Can you drink cocoa while breastfeeding?

A newborn baby has an immature digestive system, so absolutely any product can cause an unpredictable reaction of the stomach: colic, gas, increased acidity, etc. Even tasty and healthy cocoa is not recommended for breastfeeding, because the beans that make drink and chocolate, are strong allergens.

Of course, if you listen to nutritionists and pediatricians, the expectant mother can eat only air and natural milk. Cocoa, like any product, has contraindications and side effects, but if used properly, it will benefit the mother and baby.

Properties and benefits of cocoa during lactation

All pediatricians remember cocoa as a source of caffeine. However, this tonic component in it is very small - 0.2%, so with normal use of the drink, it will not overwhelm the nervous and cardiovascular systems.

In addition to caffeine, it also contains other beneficial substances:

• proteins of vegetable (cocoa beans) and animal (milk) origin;
• vitamins of groups A, B, E and PP;
• minerals (calcium, potassium, magnesium and others);
• cocoa oil;
• organic acids;
• tanning components (tannin);
• polysaccharides;
• cellulose;
• alkaloids (theobromine);
• starch, etc.

Thanks to these substances, the beneficial properties of cocoa for the body are noted.

1. Stimulation of the central nervous system. Improves memory and concentration, attention, productivity, improves mood. The brain works better, allowing you to learn new small body. Cocoa beans contribute to the production of "hormones of happiness": serotonin and endorphin. They improve overall well-being and mood, soothe and help fight depression.
2. Strengthening the cardiovascular system. Potassium and magnesium tone up the vessels and the heart muscle, increase the elasticity of the vascular walls, gently reduce pressure, improve blood flow in the brain.
3. Improving the condition of the skin, nails and hair. “Vitamins of beauty” A and E have a positive effect on the regeneration of the epidermis, strengthen and accelerate the growth of the nail plate, heal the hair follicles.
4. Strengthening the musculoskeletal system. Cocoa contains valuable proteins and calcium, which develop the bone and muscle tissue of organisms, contribute to the proper formation of the skeleton in the crumbs.
5. Cleanse the body. Tannins and other components allow you to clean the body of toxins, slags, poisons, metal salts and metabolites.

How to choose

Most of the powders on the market were obtained from beans grown with chemicals. Collection and processing take place in undeveloped countries with non-compliance with sanitary standards. All this can lead to the production of poor-quality product that will cause an allergy or an eating disorder in infants.

What you need to know when choosing raw materials:

1. High price. Unfortunately, in most cases only it is an indicator of decent quality powder.
2. Packaging. Prefer raw materials packed in foil - so it will retain useful properties longer and will be protected from moisture, parasites and sunlight. Moisture may penetrate the cartons and ruin the product.
3. Composition. During lactation, only natural cocoa can be used - that is, ground cocoa powder with added butter.Children's Nesquik, Brumi and other similar brands contain sugar, flavor enhancers and flavorings that can still harm a baby.
4. Manufacturer. Avoid acquiring a Chinese product, as the country simply buys second-rate raw materials, packs and processes them, and as a result, low-quality but cheap goods are obtained. Natural cocoa bean powder from South America is considered worthy.
5. Fat During breastfeeding, prefer a product with fat content up to 15%.
6. Grinding Good cocoa will be finely ground, not granulated.

How to use

A woman should enter the drink in the diet, taking precautions.

1. Do not drink cocoa until the baby is 3 months old. At the first test do not allow yourself more than 1-2 sips. At the same time, observe the reaction of the child during the day - whether a rash on the skin has appeared, if the behavior has not changed, if the gaziki have become frequent. If all is well, the dose can be increased, and if there are warning signs, then postpone the attempt for another month.
2. Drink after feeding. This will reduce the risk of allergic reactions in a child, because part of the drink and its components will have time to digest.
3. Do not use more often 2 times a week.There are no more than 1 standard cup per day (up to 200 ml).
4. Drink in the morning. Caffeine can cause excitement of the crumbs, with the result that at night it will not fall asleep.
5. Do not brew strong cocoa - no more than 1 teaspoon of natural product per cup in 300 ml. Do not abuse the sugar during cooking, and use milk with low fat content.
6. Do not drink on the day when your baby is suffering from colic, diarrhea, or he has eaten badly.

Is cocoa harmful to babies?

Unfortunately, cocoa beans contain elements harmful to the child.

1. Caffeine. Even in low concentrations, it can overexcite the fragile central nervous system, as a result of which the crumb becomes restless, it does not sleep well.
2. Alkaloids. Normally, these substances have a positive effect on the adult body. But dangerous theobromine, along with caffeine, stimulates the brain and peripheral nervous system. It also interferes with the normal absorption of calcium, as a result of which the bone apparatus of the child and his kidney may suffer.
3. Allergens. In this case, the individual reaction of the body can cause cocoa butter, proteins and chitin (cockroach's shell).
4. Carcasses of parasites. Strangely enough, but in the modern world they have not learned how to process cocoa beans normally, therefore carcasses of cockroaches-inhabitants regularly fall into common grinding.
5. Chemical components. We all buy cocoa of a certain firm. The manufacturer can use various preservatives, enhancers, flavors and colors to improve the color and taste of the powder. In addition, we do not know on which plantation cocoa beans were grown - whether pesticides and chemicals were used to accelerate growth, treatment from parasites, etc.

Cocoa when breastfeeding can be drunk rarely and with caution. It is important to closely monitor the reaction of the baby to the drink, not to abuse it in the evening and, if possible, use only 100% cocoa powder.

Video: what and how much to drink when breastfeeding?