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Can a nursing mom eat kale?

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Can a nursing mother eat cabbage? Will such food harm the child, and what kind of cabbage should be preferred so as not to harm the child, but on the contrary, to get the maximum benefit for the baby. All these questions are of interest to every mother, because cabbage is a fairly common vegetable.

Benefits of cabbage during lactation

During lactation, every mother has to stay away from certain foods and is forced to stick to healthy foods to ensure the health of both mother and baby. Any negligence in diet and lifestyle can cause harm to both mother and baby. Considering healthy foods, what is a seemingly safe food is leafy greens. So, let us analyze the safety of eating one particular leafy green – cabbage – during breastfeeding.

Is it safe to eat cabbage while breastfeeding? Yes, it is safe to eat cabbage while breastfeeding as long as you cook it properly and choose the right ones. You should consider eating cabbage because it contains many health benefits. It is rich in nutrients and provides similar effects to taking a multivitamin pill.

There are many different varieties of cabbage. They are green, purple and white. Can a nursing mother eat white cabbage? This type of cabbage is the most common and is added to many dishes. This is a very healthy type of cabbage.

One of the main benefits of this product is that it helps in meeting the increased nutritional needs without weight gain: during lactation, the mother needs only 300-400 extra calories per day. Cabbage is low in calories, which means you can consume as much as you need without worrying about losing weight, while at the same time this vegetable provides most of the vital nutrients. Cabbage helps regulate bowel movements: the amount of fiber in cabbage is very high. This helps in bowel movements, therefore reducing the chances of constipation, the most common anxiety condition in mothers after childbirth and in babies in the first months of life.

Cabbage contains a large amount of folic acid, which is crucial for the health of the baby's nervous system. Therefore, adding cabbage to the mother's menu helps protect the child from nervous system defects and anemia.

Cabbage promotes bone health and improves immunity: it contains vitamin C and vitamin K. Since vitamin C helps improve immunity, vitamin K makes bones healthier and stronger, which is very important because the baby needs enough vitamins after birth for normal bone function.

Cabbage is a rich source of electrolytes. It contains minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium and phosphorus, which are essential for regulating heart rate and blood pressure. Regular consumption of cabbage reduces the risk of anemia: iron is essential for the formation of red blood cells. Iron is essential for the baby, as babies born prematurely may be at risk of developing anemia.

Can a nursing mother eat fresh cabbage? When breastfeeding, it is recommended to wash and cook cabbage thoroughly. This is because cabbage is known to carry pathogens that can lead to foodborne illnesses. The constant use of pesticides and fungicides makes cabbage more prone to parasitic and bacterial contamination. Therefore, washing and cooking cabbage thoroughly before eating ensures that the cabbage is free of these dangerous chemicals to ensure the health of you and your baby.

It is also important to consider that cabbage can contribute to the formation of gas, which causes colic in infants. Therefore, it is not recommended to eat fresh cabbage, but rather to cook it.

Speaking about the cooking method, a nursing mother can have stewed cabbage or boiled cabbage. It is important not to use a long cooking process, during which many vitamins are destroyed. It is best to boil the cabbage first, and then stew it a little with a minimum addition of oil.

Can a nursing mother eat pickled and salted cabbage? In most cases, eating pickled cabbage during lactation is considered safe and even has various health benefits. There are no known side effects of eating pickled cabbage. Pickled cabbage is full of various health benefits and can provide you with some very important nutrients that are important for both you and your baby. One serving of pickled cabbage contains about 2 mg of iron. Considering that raw cabbage can cause fermentation in you and disturbances in the baby, pickling cabbage will help reduce such manifestations and preserve all the elements, including iron. One serving of pickled cabbage is also rich in folate content. Folate prevents various birth defects in the baby. Vitamin C found in pickled cabbage will help your body absorb the iron that it also gets from the same food source. Eating one serving of pickled cabbage daily will also give you about 4 grams of fiber. Fiber will keep your digestion healthy and will help prevent constipation in your baby.

But it is better to avoid salted cabbage when breastfeeding. Salted cabbage also contains about 900 mg of sodium, which may be too much and you will feel thirsty. Your baby will feel the same, and in addition, too much salted cabbage can affect the taste of milk.

Sauerkraut can be very useful in small quantities during breastfeeding. It contains lactic acid bacteria, which normalize the baby's flora. In addition, in this form, cabbage contains the maximum amount of vitamin C.

You can also cook other dishes with cabbage, but you need to consider whether the baby has colic. At least, a nursing mother can eat cabbage pie or cabbage borscht after three months of the baby's life, when colic does not bother him.

Cabbage is often used as a home remedy. One of such applications is cabbage for lactostasis. This is a problem in which the mother's normal milk flow from the breast is disrupted and stasis occurs. This leads to engorgement and pain, as well as a number of unpleasant sensations. Cabbage helps improve milk flow and relieve swelling. To do this, take a medium cabbage leaf and heat it in a water bath so that it is warm, but not hot. This leaf should be placed on the chest and wrapped in gauze. The compress should be kept for 2-3 hours, after which the milk should be expressed in a circular motion. This treatment can only be used for lactostasis, when your body temperature is not elevated and there is no suspicion of other complications.

