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Can you drink Ensure drinks while breastfeeding?

Can You Drink Ensure Drinks While Breastfeeding?
When it comes to nutrition during breastfeeding, many mothers seek convenient options to ensure they are meeting their dietary needs. One such option is Ensure, a nutritional supplement designed to provide essential vitamins and minerals. The question arises: Is it safe to drink Ensure while breastfeeding?
Nutritional Benefits of Ensure
Ensure drinks are formulated to provide a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. For breastfeeding mothers, maintaining a well-rounded diet is crucial, as it supports both their health and the nutritional needs of their infants. Ensure can be particularly beneficial for mothers who may struggle to consume enough calories or nutrients due to fatigue or dietary restrictions.
Safety Considerations
While Ensure is generally considered safe for most adults, including breastfeeding mothers, it is essential to consider a few factors:
1. Ingredients: Ensure contains a variety of ingredients, including sugars and artificial flavors. Mothers should check the label for any components that they might be allergic to or wish to avoid.
2. Caloric Intake: Ensure is calorie-dense, which can be beneficial for mothers needing extra energy. However, it’s important to balance this with other food sources to avoid excessive calorie intake.
3. Hydration: Ensure should not replace water or other hydrating fluids. Staying well-hydrated is vital for milk production and overall health.
4. Consultation with Healthcare Providers: As with any dietary supplement, it’s advisable for breastfeeding mothers to consult with their healthcare provider before incorporating Ensure into their diet. This is particularly important for those with specific health conditions or dietary needs.
Conclusion
In summary, drinking Ensure while breastfeeding can be a safe and effective way to supplement nutrition, provided that mothers are mindful of the ingredients and their overall dietary balance. As always, consulting with a healthcare professional can help ensure that both mother and baby are receiving the best possible nutrition during this critical time.

Can I drink Ensure while breastfeeding?

Via their website: “Ensure® products can be consumed by pregnant and lactating women to help meet their nutritional needs. Pregnant and lactating women should always follow the medical advice of their health care providers and consult their doctor if they plan on consuming more than one serving per day.

Does protein intake affect breast milk?

Breastfeeding mothers need a protein intake of 65–71 g daily or an additional 17 g per day [15]. Amino acids, especially essential amino acids, play an important role in the synthesis of milk protein and are able to increase the production of milk and milk protein [16].

Is it safe to drink protein shakes while breastfeeding?

Can breastfeeding moms drink protein shakes? Yes! Protein shakes are a good option for a quick, healthy snack, as well as a simple, convenient way to boost daily protein intake. However, it is not recommended that protein drinks become a meal replacement in a regular diet.

How to ensure effective breastfeeding?

Supporting their neck, shoulders and back should allow them to tilt their head back and swallow easily. Always bring your baby to the breast and let them latch themselves. Avoid leaning your breast forward into your baby’s mouth, as this can lead to poor attachment. Your baby needs to get a big mouthful of breast.

What drinks to avoid when breastfeeding?

Foods and drinks to avoid while breastfeeding
Caffeine passes into breastmilk, so large amounts of tea, coffee and cola drinks are best avoided. Drinking small amounts of drinks with caffeine (3 or less drinks a day) should not be a problem. Alcohol also passes into breastmilk and can affect your baby.

What to drink to increase breast milk?

Drinks to increase nutrients in breast milk

  • Water. Plain water tops the list because not getting enough of it can directly reduce your milk supply.
  • Cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is on the list because of its nutrient density.
  • Herbal tea with fenugreek.
  • Fruit smoothie with chia seeds.
  • Coconut water.
  • Juice.

Are meal replacement shakes ok while breastfeeding?

Most shakes in the supermarket are full of artificial nasties and chemicals which are not safe and may be passed on to your baby through breastmilk. Choosing a shake that is made specifically for breastfeeding women is essential.

What is the downside of Ensure?

Mild nausea and vomiting may occur. These effects can be decreased by taking this product slowly in small amounts with a spoon. If any of these effects last or get worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What should you not do while breastfeeding?

What foods and drinks should I limit or avoid while breastfeeding?

  • Alcohol. There’s no level of alcohol in breast milk that’s considered safe for a baby.
  • Caffeine. Avoid drinking more than 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of caffeinated drinks a day.
  • Fish. Seafood can be a great source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids.

How to ensure you will be able to breastfeed?

From the moment your baby is born, there are a number of things you can do to improve your chances for breastfeeding success.

  1. Stay together after the birth.
  2. Get your position and attachment right.
  3. Be patient.
  4. Feed on demand or according to need.
  5. Keep baby in the room with you.
  6. Avoid teats, dummies, and complementary feeds.
Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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