Garlic And Breastfeeding – Is It Safe?

In some cultures, garlic is also thought to ward off the evil eye! All in all, garlic with its strong odor and flavor, along with many medicinal benefits can be an interesting addition to your diet, providing you and your little one are tolerant of it.

Garlic And Breastfeeding

Used as a galactagogue specifically in India, garlic’s odor that gets transmitted to breast milk has been found to make an infant suck longer and better. The garlic that you consume in your diet does travel into your breast milk and alters the smell and taste. If your baby likes the flavor, it may be well to include garlic in your day-to-day diet.

However, babies who are colicky are generally found to repel garlic, so it is best avoided. As with any food, if you find your baby getting fussy and irritated after you eat garlic, it is best to be avoided it.

Garlic has often been found to be recommended to increase the supply of breast milk. Many women swear that their breast milk production increased after they added garlic to their diet. Though the scientific study does not support this claim, garlic has been used as an herbal treatment to enhance breast milk supply.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Garlic?

Garlic has been often recommended to be included in the diet as a food or a dietary supplement owing to the immense health benefits it offers.

Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure: Garlic is known to boost and improve heart health by controlling and lowering both cholesterol and blood pressure. Garlic dilates the blood vessels, and thinning of blood lowers cholesterol levels in the body.

• For boosting breast milk supply Garlic has been recommended to increase the production of breast milk since times immemorial. The pungent flavor of garlic is believed to help infants suck longer and better
• Helps in digestion Not only for breastfeeding mothers, but garlic can be helpful in eliminating digestive problems in anyone. It improves digestion by keeping the digestive tract healthy
• Anti-infective properties Garlic has anti-infective properties and can be used to treat bacterial and viral infections.
• Anti-fungal Garlic has also been used as a topical treatment for fungal infections such as yeast and candida. However, it should be applied topically with extreme caution as it may cause burns

Garlic may also be useful for treating common colds, asthma, cancer, and other infections. Garlic, when introduced to babies through breast milk is found to help infants make better food choices in later life.

How Can I Include Garlic In My Diet To Increase Breast Milk?

In many Indian households, garlic is used in everyday cooking in tempering food items. Garlic can also be added to pasta, noodles, vegetables, and vegetarian and non-vegetarian gravy items.

One or two cloves of garlic are considered safe during the time when you are breastfeeding. Garlic will cause no harm to your baby in moderate amounts, unless your baby is colicky, in which case the pungency of garlic may irritate your baby.

When Should Eating Garlic Be Avoided?

As with any food, garlic should also be consumed in moderation to derive maximum benefits.
Some cases when garlic should be avoided are:

• Garlic should not be consumed by people who are hypoglycemic or diabetic as it lowers blood sugar levels.
  Since garlic can be a blood thinning agent when taken in excess, avoid it if you are on anticoagulant medications or blood thinners.
• Garlic does have allergic properties and should not be consumed by people who are allergic to onion, leeks, chives, and other members of the lily food family.

Can I Give Garlic To My Baby Directly?

Garlic should never be given to babies directly, they should get it only through breast milk. Never give garlic directly to your baby, even if you feel it is a very small quantity. Owing to its anti-platelet effects, garlic should be used cautiously by women who are at risk of bleeding.

Thus, garlic should be consumed in moderation only, if you and your baby are tolerant of it. Never take garlic supplements unless specifically prescribed by your doctor. Garlic can be a wonderfully healthy addition to your daily diet but do avoid it if you or your baby have any issues with the consumption of garlic.

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