Are Electrolyte Drinks While Breastfeeding Safe?
Are electrolyte drinks healthy for breastfeeding mothers to drink? We have the answers to this question, which most mothers are attempting to answer. Our bodies are 60% water, therefore it’s critical to maintain hydration.
In order to increase milk production throughout this nursing time, it is crucial for breastfeeding moms, who make around a quart of breast milk supply each day, to maintain their hydration. Here, electrolytes can aid in rehydrating the body and encouraging the production of milk.
What are electrolytes?
Minerals known as electrolytes carry electrically charged ions and are dissolved in polar solvents like plain water. They also assist in controlling important bodily functions.
These processes involve hydration, pH regulation, muscle contraction, and neuronal signaling. Your body needs a variety of key electrolytes to carry out these vital functions, including sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, and chloride.
Electrolyte and hydration
Without getting too technical, let’s return to the fundamentals of science. Electrolytes are created when vital minerals in our bodies dissolve in liquids. We lose electrolytes through perspiration, blood, and urine.
Additionally, they are crucial for:
- Keeping your body properly hydrated
- Controlling how muscles work.
- Controlling the nerve activity
- Keeping the acid-base balance is in check
Our bodies include electrolytes such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium.
Choosing the right kind of electrolyte drinks while breastfeeding
87% of the milk produced by a nursing mother is water. But most of the water evaporates during milk production ( about 750 ml per day in the first 6 months). In order to make up for the water loss, the mother should drink about 3.1 liters (13 cups) of water every day.
Although drinks with added electrolytes might help you regain your energy and hydration, it’s important for mothers to make the appropriate decision. Electrolyte beverages that are loaded with dangerous chemicals, additional sugar, and caffeine might be more detrimental to the breastfeeding baby than beneficial.
As a result, try to avoid chemical-filled sugary drinks and choose organic electrolytes-enhanced drinks with calcium, potassium, and magnesium, to mention a few. We’ll go over some nutritious and secure electrolyte drinks for nursing mothers as well as some to steer clear of.
Coconut water
A wholesome drink with natural electrolytes? We definitely support that! Coconut water not only has a low natural sugar content, but it also has a lot of natural electrolytes, is nourishing, and has other health advantages. For instance, it may promote the creation of lauric and capric acids in breast milk, which may improve the immune system and bone growth of your baby.
Therefore, coconut water is a fantastic option for nursing mothers. Choosing coconut water prepared from organic, fresh coconuts is a wise move. To lessen bloating, avoid taking it in large quantities.
Fruit juices
Vitamins, antioxidants, and organic electrolytes are abundant in natural fruit juices. Fruit juices are thus a healthy option for nursing mothers. For instance, orange and cherry juice is rich in potassium, magnesium, and phosphorus, three natural electrolytes.
Pro tip:
To reap the full advantages of fruit juices’ natural components, make your own. If you decide to pick pre-made fruit juices, be sure to select organic juices free of additional artificial sugar.
Energy drinks
Not all energy drinks are made equal, despite the fact that they can provide this energy boost. For a mother who is nursing, caffeine added sugar, and chemicals are causes for concern.
Additionally, if your baby is exposed to caffeine from breast milk, they may become more agitated and have trouble falling asleep. Try to choose healthier beverages with added electrolytes, such as coconut water or fruit juices.
Sports drinks
After a strenuous workout or exercise, athletes turn to sports drinks to replace their electrolytes, carbohydrates, and energy. However, some sports drinks contain additional artificial sweeteners, chemicals, and caffeine that nursing moms should avoid.
Replace the sports drink that is loaded with chemicals and sugar with your own, healthier alternative! Three simple ingredients—100% fruit juice, coconut water, and a dash of salt are all you need to make it.
Vegetable juice
When you are nursing, make your own vegetable juice at home to supplement your diet with essential vitamins. If you’re short on time, like many new mothers are, you can choose to acquire your daily serving of vegetable juice from V8. They provide a wide variety of flavor combinations. Check out your local grocery shop, or order the original V8 or V8 fruit fusion from Amazon.
Nut milk
If your baby is reacting to dairy in the mother’s diet, nut milk is a fantastic alternative. Actually, the most common cause of reflux or eczema in babies is dairy. If you need to cut out dairy but still want milk in your diet, almond milk or coconut milk are fantastic alternatives. Almond milk is available in numerous flavors so will be easy to switch from conventional milk to almond milk.
Starbucks’ “Pink Drink”
The Strawberry Acai Refresher is popular among women who are nursing because it helps them produce more milk. Coconut milk serves as the primary ingredient of this drink. As you probably already know, consuming a lot of electrolytes will help you nurse longer and produce more milk.
How much fluid do breastfeeding mothers need?
Although studies have shown that nursing moms do not need to consume any more additional water intake than what is required to quench their thirst, professionals advise consuming about 128 ounces daily. To make up for the fluids lost when breastfeeding, nursing mothers should increase their daily consumption from around 64 ounces to about 100 ounces.
According to the Institute of Medicine, breastfeeding mothers often take 3.1 liters (13 cups) of fluid on average, compared to 2.2 liters (9 cups) for lactating women who are not pregnant and 2.3 liters (10 cups) for pregnant women.
Although staying hydrated is crucial, there’s no need to “force fluids” or become an obsessive water drinker! You cannot create more milk by consuming more glasses of water than you require. In reality, forcing fluids has been demonstrated to reduce milk production due to an odd biochemical quirk.
Final thoughts
It’s important to select a safe and healthful drink even though electrolyte enhanced drinks might aid nursing mothers in regaining their energy and proper hydration. This will be in line with your medical requirements and give your child all the nutrition they require.
Additionally, your doctor or lactation consultant is always available to help you choose the best beverage choice. The healthful nutrients and electrolytes you require can ultimately be obtained through natural food or liquids.