If you are a breastfeeding mom, you may be wondering if it is safe to drink eggnog. In this guide, we will explore the safety of drinking eggnog while breastfeeding and provide you with a surprising answer!
Can A Breastfeeding Mother Drink Eggnog?
Eggnog is a festive drink made from milk, eggs, sugar, and liquor. Eggnog is made with raw eggs and alcohol so it is not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding. However, if you do choose to drink eggnog while breastfeeding, drink a pasteurised one and moderation is key.
Eggnog can be enjoyed by most breastfeeding mothers without any adverse effects on the baby. But if you’re particularly sensitive to certain foods, or your baby is fussy after consuming breastmilk, it’s best to avoid eggnog until you’ve weaned your child.
If you really want to drink eggnog, you either buy from the grocery store which is usually free from alcohol or make one from scratch. The latter will give you complete control over what goes in your eggnog.
If you want it to be dairy-free, you can use almond or coconut milk instead of cream or whole milk, sprinkle some ground nutmeg, vanilla extract or cinnamon to taste.
What Are the Concerns About Drinking Eggnog While Breastfeeding?
The main concern regarding eggnog while breastfeeding is due to its two main ingredients – eggs and alcohol.
Alcohol
Even though the alcohol content in eggnog is not very high, small amounts of alcohol can be transferred from your body to the baby through your breastmilk.
Alcohol can interfere with a mother’s let-down reflex and decrease the flow of breastmilk. And while it’s unlikely that alcohol in breastmilk will harm your baby, there is evidence that consuming alcohol while breastfeeding can affect a baby’s motor development and sleep patterns.
Eggs
While store-bought eggnog is usually pasteurized, the homemade version can be cause problems due to the use of raw ingredients such as unpasteurized eggs and has an increased risk of contracting food poisoning.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends avoiding raw eggs for the same reason why they advise breastfeeding mothers and pregnant women, who are at a higher risk, to stay away from foods such as deli meats, unpasteurized cheeses, hot dogs and more.
If you have a weakened immune system, your baby does as well, and consuming undercooked or raw eggs could lead to illness for both of you. This is one of the reasons why pregnant women are advised to stay away from anything raw including eggs.
Commercially-prepared eggnog contains pasteurized eggs and milk, which makes it safe to drink while breastfeeding. If you do choose to drink homemade eggnog, make sure the recipe calls for cooked egg yolks or use pasteurized eggs.
Sugar Content
Sugar and artificial sweeteners are also ingredients in eggnog, which can cause gas and fussiness in some babies.
If you see that your infants seem uncomfortable or fussy after they consume your breastmilk, it’s possible that you have sensitivities to certain foods to something you’ve eaten recently.
Does Eggnog Increase Breastmilk Supply?
No. There’s no evidence to support claims that eggnog helps boost breast milk supply. These claims are purely anecdotal and not supported by science and should not be considered medical advice.
If you want to have more milk, consider other safer and healthier alternatives.
Conclusion
So, can you drink eggnog while breastfeeding? The answer is yes – but opt for store-bought versions that are alcohol-free and made from pasteurized eggs.
If you choose to make your own eggnog, make sure the recipe calls for cooked egg yolks or use pasteurized eggs.
And avoid drinks that contain caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners which can be harmful to your baby. Drink plenty of water and healthy juices instead.
As always, talk to your doctors about what you should be eating for nutrition especially if you’re pregnant. If you’re nursing, you can talk to lactation counselors which can offer you professional advice.
FAQ
What is Eggnog?
Eggnog is a popular holiday drink made with milk, eggs, sugar, and spices. It is often spiked with alcohol, which can be dangerous for breastfeeding moms.
Do All Eggnogs Contain Alcohol?
No. While alcohol is a staple ingredient in most eggnog, store-bought ones are usually alcohol-free.
Does Eggnog Count as Milk?
Depends on who you ask. For instance, eggnog can be used as a milk substitute in some recipes. However, you can’t substitute a glass of milk with eggnog. Pregnant women who need an increased milk intake during pregnancy can’t substitute it by consuming eggnog lattes.
What Drinks to Avoid During Breastfeeding?
Well, there are many different drinks that you should avoid while breastfeeding. You should avoid caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners. These can all be harmful to your baby.
Caffeine intake can potentially make your baby restless and irritable.
In several peer-reviewed studies, drinking alcohol such as rum and brandy can cause pose a serious health risk and give developmental problems to your child. It gets into your bloodstream and breast vmilk.
And artificial sweeteners can cause problems with your baby’s digestion.
You should also avoid drinks that contain raw ingredients to avoid food poisoning.
So, it’s best to avoid all of these drinks while you’re breastfeeding. Instead, drink plenty of water and healthy juices for nutrition.
What is Salmonella Poisoning?
Salmonella is the type of harmful bacteria that is most commonly reported to cause food poisoning in the United States. Symptoms usually include diarrhea, fever, and stomach cramps. They can start anywhere from six hours to six days after infection. This is the main reason why pregnant and nursing women should not eat raw meats and seafood such as tuna and wild salmon because they are at a greater risk of food-borne poisoning.
This article was written by Sandra Baker – full time writer and the mother of four amazing kids (including twins!)
She’s also a breastfeeding counselor and has spent years helping new parents learn how to care for their children. When she’s not writing or caring for her children, Sandra likes to spend time reading and taking walks with her husband.