amount of nitrates in the pulp of the fruit. And if a nursing mother is able to soon forget about such an unpleasant problem, then for an infant such a meal may result in hospital treatment.

From what month can a nursing mother have watermelon?

Having found out whether watermelon can be consumed while breastfeeding, women are rushing to find out when the berry can be introduced into their diet. Most mothers, waiting for fresh fruits to appear on the market and store shelves, are often interested in the question of when can they start eating watermelon during breastfeeding. Doctors do not give an unambiguous answer to this, explaining that each organism is unique and a reaction to the use of a new product may or may not occur.

To warn the baby and woman from the negative consequences of eating the berry, doctors say that a nursing mother can only drink watermelon from 2 months. Until this time, the woman is recommended to adhere to a strict diet. However, even when the baby reaches the required age, we must not forget about the rules for including new foods in the diet.

When should you not eat watermelon?

After we talked about whether watermelon can be consumed while breastfeeding, we should touch on the topic of contraindications. You should completely avoid this berry:

in the first month after the birth of the baby;
women suffering from diabetes;
for pathologies of the excretory system (kidney stones, etc.);
in case of pancreatic diseases.

Whether it is possible to eat watermelon while breastfeeding in these cases, only a doctor will decide.

Is it worth eating

So, can you have watermelon while breastfeeding or not?
Experts say that this berry is simply necessary. Indeed, during lactation, the consumption of useful components, vitamins and minerals in the female body increases. Stocks of such substances need to be replenished. Watermelon contains a large amount of microelements and vitamins. First of all, you should not eat watermelon while breastfeeding in the first month of lactation. This is very dangerous for a newborn baby. In addition, there are a number of diseases for which the consumption of such food is not allowed. First of all, women suffering from diabetes should avoid watermelons. In principle, such food is prohibited for them.

Also, those who have problems with the excretory system should avoid melons. It could be kidney stones. Watermelons can also aggravate your health if you have pancreatic diseases. Before introducing this product into your diet, you should consult your doctor.

How is it harmful?

It may harm those who have large kidney stones, as it will provoke their movement, which is undesirable.
People with urinary system disorders, stomach problems and colitis should not eat the berry.
Those who like to eat watermelon with black bread run the risk of exacerbating stomach problems (if they exist). In this case, white bread will be preferable.
Watermelons, especially early varieties, can contain a lot of nitrates.

So can a nursing mother have watermelon? As you can see, it is very useful, but it can also cause harm. To safely enjoy this delicacy, a nursing mother should take the following precautions.

How to eat watermelon correctly?

First of all, watermelon must be thoroughly washed before consumption. The quality of the product can first be checked on dad, and if everything is good, then mom can eat it too. How to eat watermelon correctly? First you need to eat a small piece and see how it affects the child. If the baby feels great throughout the day, then you can increase the size of the piece.

If your baby experiences rashes, diarrhea or abdominal pain, you should stop eating watermelon. The allergy usually occurs in the form of a rash and quickly disappears if the irritant is eliminated. It can manifest itself within three days, so during this period you need to monitor the child and not include new foods in the diet.

Recommendations!

It is not recommended to finish eating yesterday's watermelon, even if it was in the refrigerator.
It is not advisable to introduce 2 new products into the diet at the same time; first you need to deal with one.
If you want to eat watermelon with bread, you should choose wheat varieties, they are less likely to upset the child’s stomach.

If you are breastfeeding, then this is not a reason to give up most foods, especially vegetables and fruits. Watermelon contains many vitamins, so it is recommended for both adults and children, both pregnant and lactating. Diversify your diet with vegetables, berries and fruits grown at your dacha. Eat beets, carrots, apples, raspberries, strawberries, but in small quantities.

Do you still have a question, is it possible to eat watermelon while breastfeeding? Of course, it’s possible, it’s only important to follow moderation, monitor your baby’s reaction and choose the right watermelon so that it brings only benefits.

The benefits of watermelon

After pregnancy and childbirth, the female body is weakened and an increased dose of vitamins and microelements is required. Watermelon is one of the best sources of nutrients and should be eaten during breastfeeding, but with caution. The product will fill the gap:

iron, necessary for normal hematopoiesis and the prevention of iron deficiency anemia;
folic acid, necessary for normal development in the womb and outside it;
vitamin C, which strengthens the body’s immune defense against invading bacteria and viruses;
panthenolic acid, which improves the mother’s mental balance and ensures healthy sleep;
beta-carotene, which improves complexion and reduces the risk of premature aging.