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Other types of cabbage during lactation

Chinese cabbage can be very nutritious and beneficial when eaten while breastfeeding. Chinese cabbage contains fiber, which is ideal for babies prone to constipation. The high calcium content in Chinese cabbage helps in the formation and development of bones and teeth in your growing baby.

The vitamin A content of this cabbage helps strengthen the immune system for both you and your baby. This is an important factor in the first months of your baby's immune system development.

The rich vitamin C in Chinese cabbage nourishes and protects the baby and also helps you avoid infections such as cough and cold.

The percentage of vitamin K present in this cabbage variety is higher than in all other varieties. Vitamin K helps maintain blood vessels and prevents the development of hemorrhagic disease in children.

Although green cabbage is the main variety used, red cabbage not only has additional nutritional properties, but also a pleasant taste. The rich color of red cabbage is due to the presence of anthocyanin pigments. Anthocyanin polyphenols have protective phytonutrients, so purple cabbage provides protective, preventive properties.

One serving of raw, shredded red cabbage contains 22 calories and 1 gram of protein, no fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 1.5 grams of fiber and 2.5 grams of natural sugar. This cabbage contains more than 90% water. Therefore, the gas-forming function of this type of cabbage is slightly lower.

Red cabbage while breastfeeding is also a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals. A serving of cooked red cabbage will provide 85 percent of your daily vitamin C needs and about 20 percent of your daily vitamin A needs. These vitamins are antioxidants, powerful natural chemicals that can help reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes, bone loss, stroke, heart attack, and kidney stones.

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals in the body that can cause cell damage and make you and your baby more susceptible to serious illnesses. Red cabbage is the vegetable with the highest antioxidant content. In addition, red cabbage has powerful nutritional properties that can help improve your health and may have the ability to treat or prevent disease, but it is also important to rely on the other vitamins and minerals that a balanced diet provides.

Red cabbage is also a great source of minerals such as manganese, iron, magnesium, and potassium. This cabbage provides dietary fiber, which greatly helps in the digestive tract function of the newborn. If you want to have healthy digestion in your baby, then eating this cabbage can be a good option. After all, constipation in newborns is a common problem that occurs due to immaturity of the colon function. Red cabbage contains high levels of dietary fiber, which helps in healthy digestion.

Eating red cabbage will help your immune system, especially in fighting disease.

It is no wonder that red cabbage is classified as a super food. Oxidative stress can cause DNA damage and start the growth of cancer cells. Red cabbage also contains glucosinolates that can inhibit the growth of cancer cells in the body. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are present in red cabbage can be an effective treatment for skin conditions in children, such as dermatitis. These benefits are also supported by the presence of sulfur in red cabbage. Sulfur is a mineral that is well known as an ingredient in many medications. Sulfur also has the ability to detoxify or cleanse the blood of toxic or harmful substances. It also enhances liver function to get rid of these harmful toxins.

The brain is one of the most important organs in the body. Your baby is actively developing during the first year, so it needs a lot of healthy minerals for the brain. Red cabbage contains some minerals like magnesium and manganese that contribute to protecting brain cells and maintaining healthy nerve function. By regularly consuming this cabbage, you can also keep the body from magnesium deficiency, which leads to some nerve problems. Red cabbage contains high anthocyanins and vitamins that protect the eyes from damage and improve vision.

Vitamin B complex is a cofactor for some metabolic enzymes, and they maintain normal metabolism inside cells. Metabolism is the main process of energy production, and you can imagine what would happen if we did not have enough energy to carry out our activities. Red cabbage certainly provides mom and baby with a rich amount of vitamin B complex.

Red cabbage is a good source of iron, which can prevent anemia. Anemia is a condition in which the body lacks red blood cells and oxygen transport is reduced. Some babies born with low birth weight may have this problem, so mothers can prevent this condition.

Calcium plays an important role in maintaining strong bones. By consuming red cabbage, you provide your body and your baby with some calcium, which can maintain bone mass and density during your child's rapid growth.

Cauliflower can be a very healthy and dietary product during breastfeeding, as it does not contain starch. Allergic reactions in a child when a mother eats cauliflower are very rare, but the beneficial properties of this cabbage variety are undeniable. Cauliflower contains the second largest amount of glucosinolates after broccoli. Glucosinolates are sulfur-containing compounds that give cauliflower its pungent smell and aroma. Glucosinolates activate the body's detoxification system.

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that promotes healthy skin and brain function. When you think of vitamin C, you might think of oranges or other fruits that are off-limits when breastfeeding. But cauliflower has a surprisingly high amount of vitamin C. One serving of raw cauliflower contains 52 mg. In comparison, a medium orange contains 64 mg.

