Can I drink malt water while weaning?
Nov 01, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
In general, you can drink barley water while weaning, but it's important to consume it in moderation. Barley has the effects of promoting qi circulation, strengthening the spleen, suppressing lactation, relieving bloating, and soothing liver qi. Barley is available in two forms: raw and roasted. Roasted barley is typically used for making tea during weaning. Roasted barley helps suppress milk production, reduce breast milk secretion, and alleviate common discomforts such as breast engorgement during the weaning process.
Generally, you can drink barley water while weaning, but it's important to consume it in moderation. The details are as follows:
Barley has the effects of regulating qi, strengthening the spleen, suppressing lactation, relieving bloating, and soothing the liver. Barley is available in raw and roasted forms, but roasted barley is commonly used for making tea during weaning. Roasted barley helps reduce milk production, thereby decreasing breast milk secretion and alleviating common discomforts such as breast engorgement during the weaning process.
While using barley water for weaning, it is recommended to gradually reduce breastfeeding frequency and avoid letting the baby suckle or manually expressing milk. If severe engorgement causes pain or discomfort, you may express a small amount of milk for relief, but completely emptying the breasts is not advised, as this could stimulate further milk production. In daily diet, minimize consumption of soups and broth-based foods such as fish soup, meat broth, and rice porridge, since these may promote milk secretion and hinder the weaning process.
Barley water should not be consumed in excess. Overconsumption may lead to gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Drinking large amounts may also interfere with the body’s absorption of other essential nutrients, including minerals like calcium and iron, as well as certain vitamins.
