Are you a new mother worrying about whether your child is getting enough milk? Are you a mother intended to stick to a diet that ensures sufficient milk for your baby? Are you a new mother who hesitates to eat the food you like most thinking that it may get into the breast milk and affect the health of your baby? No wonder that thoughts grip your mind as your baby is surviving on your breast milk alone. It is true that the essence of many foods you eat can get into the breast milk and influence the health of the baby. And also, there are lots of food that is not safe while breastfeeding.

Ok. Now, are you deeply fond of papaya?Are you are not having it because you think that it may affect your baby’s health as you may have already heard that it is not safe to eat papaya during pregnancy as it triggers an abortion? The medicinal value of papaya is well-known from the ancient time. But the question is, is it safe to have it during the lactation period. This article may help you to find the answer.

• Is It Safe To Eat Papaya During Breastfeeding?
• What Are The Benefits Of Eating Papaya During Lactation Period?
• Is Cooked Papaya Equally Beneficial As Uncooked One?
• Green Papaya Or Ripe Papaya, Which Is More Beneficial During Breastfeeding?
• How Can I Have Papaya During Breastfeeding?
• When To Avoid Papaya During Breastfeeding?
• What Causes Papaya Allergy?
• What Are The Warning Signs Of Papaya Allergy?

Is It Safe To Eat Papaya During Breastfeeding?

Yes,it is absolutely safe to eat papaya while breastfeeding, provided, the mother has no allergy towards it. Also, moderate consumption is recommended as over consumption of anything during the lactating period can harm the mother and the little one.

What Are The Benefits Of Eating Papaya During Lactation Period?

The benefits of raw and ripe papaya differ. As raw papaya helps to regulate diarrhea, ripe papaya helps to prevent constipation.
Raw papaya is approved as a galactagogic (inducing lactation) across Asia. This is because green papaya increases the production of a hormone – oxytocin – in mother’s body which is the hormone that regulates the milk production.
It also improves quality of the breast milk for the reason that it is a good source of vitamins [vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid), folate (salt of folic acid, a member of vitamin B complex), vitamin E, and vitamin A] and minerals[calcium, magnesium, potassium]. It is also a low calorie food with just 39 calories per 100 gm bowl of papaya. Papaya is also very good for the digestive system and it helps in regular bowel movements keeping constipation at a bay.

Is Cooked Papaya Equally Beneficial As Uncooked One?

Raw papaya has an unappealing taste. So it is mostly preferred to be cooked with other vegetables while making stew or curries, or else can be consumed in a stir-fried form, or can be added in a vegetable soup. Some like to have it in the form of salad with a dash of lemon juice with some pepper and salt to enhance the taste. Studies show that raw papaya, cooked or uncooked, are equally beneficial.

Green Papaya Or Ripe Papaya, Which Is More Beneficial During Breastfeeding?

It is suggested to add raw papaya to the vegetables or including whole ripe papaya in the diet. However, raw or green papaya possess high medicinal value than the ripe one. This is because the enzymes and minerals are more concentrated in raw or green papaya than the ripe one.

How Can I Have Papaya During Breastfeeding?

Because if its bland taste, green papaya can be made interesting by adding some ingredients and thus it makes for a great snacking option. Cut a salad for yourself, season it with some lime juice and hot peppers and relish a bowlful. You can even try cooking the green papaya curry, which is a traditional dish of South Asia. Have it stir fried or make a green papaya stew. Not only will it help in boosting your breast milk production but will also satiate those untimely hunger pangs.

When To Avoid Papaya During Breastfeeding?

Even though papaya is highly recommended while breastfeeding, you are not supposed to eat papaya, if any one of your intimate family members is allergic to papaya or even if you show even slight allergy towards the papaya.

What Causes Papaya Allergy?

The skin and fruit of papaya contain an enzyme almost identical to latex. This enzyme is accountable for the allergic reaction of papaya.This enzyme is mistaken for an allergen by the body and the body tries to dispose of it by making a particular antibody called IgE. The reaction of the antibody causes an allergic reaction which varies from mild to severe from person to person.

What Are The Warning Signs Of Papaya Allergy?

• Itchy rashes and redness on the skin when the skin touches the latex of the papaya
• Chest congestion and breathing trouble
• Burning sensation along with the Inflammation of oral cavity, mouth, and lips (oral allergic symptom) while eating papaya
• Diarrhea and vomiting to eliminate the annoying allergen
• The most severe allergic reaction is stop breathing and falling unconscious

Now, there is no wonder papaya is called “fruit of angels”, considering its benefits. Go ahead and include it in your postpartum diet. Other than producing more breast milk it will also help you to heal fast from the injuries from your delivery.