Many mothers struggle with increasing breast milk supply. Throughout pregnancy, the body is preparing to produce nature’s ultimate baby food; and an adequate diet that includes a variety of healthy foods is crucial and directly linked to how much breast milk you can feed your newborn. If your diet lacks nutrition, your body will tap on its own reserves leaving you to feel fatigued, weak and drained.

When you are healthy, well rested, and alert, and feeding yourself the right kinds of nutritious foods, you improve the quality of your breast milk and you will find it surprisingly easy to produce more too. Made with fresh milk and nutritious oat, oat milk is one of the beverages that fulfils the nutritious food criteria and at the same time, enhances breast milk production.

What is it about Oat Milk?

Containing less than half the fat – but 67% more calcium than regular milk¹, oat milk is the buzzword when it comes to breakfast options for many mothers. While research has not been able to prove the effects oats, oatmeal and oat milk has on enhancing milk production, there are numerous, positive accounts of women and lactation consultants who are thoroughly convinced. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) ², Kelly Bonyata identifies that the consumption of oats is a healthy, safe and natural way to assist in increasing milk supply.

One feature that oats are celebrated for is its wealthy supply of iron. With a sufficient supply, mothers can combat the common maternal anaemia, which has been scientifically proven to have a direct effect on the volume of milk in the breast. Iron also plays a vital role for nursing moms as it supplies them with an additional boost of energy to improve their overall wellbeing that will in turn create a higher volume of milk.

Another reason for the emphasis of iron consumption for a lactating mother is that she needs to replace lost blood during pregnancy, so that she can protect herself from various diseases and breastfeed her infant. What’s more, iron has the ability to elevate maternal immune systems. This decreases the possibilities of ailments including clogged milk ducts, thrush and sore nipples.

Oats also boast a wide array of other nutrients like beta-glucans, phytochemicals, protein, fibre and carbohydrates that will promote an even higher quantity and quality of milk produced. What’s greatly interesting about this food is that it can help mothers to relax, which causes her body to produce a milk production hormone known as oxytocin. Oxytocin aids with the milk let-down reflex as well as promotes feelings of trust that can be beautifully transmitted to your baby who will thus, feed better!

Supplementing with oatmeal alone is not enough to increase milk supply. Another noteworthy food that holds many vital vitamins and minerals for mother and baby is, milk. While a mother nurses her little tot, she draws calcium from her body and passes it on to her baby for the healthy development of his/her bones. So it is important that she replenishes her calcium supply to maintain lactation

Not only is oat milk packed with vitamins and minerals, you would also be glad to know that it is low in fat. Yet, thanks to the water-soluble fibre found in oats that swell up in the stomach, drinking oat milk promotes satiety. Now that’s sure fire way to aid you in losing that pregnancy weight!

How Much Oat Milk to Drink?

Based on the recommended daily calcium intake of 1300mg for breastfeeding moms versus 800mg for average adult between 19 to 50 years old; a breastfeeding mom requires 1.625 times more calcium than the latter. Thus, the ideal daily intake of oat milk for a nursing mom is three and a quarter glasses.

While it is essential to be aware of how much oat milk you should be drinking, you should also be conscious how much time your body needs for the oat milk to take effect. A basic rule of thumb would be to consume the oat milk at least four to six hours before breastfeeding. However many variables including how often you nurse, the type of food you eat, your body’s chemistry and metabolism; can increase the speed of effect to an hour or decrease it to as long as 24 hours. In order to best control this, mothers should cultivate the habit of drinking oat milk daily.

Making Sure Oat Milk is Safe for Consumption

It’s one thing to have your fridge stocked with an endless supply of oat milk, but another to ensure that it is fresh and safe for consumption for you, so that it wouldn’t affect the supply to your newborn. While milk is pasteurized to make it safe to drink, the nutrient-laden creamy beverage still remains a delicate fresh produce. Once a carton of milk is opened, it is exposed to oxidation, loses quality and begins to lose its freshness rapidly.

The Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) recommends that milk when opened be consumed within two to three days³. Milk opened any longer than this runs the risk of becoming infested with unhealthy bacteria. This can affect the quality and amount of milk supply and may lead you to unknowingly transmit viruses or diseases to your child. This can be so mild you might not even realize it but it can pose as a threat to a newborn who has few immunity defenses.

1.The description for oat milk is only in reference to Magnolia’s Lo-Fat Hi-Cal Oat Milk

2 The International Board Certified Lactation Consultants are part of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA).

ILCA is a non-governmental organisation with UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO).

3 http://www.ava.gov.sg/explore-by-sections/food/food-safety-quality/good-food-safety-practices