Confinement food recipes for breastfeeding mums is important. A healthy diet is essential for breastfeeding mums who want to provide good nutrition to their babies.
So, it’s not simply because your health is important; there are also health benefits to your baby too. Being healthy during breastfeeding has a positive effect on an infant’s development, both physically and intellectually.
Confinement Food Recipes for Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mums have a lot on their plate.
We get it—you’re trying to juggle all the tasks of being a mum but also need to make sure your body is getting all the nutrients it needs, and that’s where we come in.
We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite confinement food recipes that are easy enough for you to prepare while breastfeeding and delicious enough to help you feel like you’re not missing out on anything.
Get ready to be both satisfied and well-fed.
Chicken stew | Image from Pexels
Steamed Chicken with Ginger and Spring Onion
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb chicken breast
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon white pepper powder
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup spring onion (chopped)
This is a classic recipe that everyone loves! The ginger adds a bit of spice to the chicken, and the spring onion adds some flavour without being overpowering. This dish is fairly easy to make and will be loved by everyone!
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat; add the garlic, onion and ginger if using them. Cook until fragrant but not browned, about 1 minute; remove from heat and set aside. Add the chicken pieces to the pan and any juices accumulated in the bowl.
Cook until browned on all sides or until cooked through if desired. Return garlic mixture to pan with white pepper powder mixture; stir well until blended completely, then serve immediately over hot cooked rice if desired or alone as desired too!
Boiled Fish with Ginger and Spring Onion
Ingredients
- 1-2 pounds of fish (I recommend tilapia, cod, or flounder)
- 1/2 cup white vinegar
- 3 tablespoons soy sauce
- 5 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (optional)
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and thinly sliced into matchsticks
- 1 bunch of green onions (aka scallions), cut into 2-inch pieces
Boiled fish is another traditional Chinese dish that can be eaten at any time of day. Still, it’s one of the delicious confinement food recipes for breastfeeding mums because it helps strengthen your mum’s blood circulation and promote healing from childbirth.
It doesn’t take long to make this dish, either. Cut the fish into large pieces and put them in a pot with enough water to cover by half an inch. Add salt, pepper, ginger slices and spring onions to the water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the pot and simmer for 10 minutes or until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily when tested with a fork.
Cook until thoroughly cooked before serving on rice noodles or rice with some soy sauce drizzled over the top!
Braised Pork Belly with Soft-Boiled Egg
Ingredients
- 1 pound pork belly, cut into 4 pieces
- 2 cups water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon pepper powder
This recipe is sure to make your tummy smile! Braised Pork Belly with Soft-Boiled Egg is a mouthwatering meal you can cook in no time. The pork belly is slow-cooked until it’s falling apart, so it’s incredibly tender and juicy. The egg adds a rich flavour and makes the dish feel more substantial. If you’re looking for a new way to cook pork belly, give this recipe a try!
Marinate the pork belly with salt, pepper, and onion powder for at least 4 hours. Put a large pot of water on high heat to boil. When it’s boiling, add the eggs and cook for 6 minutes (or longer if you prefer them harder).
Add the pork belly to a deep pot with enough water to cover it by an inch or two and bring it to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 2 hours, occasionally stirring so that it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. When pork is done cooking, remove from pot and set aside until cool enough to handle. Cut into cubes or strips about 1 inch thick, making them easier to fry later on!
Chicken Stew with Yam and Salted Vegetable
Ingredients
- 1 whole chicken, cut into 8 pieces
- 2-3 yams or sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced into 1/2 inch chunks
- 1/2 cup thinly sliced onion
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tbsp. butter
- 3 cups water or chicken broth
- 1 tsp. salt (or to taste)
- 1 cup of salted vegetables (put in boiling water for about 5 minutes)
First, wash the chicken and yam clean. Then cut them into small pieces and put them in a bowl. Add salt, pepper and ginger to it, and stir well. Next, add water to cover the chicken and yam, bring to a boil and cook until soft. Then add salted vegetables and cook for another 5 minutes. The last step is to serve hot with rice or bread!
Stewed Duck with Pumpkin and Red Dates
Ingredients
- 3 lbs. duck breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces (about 6 cups)
- 250 grams of pumpkin, peeled and cubed
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
- 1 small onion, diced (about 1 cup)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced (about 4 teaspoons)
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger (about 2-inch knob)
- 1/2 cup white wine or water (optional)
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth or water
This is a classic Chinese dish that’s full of flavour. Duck is a great substitute for chicken. It’s a bit more fatty and tender than chicken, so it works well in stewed dishes that need to simmer for hours. The pumpkin adds sweetness, while the red dates give it an earthy flavour. You can substitute raisins or cranberries if you can’t find red dates.
Cut the duck into pieces and wash it. Put the cut duck into a pot with water and cook it at medium heat for 20 minutes. Remove the fat from the top of the soup. Peel and dice the pumpkin, red dates, and grated ginger root. Add them to the pot with water and cook them until they are soft (about 10 minutes). Season with salt and pepper to taste, then add cornstarch to thicken the soup if needed. Serve hot!
Stew | Image from Pexels
Here are some tips to help you cook confinement food recipes for breastfeeding:
- Make sure that the ingredients are healthy and nutritious.
- Ask someone to help you with cooking, so you don’t have to do everything yourself.
- Change the recipes according to your taste buds and health condition
Why It’s Important to Have Good Food for Breastfeeding Mums
We all know that breastfeeding is one of the most important things we can do for our babies. It’s also something that can be hard to do, especially when you’re feeling tired or stressed out. So aside from confinement food recipes for breastfeeding, it’s also important to know the kind of nutrients to look for.
The recipes above are easy to make and help support you as you breastfeed your baby!
But if you’re wondering what kinds of food should be included in your confinement diet, let’s talk about what kinds of foods are best for breastfeeding mums:
Eggs | Image from Pexels
Foods high in vitamin D
This helps ensure that your body produces enough milk for your baby and is also good for their bones. Some good examples are salmon, eggs, and fortified cereals (just check the ingredients list).
Foods high in iron
Your iron levels may drop when breastfeeding because you’re losing blood during pregnancy too. Some good examples are red meat, beans, spinach and kale.
Foods high in calcium
Calcium is essential for strong bones, teeth and healthy muscles. Some good sources include dairy products like milk, cheese and yoghurt; dark leafy greens like kale; soybeans; fish such as canned tuna (make sure it’s packed in water, so there aren’t any additives).
Breastfeeding Food to Increase Milk Supply
Eating certain foods can help increase your milk supply. So here are ingredients that can be used in confinement food recipes for breastfeeding.
Eating a balanced diet that includes more than just breast milk is essential when breastfeeding. Eating well will give you the energy and nutrients you need to be a great mom!
Here are some foods that can help boost your milk supply:
Carrots – Carrots contain beta-carotene and vitamin A, which are key for healthy fetal development and increasing your milk supply.
Oatmeal – Oatmeal is an excellent source of iron and calcium, which will help keep your baby healthy and growing well.
Cranberries – Cranberries contain vitamin C, which helps with iron absorption, which in turn helps boost your milk supply.
Spinach – Spinach contains folic acid, essential for fetal development and boosting your milk supply.
Image Source: iStock
ALSO READ:
Postpartum Meal Guide: Foods to Avoid During Confinement
8 Herbs That Can Help You Recover While You’re In Confinement
Your Body After Giving Birth: The First Hour, Day, Week, Month, And Year
