Congratulations, new Mama, what an amazing job you are doing!
You have grown a baby, birthed this tiny new person and now you are nourishing and nurturing your little one through breastfeeding – around the clock!
Is it any wonder you feel tired and overwhelmed, but who is caring for you as you recover? How are you being nourished?
A hug and some warming broth or soup could be your best ‘medicine’
New mothers in all cultures have long been fed broth and soups to nourish and heal after childbirth and to support a healthy milk supply. For instance, new mothers in Peru have traditionally been fed Quinoa soup; mothers in Asian countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines drink Torbangun soup; while mothers in China, where food as medicine is a long tradition, along with ‘zuo yuezi’ a confinement (resting) month after birth, warming broths with added healing elements and herbs to boost breastmilk are made for postnatal mums by grandmothers and aunties.
Heng Ou author of ‘The First Forty Days, The Essential Art of Nourishing The New Mother,’ explains how traditional Chinese postnatal meals include foods rich in iron to rebuild blood, protein to repair tissues and support hormones, fatty acids to enrich the breastmilk, vitamins and anti-oxidants to speed tissue healing, and therapeutic herbs and spices to counter inflammation and boost milk flow.
Bone broth is a perfect postnatal food.
Bone broth is a nutrient-dense liquid made by simmering animal bones, connective tissue, vegetables and herbs in water (add some vinegar to help draw calcium from the bones into the liquid) for an extended period of time, usually at least overnight (hello, slow-cooker). It’s a rich source of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, all of which can support lactation and overall health in breastfeeding mothers. You can drink bone broth as it is, use it as a base for soups, or in recipes instead of stock, or add it to ready-made, bought soups to boost nutrition.
Seven amazing benefits of bone broth for breastfeeding mums:
1)Provides essential nutrients: Bone broth is a rich source of nutrients such as calcium, magnesium and phosphorous, all of which are important for building strong bones and teeth in both you and your baby. It also contains collagen, a protein that supports skin, joint and gut health and it’s a good source of potassium, omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, iron, selenium, zinc, and vitamins A, B2, B12, and E.
2) Promotes hydration: Drinking bone broth is a delicious and nourishing way to increase your fluid intake and stay hydrated, which helps maintain your milk supply.
3) Supports gut health: The gelatin and collagen in bone broth help repair the lining of the intestines, improve digestion, and reduce inflammation in the gut, helping to prevent leaky gut syndrome and digestive issues.
A healthy gut microbiota is essential for overall health and for absorption of nutrients. This can be especially beneficial for breastfeeding mothers as it’s thought that by having a healthy gut yourself, this could help prevent digestive issues for your baby.
4) Boosts your immune system: Bone broth is rich in immune-supportive nutrients like zinc, selenium, and vitamin C, which can help boost your immune system and protect against infections and illness.
5) Supports Lactation: Bone broth contains galactagogues, which are substances that help increase milk production in nursing mothers. The collagen in bone broth can also help promote skin elasticity and reduce the risk of developing stretch marks, which can be common during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
6) Supports postpartum healing: Whether you have a natural or surgical birth, it’s important to support your body’s healing process during the postpartum period and avoid postnatal depletion (it’s a thing!). Bone broth is rich in collagen, which is essential for rebuilding connective tissues that may have been damaged during labour and delivery. Drinking bone broth can help speed up the healing process and promote tissue repair.
7) Boosts energy: Bone broth is a good source of protein and minerals that can help restore your energy levels - and who doesn’t need a boost of energy to manage the massive demands of caring for a baby around the clock?
Bone broth is rich in amino acids, minerals and other nutrients that can help support lactation, hydrate, and replenish your body, promote gut health, boost immunity and support postpartum healing. Incorporating bone broth in your diet, is an easy and delicious way to support your breastfeeding journey and overall health, ensuring that both you and your baby are getting essential nutrients.
Pinky's Boobie Broth
Pinky’s Boobie Broth ™ makes a delicious, sustaining ‘pick-me-up’ and is a perfect postnatal recovery and breastfeeding support food to nourish you as you breastfeed your baby.
Created by International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC), Pinky McKay, and a team of nutrition professionals and Food Scientists, our Chicken & Vegetable Bone Broth Powder is based on a research project with nutrition experts at Victoria University, Melbourne.
Boobie Broth™ has been nutritionally formulated from certified organic chicken bones and vegetables that are cooked gently for 18 hours to release essential nutrients, including vitamins, amino acids and essential fatty acids. The broth is then blended with specially selected lactogenic plant ingredients that have been shown by research to encourage a healthy breastmilk supply, whilst bone broth has been shown to support gut health and have anti-inflammatory effects.
Simply add two teaspoons (8Grams) of powder to a cup of hot water and enjoy an easy, nutritious drink that can boost your breastmilk.
