Whether you are a new mom, an expecting one, or an experienced parent, you are sure to know that breastfeeding is not only a way to bond with your child but also one that has various benefits for both mom and baby.
Unfortunately, breastfeeding isn’t something that comes easily for all moms and babies, as some moms cannot produce enough milk to feed their children and some babies have trouble latching on.
Lack of milk is a common problem that affects millions of women worldwide, so it is no surprise that there are various methods available to women to try and increase their milk production.
One of these ways is a well-known sports drink called Body Armor, which many argue can be incredibly beneficial for breastfeeding moms.
There is no scientific data available to prove that Body Armor is able to increase breastmilk, but many moms swear by it. Also, If you were wondering if you can drink Body Armor while pregnant, the answer is yes (in moderation of course)!
This leads to the question of how and why the drink is able to do so, which is what we are going to be looking at today!
In this article, we are going to be taking an in-depth look at Body Armor to see exactly what it offers and to determine if it is an effective way of increasing the supply of breastmilk in breastfeeding mothers.
Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
What Is The Body Armor Sports Drink?
As with most sports drinks, Body Armor is designed specifically to replenish lost electrolytes as well as maintain and improve hydration.
This is due to these kinds of drinks often being used by those playing sports and engaging in intense physical activities, such as athletes, who are often in danger of dehydration due to the nature of those activities.
This particular drink is said to be chock-full of healthy minerals and electrolytes, as well as various nutrients and vitamins that are essential for the well-being of the body.
There are four specific kinds of Body Armor, and not all of them are particularly effective for women who are breastfeeding, so let’s take a closer look at them.
- Sport Water: Features electrolytes and alkaline.
- Sports Drink: Features potassium electrolytes and antioxidants and no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes.
- Edge: Features around 1,000mg of electrolytes and 100mg of caffeine (not suitable for breastfeeding women due to the high caffeine content).
- Lyte: Features low calories and no added sugar as well as no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or dyes.
The Ingredients In Body Armor
There are certain ingredients to be found within Body Armor that can be considered “galactagogues”.
The term galactagogues refers to substances that are able to initiate and maintain the production of a woman’s milk supply, which is controlled by a hormone known as prolactin.
When it comes to feeding, stimulation of the nipple is what controls the release of prolactin.
A hormone released by the pituitary gland called oxytocin will then control the release of the milk itself.
By consuming galactagogues, women have more of a chance to get this process going more fluidly, thus leading to an increase in the supply of breast milk.
So what ingredients can be found in Body Armor that either feature galactagogues or are a general help when it comes to increasing the production of breast milk?
Let’s take a look at the most prominent ones.
Coconut Water
High in minerals, electrolytes, nutrients, and vitamins, coconut water is a beneficial ingredient for a breastfeeding mother in general- boosting the immune system and preventing dehydration- as well as being a prolific galactagogue.
Coconut water is a major ingredient found in Body Armor, and it contains a range of ingredients that help to promote general health and milk production, such as zinc oxide, calcium, magnesium, vitamin E, and vitamins B3, B5, B9, and B12.
Electrolytes
As mentioned when discussing coconut water as a galactagogue, electrolytes are incredibly beneficial to nursing moms due to aiding with hydration, which is a key factor when it comes to helping to maintain that all-important milk supply.
Staying well hydrated is a necessity when it comes to being able to produce breastmilk on demand for your little one, so whilst electrolytes might not be a galactagogue in the sense that they don’t have active ingredients that cause an increase in your milk, they do make it more possible for you to be able to access that milk flow more easily.
Magnesium
Magnesium is a highly important mineral for breastfeeding mothers, with a deficiency in magnesium leading to a plethora of problems such as depression, sleep problems, cramps, and migraines to name a few.
When it comes to the production of breastmilk in the body, magnesium is essential due to the role it plays in maintaining the balance of nutrients needed to produce your milk.
Magnesium is also a beneficial mineral for menstruating mothers who are breastfeeding, as the mineral- along with calcium- is known to help prevent the loss of milk during menstruation if taken beforehand.
Filtered Water
This might seem like a simple ingredient, but including filtered water makes all the difference when it comes to keeping up that all-important hydration when you are breastfeeding to encourage the natural flow of breastmilk.
These ingredients combine to help stimulate the flow of breastmilk in both an active and passive way, which is likely why Body Armor has such a positive reputation when it comes to the production of breastmilk in breastfeeding moms.
1. Keep Feeding And Pumping
The first thing you will hear when asking for suggestions about increasing your breastmilk is likely to just keep feeding your baby and keep using your breast pump, and there is a good reason for this!
Continuously nursing, pumping for longer, and engaging in power pumping– a method wherein cluster feeding (when a baby begins to nurse more frequently) is mimicked in order to stimulate milk production- are all tried and tested methods that help to increase your supply.
