You’re a new mom and you’ve got a lot of questions about what you can and can’t eat while breastfeeding
It’s hard to know what’s safe to eat when you’re breastfeeding, especially because every mom and baby is different. Some foods are considered unsafe for nursing moms, but others are up for debate.
If you scour the internet you will get scare stories of people eating poppy seeds bagels and having positive drug tests, lets dive into the full facts and find out if you can eat bagels whilst breastfeeding.
Can I Eat Bagels While Breastfeeding?
Absolutely! It is perfectly safe for you and your baby to eat bagels while breastfeeding however, you need to consider the topping and if you want to eat rare meat then take note!. If you’re worried, we’ve got the full facts on why poppy seeds are perfectly harmless to you and your little one below.
What Are Poppy Seeds?
Poppy seeds (also called bread seed, Egyptian husked poppy seeds, and white bread seed) are the small seeds of the opium poppy plant.
The tiny black specks on some foods can be attributed to these nutritious little gems.
Poppy seeds come from the opium plant (poppy flower), Papaver somniferum. These tiny black or blue seeds from the plant are known for their powerful flavor and aroma, as well as being a baking favorite. The seed pod contains alkaloids including morphine which is what creates the drug opium. Eating poppy seeds and sesame seeds are nutritious and tasty and unless there is any history of allergic reactions in the family they should not be avoided.
Why Are Poppy Seeds Used In Bagels?
Mainly for taste! It brings an element of earthiness and provide a rich nutty flavour. Poppy seeds come from a flowering plant called a poppy flower.
What are the Health Benefits of Eating Poppy Seeds While Breastfeeding?
The health benefits of eating poppy seeds while breastfeeding are great. They include:
Boosted energy levels for mom Improved milk supply Increased protein synthesis in the body Restored blood sugar levels Reduced pain and fatigue.
What are the Issues with Eating Poppy Seeds?
Eating poppy seeds while breastfeeding shouldn’t be an issue. The amount of opiates in the tiny seeds is normally too low to affect your breastmilk supply or make give your baby any opiate-like effects (such as the “high” and drowsiness).
The one caveat is if you have a drug test coming up. Eating poppy seeds can lead to a false positive drug test because the seeds contain small amounts of morphine. Make sure you let your doctor know if you’ll need to have a drug screening done after eating anything with poppy seeds in it as you may test positive when drug tested. There have been cases where innocent moms have tested positive when giving birth after eating poppy bagels and child protective services were involved!
If you do get a positive result from eating everything bagel poppy bagel, don’t worry it should be a super low level and beyond the level a drug addict might have. Pregnant women should not overly panic about this, just be aware that it could happen.
What Does This Mean For Your Breastfeeding Baby?
Some alkaloids in poppy seeds are metabolized to morphine which could cross into your breast milk and affect your baby’s behavior or sleep patterns. However, studies show that this is not likely to occur. New moms should not worry about it.
Can I Eat Bagels While Breastfeeding?
If you love poppy seed bagels, feel safe eating them while breastfeeding. The tiny amount of morphine that would get into your breast milk isn’t enough to be harmful to your little one. And because the concentration of alkaloids is so low inthe poppy seeds themselves, it’s perfectly safe to eat a bagel or two while breastfeeding, even topped with horseradish which is safe when breastfeeding.
What About Other Bagels?
Other types of bagels that aren’t made with poppy seeds are still totally safe for breastfeeding moms and their babies. Some people think that onion bagels may be unsafe, but this is another myth. The truth is, there aren’t any scientific studies showing that onions are unsafe for breastfeeding moms.
If you’re a bagel lover, enjoy your favorite kind of bagels while breastfeeding – you can eat everything bagels and still produce plenty of milk for your little one!
What are the benefits of eating bagels while breastfeeding?
As well as being completely safe to eat, bagels have a lot of benefits for breastfeeding moms. They’re:
Low in fat and high in complex carbohydrates – the perfect staple food for an active mom! High in B vitamins – which can help boost your energy and milk supply Gluten free – if you’re following a gluten-free diet, or would just like to try something new.
What types of bagels can I eat while breastfeeding?
You can eat any kind of bagel while breastfeeding, even ones that aren’t typically considered healthy, just like eating noodles when breastfeeding, as long as you do in moderation.. That includes:
Everything Bagels Cinnamon Raisin Bagels Blueberry, Cranberry and Pecan Bagels Onion Bagels Garlic and Cheese Bagels
Can I Eat Cream Cheese With My Bagel While Breastfeeding?
Yes! Cream cheese is a dairy product, and one of the most popular spreads on bagels. Eating it while breastfeeding is totally safe for your baby, however if you want some energy read our guide to eating energy bars when breastfeeding.. In fact, it’s rich in calcium which is great for both you and your little one!
If you love smoked salmon, smoked salmon is safe to eat when breastfeeding so pop it onto your bagel as well.
Can I have poppy seeds while breastfeeding?
Yes! Poppy seeds come from a flowering plant called a poppy flower. They are often harvested to make opium, which is used for pain relief. The unripe seed pods contain the morphine alkaloids needed to produce opium, however these naturally occurring alkaloids are not harmful to breastfeeding moms or their babies. In fact, the amountof alkaloids that get into your breast milk is so low it isn’t even measured.
Do bagels affect breast milk?
Bagels affect breast milk because they’re a source of carbohydrates – which is the fuel your body needs to produce breastmilk. Every time you eat, your baby gets a boost of energy and nutrients that will help them grow and develop. Bagels also contain high concentrations of B vitamins which contribute to producing more milk!
Take Away on Poppy Seed Bagels for the Breastfeeding Mother
Poppy seed bagels are a delicious and nutritious food for the breastfeeding mother. They’re completely safe to eat while breastfeeding, because they don’t contain any opiates. Very few foods are unsafe to eat but Nopales or prickly pear should not be eaten when breastfeeding.. In fact, these bagels will boost your energy levels and breast milk supply! So enjoy that poppy seed bagel guilt free: it’s like having dessert for breakfast!
When nursing a new mother has a lot more leeway in what they can eat each week. It’s a lot more relaxed than in pregnancy and unless you are eating large amounts of poppy seeds they should not cause any harm. They should be part of a healthy diet and are a good source of nutrition, so relax and enjoy!
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.