A nursing mother can eat watermelon to improve lactation , and a large amount of water in the berry will help cleanse the body of toxins and stimulate the kidneys and excretory system, which will reduce swelling. The pectin contained in the fruit will relieve intestinal problems and improve digestion.

What are the benefits of watermelon?

Like any fruit, vegetable or berry (watermelon, by the way, is a berry), this product contains vitamins C, B1 and B2, trace elements, iron, magnesium and potassium. In addition, it contains useful acids: panthenolic and folic acid, as well as carotene.
Watermelon has a very high iron content.
The fruit is rich in pectins, which improve digestion.
Its juice removes stones and sand from the kidneys, cleanses the body of toxins, and regulates the digestive process.
It contains not only sucrose, but also glucose and fructose. This combination gives it a very sweet taste, but the product remains low in calories.
The smell and sight of a juicy treat improves your mood.

However, there are also negative qualities of this large berry.

What are the benefits of watermelon?

The berry is indispensable in the diet and has an excellent taste. It is considered as a cleanser for the body. Removes toxins, salts and toxic substances that have accumulated and affected your well-being. It has a diuretic effect: it relieves excess fluid and cleanses the kidneys. It is recommended to eat during the postpartum period to increase the hemoglobin level in the blood.

The culture contains components necessary for the health of children and adults:

Vitamin C. Strengthens the immune system, protects against infectious diseases.
Pantothenic acid. Has a positive effect on digestion.
Potassium and magnesium. Ensure the functioning of blood vessels and the heart, recovery after childbirth.
Iron. Enriches the blood, actively fights postpartum anemia.
Riboflavin. Protects the retina of the eyes from harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Folic acid. Has a beneficial effect on the child's nervous system. Helps increase milk production.

The berry is a remedy for the prevention of rheumatism, gout, gastritis, atherosclerosis, liver dysfunction, obesity, cardiac dysfunction.

This is a valuable product. But is it possible to eat watermelon while breastfeeding? Treats should be avoided in early summer due to the high nitrate content and the possibility of poisoning.

Indoor pineapple or pineapple in a pot

Growing at home is not particularly difficult. But following the rules of how to care is mandatory.

Decorative pineapple

This plant, when grown at home, does not always bear fruit. To obtain such a result, you need to carefully care for it. But it can be grown for decorative purposes. The way a pineapple looks can decorate your home. The rules for growing for decorative purposes are the same as in cases where you want to get fruit from a plant.

Germination
Next we will tell you step by step how to grow a pineapple at home from the top.

For growing, you need to choose the right pot. It is believed that its volume should be such that at least 2 cm remains from the plant to the edge. In most cases, these are chosen for growing. So that their diameter is 12-14 cm.

A good sign is the appearance of new leaves in the rosette of the pineapple tree. In this case, you can be sure that rooting was successful.

For your information! This plant is mostly a herb rather than a fruit.

Growing

It is recommended to choose the sunniest place for the pineapple in the apartment.

In order for the plant to grow well, it needs to be replanted every year. It is preferable to perform this procedure at the beginning of the summer.

What do pineapples grow well on? They grow well in a variety of soil types. However, it is better for him to purchase soil in which palm trees are usually grown from a specialized store. It is acceptable to use universal primer.

When planting, it is necessary to add a drainage layer to the bottom of the pot, reducing the likelihood of excessive moisture and protecting the pineapple from root rot. Exot does not need to fertilize.

The plant will not bloom immediately. This usually happens 1.5-2 years after planting in the ground. If the pineapple is provided with abundant light, then fruits can develop from the flowers.

When growing, it is advisable to provide a temperature of 25°C for this heat-loving plant. It is most comfortable for pineapple during spring, summer and autumn. In winter, a temperature of 20°C is best.

Pineapple does not require a lot of moisture. In summer, it is enough to water 2-3 times a week. At the same time, you need to make sure that there is no waterlogging. In winter, it is enough to supply the plant with moisture weekly.

Note! When watering, pour a little moisture into the outlet. Spraying can be done. When using tap water for this purpose, it must first be allowed to settle.