Breakfast in bed is the iconic Mother’s Day gift

Moms know better than anyone that food is love. That’s why we take the time to cut the crust off of sandwiches and to set the table for a healthy family dinner. That’s why a lot of mothers choose to breastfeed their babies for as long as possible. Breastfeeding is the ultimate act of food as love. A mother’s milk is the most nutritious source of vitamins and minerals a little one can get. Therefore, offering a nursing mom a healthy breakfast in bed is really the gift that keeps on giving. You’re giving her rest and nutrients, both of which can boost milk supply.

Which foods benefit breastmilk production?

Galactagogues is a fancy word that means milk-boosters.

And it probably comes as no surprise that your best bet when breastfeeding is to eat a healthy, balanced diet, including the following:

• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Whole grains
• Animal and plant protein sources
• Healthy fats, i.e., polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats

With that in mind, a perfect breakfast in bed for nursing moms might include something from each category. Take a look at some of our favorite suggestions and mix and match to suit the tastebuds of the mom in your life.

Fresh fruits and vegetables

Spring is a great time to incorporate fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet because there are so many delicious varieties in season. How about mixing up a fruit salad for mom with the following spring fruits:

• Apricots
• Cherries
• Grapefruit
• Kumquats
• Strawberries
   
  

  Fresh fruits are a great addition to a nursing mom’s breakfast.

Whole grains

Whole grains are a great source of fiber. They also contain nutrients important for keeping moms and breastfeeding babies healthy, such as B vitamins, iron, folate, and potassium. That makes oatmeal a perfect breakfast treat for moms. Try this delicious, lactation-boosting recipe for Oatmeal Stout Crockpot Coffee Cake from mom blogger The Leaky Boob.

Animal and plant protein sources

Protein is a critical building block for new tissues and organs, making it a necessity for growing babies. Adequate protein intake also ensures mom’s body will recover from labor and delivery quickly. The latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends nursing mothers get at least 65 grams of protein per day, or two to three servings. Try including one of the following in mom’s breafast in bed to get her off on the right foot:

• Omelet, quiche, or other egg-based dish (extra points for adding spring vegetables like green onions and asparagus)
• Smoked salmon
• Nut butter on whole grain toast
• Yogurt parfait with fresh fruit

Healthy fats

Dietary fats give your body energy and support cell growth, making them essential for breastfeeding moms. These healthy fats will help baby gain weight while aiding in brain development. Fortunately, a lot of the fruits and vegetables, protein sources, and whole grains also include a healthy amount of fat. The avocado on avocado toast, for instance, is about 77% fat, and 62% of the calories in eggs come from fat. However, you can also add a little dark chocolate to mom’s breakfast in bed to give her a daily dose of healthy fat, fiber, iron, and even antioxidants! Try this recipe for Dark Chocolate Apricot Lactation Cookies from Sunkissed Kitchen if you want to treat mom to cookies for breakfast.

Send us a photo of your favorite mom enjoying breakfast in bed!

We’d love to see the delicious meal you prepared for your favorite mom this Mother’s Day. Tag us on our Instagram account at @milknmamasbaby to show us.