When it comes to breastfeeding, challenges seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times. Mastitis, plugged ducts, or sore nipples are nothing a new mom wants to deal with. But knowing well-nigh possible challenges you may encounter will help you be ready if you run into any problems.
One situation you could find yourself in is having a plugged or clogged milk duct. A plugged milk duct isn’t uncommon for a breastfeeding mom but can bring discomfort and pain or lead to mastitis. You can try a handful of methods to prevent and treat plugged milk ducts, and one method to consider is the use of sunflower lecithin.1 While not wontedly discussed, sunflower lecithin could goody your breastfeeding journey.
What is Lecithin?
Lecithin is a fatty molecule the soul uses in many functions to maintain health. It is in plants and unprepossessing tissue, and experts believe it works as a natural emulsifier. Supplemental and dietary ingredient lecithin is commonly sourced from egg yolks, soybeans, and sunflower seeds.2,7 You can find lecithin as an ingredient in many foods you are once eating. Cosmetic companies plane commonly use lecithin in the process of making many cosmetics.8
Lecithin is a supplement throughout the medical world, and it may play a salubrious role in many variegated areas of health. It supports immune function, smart-ass health and development, cardiovascular health, and breastfeeding support.2
Sunflower Lecithin and Breastfeeding
Regarding breastfeeding support, specifically for plugged milk ducts, your healthcare team may recommend sunflower lecithin. It can be used as a dietary supplement and is very helpful in preventing recurrent plugged milk ducts in breastfeeding mothers. Although there is no uncontrived research to when its use, sunflower lecithin can help make breast milk “less sticky.” It decreases the viscosity of milk and works as a preventative and supportive measure for plugged milk ducts for some breastfeeding women.3
By decreasing the viscosity of breast milk, it can spritz and pass through your ducts increasingly easily. And this lowers your risk of plugged ducts.3 Medical experts have suggested sunflower lecithin as a treatment for mothers experiencing mastitis considering it can help with inflammation and emulsifies breast milk.5
Although sunflower lecithin is not usually the first line of prevention for a plugged milk duct, it may be something to consider if you repeatedly have the same concern.1 Sunflower lecithin is recognized as a often unscratched maternal supplementation and is usually well tolerated.4 For dosing information, please speak with your healthcare team and take it as instructed.
Different Ways to Take Sunflower Lecithin
Many believe sunflower lecithin is a “better” source of lecithin.2,6 Its good reputation is considering sunflower seeds are not genetically modified, and the extraction process does not require harsh chemicals like other lecithin sources.
Sunflower lecithin comes in a few variegated forms. There are powders, capsules, granules, and liquids.7 All are good options, but they have differences in how you take them. Let’s review the variegated types of sunflower lecithin on the market and worldwide directions for use. But remember, it is unchangingly important to thoroughly read the label for instructions on how to take any supplement:
- Capsules: Take the dose as directed with supplies and water.
- Liquid: Take the dose as directed. You can add the liquid to your drink of choice.
- Granule: Take the dose as directed, mix it into a drink of nomination or sprinkle it on top of food.
- Powder: Take the dose as directed, mix it into a drink of nomination or sprinkle it on top of food.
It should be easy to find if you want to purchase sunflower lecithin. Most options will be misogynist at a pharmacy, online, or at a health supplies store.6
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When one problem without flipside arises, it feels defeating, and for many, that ways weaning older than desired. But knowing options to discuss with your healthcare team could help you overcome your breastfeeding challenges and meet your goals for you and your little one.
Please don’t suffer vacated if you squatter plugged duct without plugged duct. Instead, reach out to your healthcare team to find the weightier solution and plan for you and your little one. Who knows, maybe the wordplay will be sunflower lecithin. Alimony up the unconfined work, mama; breastfeeding isn’t unchangingly easy, but you are doing fantastic!
Resources
1. Wambach, K., & Riordan, J. (2016). Breastfeeding and human lactation. Jones & Bartlett.
2. Singh, S. (2021). Comparative Study Of Synthesis and Nutritional Aspects of Lecithin From Soy and Sunflower Oil. Annals of R.S.C.B., 25(6), 16356–16376.
3. https://www.canadianbreastfeedingfoundation.org/basics/shtml
4. Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Lecithin. [Updated 2022 Sep 19].
5. https://doi.org/10.1089/bfm.2022.29207.kbm
6. https://draxe.com/nutrition/#2541888
7. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx
8. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11358109/
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