If you are breastfeeding avoid food which…. ah, those words every breastfeeding mother does not want to hear! After nine months of pregnancy and avoiding a lot of food, you will be glad to know that the ‘food rules’ become a lot more relaxed once you are breastfeeding.
We’ve pulled together a complete guide to the commonly asked food questions breastfeeding moms ask.
From foods that will help with breast milk production and increase breast milk supply to whether you can drink alcohol and should you be eating fish? Are strongly flavored foods or energy drinks banned?
We’ve done a detailed guide along with some yummy recipes on foods to eat after giving birth here.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Generally, as a guide rule, you should aim to eat a varied diet, and our mantra is a little bit of everything in your breastfeeding diet.
Certain foods are off-limits in a breastfeeding mother’s diet as they may pass through mother’s breast milk into the breastfed baby.
High mercury fish is one (but there are plenty of low mercury fish to choose), and if there is a cow’s milk protein food allergy, then avoid it while breastfeeding.
But generally breastfeeding women can relax, take the occasional drink and as long as they have a well-balanced diet and are just not full of highly processed foods then everything should be fine! if you are breastfeeding a sick baby, we’ve done a guide on the best foods to eat when breastfeeding a sick baby.
A women’s health is just as important as a baby and whilst there are many health benefits for mothers when breastfeeding, its vital that you are getting all your nutrients as well and not just a diet of unhealthy fats and a large caffeine intake!
Foods That Make Breast Milk Taste Bad
Foods Which May Cause A Diaper Rash
There are a subset of foods, which whilst they can be eaten generally if your exclusively breastfed baby has a diaper rash are foods to avoid while breastfeeding.
These include citrus fruits, spicy foods and other foods which may cause acidic poop which may worsen a diaper rash in a nursing baby.
Generally, spicy food is fine, but breastfeeding mothers should be aware that a particular food may cause a reaction (not an allergic reaction) but a reaction that may cause or aggravate rashes.
If you notice that your baby’s sleep or baby’s behavior has changed, then you can always try an elimination diet to see what food is upsetting your baby’s system.
Remember a wide range of foods to eat while breastfeeding is healthy and will give the baby different tastes. Most babies will be fine but if you see symptoms of a food intolerance then change your diet accordingly.
Breastfed babies get all their essential nutrients from their mothers milk, and its important to give them a wide range of foods, but like everything moderation is the key.
If dairy products are causing an allergic reaction, try soy milk. If you really want to eat fish then just avoid high mercury fish like king mackerel and swordfish.
If you fancy an alcoholic drink, take one but just one. You can always pump and dump depending on how much alcohol you have taken. (Or rather than dump, you can use that spoiled milk for other things).
Only take herbal supplements that your healthcare provider or your baby’s doctor has approved.
Foods Queries
Can I drink this when breastfeeding?
Foods That Help Increase Milk Supply
- Natural Ways To Increase Milk Supply For Nursing Mothers
- Best Foods To Eat After Giving Birth
- Coconut Water And Breastfeeding
- What Are Lactation Cookies?
- Peanut Butter Lactation Cookies
- Best Tea For Lactation
- Lactation Granola & Granola Bars
- Lactation Brownies: A Delicious Way to Increase Milk Supply
- Best Tea for Lactation: Boost Your Milk Supply Naturally
- Goat’s Rue for Breastfeeding
- Do Oats Increase Milk Supply: Oatmeal for Lactation
- Casserole Recipes for Breastfeeding Moms
Supplements & Medicine Queries
What foods can upset breastfed baby?
There are a number of different foods that can upset breastfed baby. This includes anything from spicy food to dairy products.
It’s important to be aware of these foods so that you can avoid them while breastfeeding.
Some of the most common foods that can cause problems for breastfed babies include:
• Dairy products – Many babies are sensitive to dairy products, which can cause them to have gas, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Spicy food – Spicy food can cause a baby to have an upset stomach, as well as excessive gas and diarrhea.
• Chocolate – Chocolate contains caffeine, which can be harmful to a breastfed baby. It can cause the baby to have trouble sleeping, be fussy, and have an upset stomach.
• Citrus fruits – Citrus fruits such as oranges and lemons can cause a baby to have an upset stomach and diarrhea.
• Wheat & whole grains – Babies can be sensitive to wheat, which can cause them to have gas, diarrhea, and vomiting.
• Soy– Soy can cause a baby to have an upset stomach, constipation, and respiratory problems.
It’s important to note that not all babies will be sensitive to the same foods. Some babies may be able to eat dairy products, while others may not be able to handle any spicy food. It’s important to pay attention to your baby’s reactions to different foods and adjust your diet accordingly.
If you’re not sure whether a certain food is safe for your baby, it’s always best to consult with your pediatrician.
Does Breastfeeding Make You Gassy?
What foods cause gassiness in breastfed babies?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as different babies will have different sensitivities to different foods. However, some common culprits include dairy products, soy products, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.
If you notice that your baby tends to get gassy after eating certain foods, try avoiding those foods for a while and see if that helps.
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.
