Malt Ovaltine is a classic malt drink with chocolaty, malty, creamy, and yummy all in one mix. I’m sure you are wondering how this drink shares a connection with breastfeeding.
Well, outside being a cup of chocolaty goodness, Malt Ovaltine is also known to be galactagogue. Galactagogues are simply foods that increase breast milk production just like oatmeal and nuts.
Milk production is a matter of great concern for every breastfeeding mother, both first-time mothers, and the old-timers because no two babies are the same. So, every breastfeeding mom has had a fair share of those moments of doubt about whether or not the milk they are producing is enough for their baby.
It is not far fetched because, unlike a feeding bottle, the breast doesn’t come with calibration and they are not see-through. So, in the end, you’re left uncertain of whether you are producing enough and curious about how you can produce more if you are already not producing enough.
Well, your worrying days are over because this article will answer all your questions. Whichever side you are on; whether your supply is enough and you want to keep it steady at that level or if you are on a dip and you need tips on how to produce more milk, we got you covered.
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How can I tell when I am not producing enough milk?
This question is commonly asked by many mothers as simple as its answer is. It is very easy to whether or not you are producing enough milk for your baby especially just from looking at your little one.
When your baby’s weight gain is lagging or slow, or if your baby always seems lethargic or sleepy, you should start asking questions and be more cautious because it might be a sign that your baby is not getting enough milk.
But insufficient soaked or dirty nappies and dark urine are more commonly looked out for.
Is it possible to increase my milk supply to meet my baby’s needs?
It is very possible. Just a few changes in your die practices would do the trick.
Unfortunately, many mothers don’t know this so they often give up believing there is nothing that they can do to change it even though there are some foods that are known to increase milk supply, they are unaware and due to ignorance, they don’t consume these foods.
An example of one of such is Malt Ovaltine. This drink is an incredible choice because dehydration is a major cause of inadequate milk production.
Water would have been a recommended drink to solve the problem of hydration but anyone would get tired of a tasteless, odorless, and colored drink.
Apart from being more desirous because of its taste, Malt Ovaltine also has some nutrition properties that make it an excellent galactagogue.
Benefits of Malt Ovaltine in Breastfeeding
Malt Ovaltine is a classic malt flavored drink rich and trusted provider of a blend of great taste and nutrition. It makes milk work harder by supplying 12 vitamins and minerals in every serving.
Drinks that deliver great taste with no artificial flavors or artificial sweeteners like this are hard to come by. More importantly, this drink is not only filling and delicious, but it can also help boost your supply.
For a boost in milk supply, Malt Ovaltine has become the popular choice of moms all over the world. With the results that have been recorded from its use, Malt Ovaltine has inspired confidence in a lot of mothers.
They recommend it quite liberally . In case you’re wondering how, the secret ingredient is the barley present in Malt Ovaltine. It does wonders for milk production.
You may have also heard that a glass of Guinness can also boost your milk production. Interestingly, the production of milk isn’t just because of the beer but its key ingredient. You guessed it, barley.
Barley contains beta-glucan. This is a polysaccharide or complex sugar that helps breastfeeding moms see a boost in milk levels. This boost comes because beta-glucan triggers the production of the breastfeeding hormone called Prolactin. Barley is the best way to kick start this cycle.
Another derivative of barley that helps moms is malt because of the gluten it contains. To get malt, barley grains are allowed to germinate while soaked in water. Processing and food production comes after sprouts have formed on the grains.
Eventually, malt is included in Ovaltine. This malt allows any mom, first time or otherwise, to deal with any milk issues they may have.
That being said, let’s take a closer look and see why you should be taking Malt Ovaltine while you breastfeed.
- It keeps you hydrated. Although pure water is best, it can be a bit dull sometimes. Ovaltine has large water content and this helps to keep you hydrated. If you are significantly dehydrated, breast milk production will be automatically slowed down and it will have a significant impact on your health such as chapped nails, tiredness, moodiness, lack of energy, dry skin, headaches etc. These symptoms are not humanly desirable, especially coupled with the task of caring for a child. So staying hydrated is important both for you and for your little one.
- It contains brilliant beta-glucans that help control blood sugar, reduce cholesterol levels, and boosts immunity.
- It keeps prolactin levels high because it contains tryptophan and polysaccharides. Tryptophan counters dopamine and enhances the production of which stimulates milk production. Polysaccharides, especially beta-glucan, also aids in stimulating the production of prolactin. Increased prolactin level helps to maintain adequate milk supply.
- It helps to improve your mood. The tryptophan contains also enhances the release of serotonin( a hormone that makes you feel good) and a good mood is likened to be as cherished as pure gold for any nursing mother.
- It is also an excellent source of niacin, a B vitamin. For this reason, it protects against cardiovascular risk.
With the rave reviews from moms, Malt Ovaltine for breastfeeding indisputably works. So, ensure you are eating the required calories and hydrating well to produce enough breast milk for your baby. Eat plenty of lactogenic foods and avoid unhealthy ones. If, after all the above, your milk supply still doesn’t meet up with the demand, then speak with a professional lactation consultant to help you.
Which Malt Ovaltine Should I Buy?
It might be difficult to choose what Malt Ovaltine you want to get because Malt Ovaltine is available in a variety of flavors. Nonetheless, the chocolate malt or the classic malt flavor are praised for being the best to boost your milk supply before the next time you pump or feed your baby. As tasty as it might be, the classic chocolate flavor does nothing for a breastmilk supply. It might contain a lower malt percentage.
Creative ways to Use Malt Ovaltine for Milk Supply
You can decide to mix in some Ovaltine in a cup, add some milk and drink it in the morning or before going to bed at night. This is a quick and effective way. For mothers who cannot process lactose, fruit milk like from almonds or coconut water could act as a substitute for milk.
Other than that, there are many other exciting, creative, and flexible ways to enjoy your classic Malt Ovaltine, if you have some free time to experiment. You can blend it with fruits for a smoothie or add it to your recipe for snacks and breakfast.
A good way is by serving the old-fashioned, icy-cold tumbler full of chocolaty goodness or baking lactation cookies for an afternoon snack.
A healthy cup of chocolate malt lactation milkshake could also work. There’s a myriad of options when it comes to Malt Ovaltine, just pick whatever best suits your personality. If you are a very busy person, you can settle for the regular mug of a scoop of Malt Ovaltine and Milk.
On the other hand, if you have free time as a full-time mother or have a kitchen helper, you can choose to be more adventurous which is your Malt Ovaltine. What is most important is that you consume it regularly, however you like to boost your breast milk production and satisfy your baby.
Does Malt Ovaltine work for everyone?
Malt Ovaltine might not be suitable for all moms for example, because it contains gluten, it might not be suitable for mothers with celiac disease.
So it is hard to say because everyone is different. Some moms experience a commendable increase in milk supply with Malt Ovaltine and other galactagogues, some others do not.
Yet, I strongly believe that it is worth a try! Besides, it is a really good breakfast, so giving it a shot won’t hurt.
Conclusion
So many things can affect a mom’s ability to produce enough breastmilk for their little one. However, because a lot of moms have said that there was a shift up in the amount of milk they could pump after taking Malt Ovaltine, we can tell that it clearly has a positive effect on milk production because so many moms cannot be wrong.
Just in case you are still indecisive and having a mental battle, my advice – try it. It won’t hurt, and in the end, you will have added to or crossed off one more food from the popular things to eat to boost milk production.