Can I eat shrimp and crab while breastfeeding?

Eating Shrimp and Crab While Breastfeeding: What You Need to Know
As a new mother, you may find yourself questioning what foods are safe to consume while breastfeeding. Among the many dietary considerations, seafood—specifically shrimp and crab—often comes into focus. Here’s a detailed look at the safety and nutritional benefits of including these shellfish in your diet during lactation.
Shrimp: A Safe Seafood Choice
Shrimp is generally considered safe to eat while breastfeeding. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) categorizes shrimp as a “best choice” seafood due to its low mercury levels. In fact, shrimp contains only about 0.009 parts per million of methylmercury, which is significantly lower than many other fish varieties . This makes it a healthy option for nursing mothers, as it allows you to meet the recommended intake of low-mercury seafood without the associated risks.
However, moderation is key. It is advisable to limit your consumption to no more than three portions of shrimp per week. Ensuring that the shrimp is fully cooked is crucial, as consuming raw or undercooked seafood can pose risks of foodborne illnesses, which could affect both your health and milk production.
Crab: Another Healthy Option
When it comes to crab, the news is similarly positive. Crab is also a safe and nutritious seafood choice for breastfeeding mothers. It is low in mercury and high in protein, making it beneficial for both you and your baby. Like shrimp, crab should be cooked thoroughly to avoid any potential foodborne illnesses. There is no scientific evidence suggesting that crab consumption is harmful during breastfeeding, so you can enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.
Nutritional Benefits
Both shrimp and crab are rich in essential nutrients. They provide high-quality protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and various vitamins and minerals that are important for your health and the development of your baby. Omega-3 fatty acids, in particular, are known to support brain development in infants, making seafood a valuable addition to your diet during this critical time.
Conclusion
In summary, you can confidently include shrimp and crab in your breastfeeding diet, provided they are cooked properly and consumed in moderation. These seafood options not only offer nutritional benefits but also allow you to enjoy a diverse and flavorful diet while nursing. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you have specific dietary concerns or if you experience any adverse reactions after consuming seafood.

Can breastfeeding moms eat crab?

So, which fish are safe to eat during breastfeeding? Here are the options: Safe seafood for feeding mums: Cod, Herring, Pollock, Catfish, Salmon, Tilapia, Lobster, Crab, Tuna, and Shrimp. You must skip the following fish: marlin, tilefish, and king Merkel.

What foods should be avoided while breastfeeding?

What not to eat and drink when breastfeeding

• 1 mug of filter coffee = 140mg.
• 1 mug of instant coffee = 100mg.
• 1 mug of tea = 75mg.
• 1 (250ml) can of energy drink = 80mg (larger cans may contain up to 160mg caffeine)
• 1 (354mls) cola drink = 40mg.
• 1 (50g) plain chocolate bar = up to 50mg.

What foods should I avoid while breastfeeding for a gassy baby?

If you notice that each time you eat something your baby becomes fussy, try avoiding the food for a while and see what happens. Many mothers have reported foods such as kale, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, peppers or spicy foods cause infant gas, while many babies tolerate these foods just fine.

Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?

A quart or more of orange juice or a diet heavy in seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melons or cherries have been associated with diarrhea and colicky symptoms in some infants. Foods containing many preservatives, additives or dyes have been associated with signs of discomfort in some babies.

What foods spoil breast milk?

Here are 5 foods to limit or avoid while breastfeeding, as well as tips for how to tell if your diet is affecting your baby.

• Fish high in mercury.
• Some herbal supplements.
• Alcohol.
• Caffeine.
• Highly processed foods.

What foods are not good for breast milk?

Caffeine – coffee, black tea, green tea, etc. Excess Vitamin C & Vitamin B –supplements or drinks with excessive vitamin C Or B (Vitamin Water, Powerade, oranges/orange juice and citrus fruits/juice.) Peppermint or spearmint: (food, gum or candy with mint flavor) Sage: (sausage, dressing, wild rice mix, etc)

What seafood is safe while breastfeeding?

Fish particularly good for breastfeeding moms include mackerel, tuna, salmon, sardines, and herring.

What foods are babies sensitive to in breastmilk?

Babies love the flavors of foods that come through in your milk. Sometimes, though, a baby may be sensitive, not allergic, to something you eat, such as dairy products like milk and cheese. Soy, eggs, wheat, corn, beef and nuts are also common causes of food sensitivity.

Is it OK to eat shrimp while breastfeeding?

Try to avoid fish that may contain high levels of mercury because this will pass into breast milk. Fish such as shrimp, catfish, salmon or light canned tuna are the safest. Try to avoid swordfish, tile fish, shark or king mackerel.

Is Crab OK while breastfeeding?

Include 8-12 oz of low mercury fish or shellfish per week. Examples include canned light tuna, shrimp, salmon, pollock, catfish, canned mackerel, tilapia, mahi mahi, scallops, crab, lobster, sardines and anchovies.