Quickly cooking cauliflower reduces the sulfur smell, preserves crispness and color, and reduces the loss of nutrients. Steaming or microwaving cauliflower will preserve its vitamin content better than boiling. It provides vital minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and manganese without adding any harmful cholesterol. It is a source of protein and provides very low amounts of fat. Much of the fat it contains comes from unsaturated fats and essential omega-3 fatty acids. It also contains dietary fiber and has fewer natural sugars than other types of cabbage.

Cauliflower contains complex carbohydrates that are not completely broken down in the digestive tract. These carbohydrates are then processed by gut bacteria. This can sometimes lead to intestinal bloating, which is something to keep in mind when eating cauliflower.

Cauliflower also contains purines, which can cause various health problems if consumed in excess. Purines form uric acid, and excessive consumption of purine-rich foods can lead to a buildup of uric acid in the body.

Can a nursing mother eat seaweed? Of course, if the child tolerates this food well, then it is definitely possible, especially since it contains many good elements.

Some of the health benefits of kelp include its ability to regulate hormonal activity in the body, stimulate the immune system, prevent scurvy, boost metabolism, aid in weight loss, maintain kidney health and functionality, and improve digestion processes.

Seaweed contains a high content of dietary fiber, which makes it very useful for digestion. By helping to normalize the child's stool, seaweed ensures the health of the entire intestine.

Can a nursing mother eat Brussels sprouts and will it cause discomfort to the baby? Brussels sprouts have a much higher protein content than most vegetables, and when you add in all the vitamins and minerals they contain, you get the maximum amount of protein. The list of health benefits of Brussels sprouts starts with DNA protection. Recent studies have found that some of the compounds found in Brussels sprouts can improve the stability of your DNA. These compounds block harmful enzyme activity that can damage the stability of DNA in white blood cells.

Another great health benefit of Brussels sprouts is that Brussels sprouts have the ability to control inflammation and even reverse damage in blood vessels. This is due to the compound sulforaphane isothiocyanate, which is made from glucosinolates found in vegetables, and it can help prevent problems in your baby.

Brussels sprouts are especially high in vitamin K, which is essential for promoting healthy bones and preventing calcification in the body. Just one serving of sprouts will provide you with more vitamin K than the minimum recommended daily intake for newborns.

The health benefits of Brussels sprouts also include detoxification of the body. Enzyme systems in your body's cells use compounds called glucosinolates to aid in the detoxification process. Glucosinolates activate the detoxification process and help the body eliminate unwanted substances.

Brussels sprouts contain flavonoids, as well as a range of vitamins (A, C, K, B-6), minerals, and selenium, which help protect your body from the effects of oxidative stress on your cells.

Another important health benefit of Brussels sprouts is that they are a rich source of vitamin C. Just a 100-gram serving of cooked Brussels sprouts contains more than 100% of the daily requirement for vitamin C because these little vegetables contain more vitamin C than oranges. Vitamin C plays many important roles in the body, including helping to create a healthy immune system and preventing high blood pressure.

Chinese cabbage is also beneficial for a nursing mother. Chinese cabbage has long been recognized as a plant product that promotes health. Chinese cabbage contains calcium and potassium, which are used by the body to regulate blood pressure. When you combine this with the low sodium content of Chinese cabbage, you get a vegetable that is good for supporting your cardiovascular system. The potassium content in Chinese cabbage helps maintain healthy brain function, relieves hypertension, and regulates blood sugar levels in the baby.

Chinese cabbage has a high iron content, which is an important mineral used by the body to produce hemoglobin in the blood. After the birth of the baby and during lactation, the mother may experience a deficiency of this element, so it is important to ensure that the mother has sufficient iron levels.

The flavonoid content and high amounts of vitamin A and C make Chinese cabbage a rich source of antioxidants. The vitamin A content in Chinese cabbage keeps the eyes healthy. The vitamin C content in Chinese cabbage is required by the body to produce collagen, a protein that is responsible for maintaining youthfulness and elasticity of the skin.

Chinese cabbage contains antiseptic and antibacterial properties, helping to fight unwanted organisms. Therefore, eating such cabbage during lactation is beneficial for both mother and child.

Many health benefits of different types of cabbage have been considered. But it is important to remember that there may be contraindications to the use of this product. If your baby suffers from intestinal colic, which happens very often in the first three months, then you cannot eat cabbage. After all, possible complications are increased gas formation in the intestines and the development of spasmodic pain.

Reviews of taking cabbage when feeding a child are very different. Therefore, it is necessary to take into account the child's individual tolerance and sensitivity to certain products.

When talking about eating cabbage while breastfeeding, it is important to know that any type of cabbage is very healthy. In addition to its low energy value, cabbage has many vitamins for a child when properly prepared and consumed. Therefore, if your baby responds well to this vegetable, you can eat cabbage while lactating.

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