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Can you eat honey while breastfeeding?

Can You Eat Honey While Breastfeeding?
As new mothers navigate the complexities of breastfeeding, questions about diet often arise, particularly regarding the safety of certain foods. One common query is whether honey is safe to consume during this period. The consensus among experts is reassuring: yes, you can eat honey while breastfeeding.
Safety and Health Considerations
The primary concern with honey is its potential to contain spores of *Clostridium botulinum*, which can cause botulism in infants under one year old. However, this risk is primarily relevant to babies consuming honey directly. For breastfeeding mothers, the spores are too large to pass through breast milk, making it safe for them to enjoy honey without fear of harming their infant.
Experts emphasize that there are no known risks associated with a breastfeeding mother consuming honey. In fact, it can be a delightful addition to your diet, whether used to sweeten tea or soothe a sore throat.
Nutritional Benefits
While honey is often praised for its antioxidant properties, it’s important to note that there are no significant benefits of consuming honey specifically for breastfeeding mothers or their infants. A mother’s breast milk is already rich in antioxidants, which means that while honey does contain beneficial compounds, it does not enhance the nutritional value of breast milk.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can safely enjoy honey as part of their diet. It poses no risk to the baby through breast milk, and while it may not provide additional health benefits, it can certainly be a tasty and natural sweetener. As always, mothers should ensure that their overall diet remains balanced and nutritious, focusing on whole foods to support both their health and that of their baby.

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.

Can I drink honey and lemon water while breastfeeding?

Yes. Totally fine. But obviously don’t give anything to baby that has honey in it that doesn’t process through your body first. There is no way I’d feel worried about this product while breastfeeding, but of course, do what makes YOU feel comfortable!

Is honey good for postpartum?

Perineal lacerations affect between 35 and 85% of women during childbirth and may be responsible for postpartum pain. Honey has been demonstrated to have interesting properties that can promote wound healing.

What foods should I avoid while breastfeeding a baby gassy?

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.

What should you avoid doing after giving birth?

9 Things Not to Do After Giving Birth

  • Put anything in the vagina.
  • Overdo it.
  • Ignore pain.
  • Hide your struggles.
  • Forget birth control.
  • Ignore social support.
  • Neglect your nutrition.
  • Smoke or misuse drugs.

Can I put honey on my nipples breastfeeding?

Medical-Grade Honey, Nipples, and Breastfeeding Infants
In fact, there are no published studies that have investigated its safety on nipples while breastfeeding. Oral infant exposure to MediHoney due to skin-to-skin transfer during breastfeeding is likely less risky than MediHoney applied to an infant’s open wound.

What foods decrease breast milk supply?

Which Foods Might Decrease Your Breast Milk Supply?

  • Alcohol.
  • Sage, Parsley, and Peppermint.
  • Chasteberry.
  • Pseudoephedrine, Methylergonovine, and Bromocriptine.

Does honey affect breast milk supply?

However, don’t expect honey to boost your milk supply. “Honey is not specifically known to be a galactagogue, which is a food or herb that aids in increasing milk production,” notes Schooler. If you have any questions about consuming honey while breastfeeding, check in with your health care provider.

How does honey affect a newborn baby?

Infant botulism is a rare but serious form of food poisoning that can affect babies up to a year old. In Canada, honey is the only food that has been linked to infant botulism. You can help reduce the risk of this disease by only feeding honey to healthy children over one year of age.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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