Having to produce breastmilk on demand more frequently will naturally increase your supply of milk.
Of course, there will always be exceptions as everyone is different, but the most effective method to initially try is to just keep at it when it comes to nursing your little one.
2. Dietary Changes
There are certain foods and drinks that are more lactogenic (meaning that they induce the secretion of your milk) than others, and consuming these will naturally help to stimulate your milk flow.
Much like with the Body Armor drink, a fair amount of these foods will contain galactagogues, or at least have a passive role in stimulating the production of your milk, such as by increasing your hydration and certain nutrients.
Some of the best foods for stimulating your milk production include the following:
- Leafy Green Veggies: Leafy vegetables such as kale, alfalfa, lettuce, and spinach are chock-full of healthy nutrients, but they also contain phytoestrogens. This naturally occurring compound can increase breast tissue and stimulate the milk ducts, leading to a higher production of milk.
- Sesame Seeds: Sesame seeds are high in both estrogen- which promotes milk duct development- and calcium, both of which can be beneficial to stimulate breast milk production.
- Fennel: This veggie is another that is high in estrogen, promoting increased milk flow for nursing moms.
- Whole Grains: Whole grains support the hormones in the body that are responsible for creating breast milk, so maintaining a diet that is rich in whole grains is key to the healthy production of breast milk as well as general health for a breastfeeding mother.
Some of the best whole grains to help with this includes oatmeal, whole-grain brown rice, and barley to name a few.
- Chickpeas: These common legumes are often used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking and are another excellent source of estrogen, making them a suitable galactagogue to consume to help you to produce more breastmilk.
- Fresh Ginger Root: As well as being an asset when it comes to the production of your breastmilk, fresh ginger can also be beneficial to help with the let-down reflex. The let-down reflex is what causes your milk to flow, usually triggered by your baby suckling the nipple and stimulating the small nerves there. If you have trouble with expelling your milk as well as producing it, fresh ginger root is a must-try.
3. Stay Hydrated!
We have mentioned the importance of hydration whilst breastfeeding a few times already, as it truly cannot be understated.
Not only will it keep you healthy, but it will also help with the production of your milk.
Adults should be drinking around sixty-four ounces of water per day, with breastfeeding women needing around an extra thirty-two ounces on top of that.
FAQs
Can I Safely Drink Body Armor While Breastfeeding?
Body Armor is safe to consume whilst breastfeeding, as most of the drinks do not contain caffeine (except Body Armor Edge). This makes most of the Body Armor drinks suitable for consumption during pregnancy as well as whilst breastfeeding.
However, it is important to make sure that you only drink it in moderation as it is a brand of drink that does feature a high concentration of sugar and so regular consumption might lead to long-lasting health issues.
Make sure to check out all the ingredients on the official Body Armor website before you start drinking it to ensure that you are happy to do so. If you are unsure, speak with your healthcare provider.
Which Body Armor Drink Is Best Suited For Breastfeeding?
As mentioned, there are a few different kinds of the Body Armor drink. The most suitable would be the regular Body Armor drink and the Body Armor Lyte.
Keep in mind that the regular Body Armor drink does have that aforementioned high concentration of sugar, so if you would rather opt for a choice that has lower sugar content, then Lyte is the option for you.
Despite the sugar content being higher in the standard Body Armor drink, it does contain coconut water, electrolytes, minerals, and vitamins that are beneficial for your milk production.
Lyte also contains these ingredients whilst substituting the sugar with the common sugar substitute that is Erythritol, keeping things relatively sweet without the extra calories.
How Often Can I Drink Body Armor While Breastfeeding?
It is important not to overdo it when it comes to drinking Body Armor whilst breastfeeding, especially if you opt for the regular version with the full sugar content.
Anywhere between two and five drinks a day is said to be a good amount for moms who are breastfeeding, but this will differ for everyone.
Start off slow so as not to go overboard immediately, and take note of whether the drink is working for you. Increase your intake from there if so.
If you find that you are able to produce more breastmilk when you drink more Body Armor, try to cut down on any other sugary foods or drinks to keep your sugar intake as low as possible.
Always remember the sugar content when you are drinking, your Body Armor to avoid developing any unhealthy habits!
Are There Other Ways To Increase Your Supply Of Breastmilk?
There are all sorts of methods that you can try to increase your breastmilk production, as well as trying out the Body Armor drink, so let’s have a look at some common ways that you can increase your breast milk supply.
Final Thoughts
So there you have everything that you need to know about the Body Armor drink and how it can be effective when it comes to increasing your supply of breastmilk, as well as some foods that can be of help to you if you are struggling with milk production.
If you plan to try and use Body Armor to help you out with your milk supply, remember to be wary of the sugar content so that it doesn’t end up doing more harm than good in the long run!
