Should I stop eating dairy when breastfeeding?

Should You Stop Eating Dairy While Breastfeeding?
The question of whether to eliminate dairy from your diet while breastfeeding is a nuanced one, influenced by both personal health considerations and the needs of your baby. As a breastfeeding mother, your nutritional choices can significantly impact your milk quality and your overall health.
Nutritional Needs During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding women are encouraged to maintain a balanced diet that includes a variety of healthy foods. This is crucial not only for the mother’s well-being but also for providing essential nutrients to the baby through breast milk. Dairy products are a significant source of calcium and vitamin D, which are vital for both maternal and infant bone health. In fact, it is recommended that breastfeeding mothers consume at least three cups of dairy products each day to meet their nutritional needs.
When to Consider Eliminating Dairy
However, there are specific circumstances where a dairy-free diet may be warranted. If a breastfeeding mother notices signs of a milk protein allergy in her infant, such as excessive fussiness, gastrointestinal distress, or skin reactions, it may be advisable to eliminate dairy from her diet. In such cases, a dairy elimination diet for at least three weeks is often recommended to assess whether symptoms improve.
It’s important to note that most mothers with healthy eating habits do not need to make drastic changes to their diets during breastfeeding. The general consensus among health professionals is that unless there is a specific allergy or intolerance, dairy can be safely included in a breastfeeding diet.
Alternatives to Dairy
For those who choose to eliminate dairy, or for mothers who are lactose intolerant, there are plenty of alternatives to ensure adequate calcium intake. Dark leafy greens, beans, and fortified plant-based milks can provide necessary nutrients without the need for dairy.
Consulting Healthcare Providers
Ultimately, the decision to stop eating dairy while breastfeeding should be made in consultation with a healthcare provider. They can offer personalized advice based on the mother’s health history and the baby’s needs. It’s essential to approach dietary changes thoughtfully, ensuring that both mother and baby receive the nutrition they require during this critical period.
In conclusion, while dairy can be a beneficial part of a breastfeeding diet, individual circumstances may necessitate its elimination. Listening to your body and your baby’s cues, along with professional guidance, will help you make the best dietary choices during breastfeeding.

What should a breastfeeding mother avoid eating?

Caffeine. It’s not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine – it’s in chocolate, and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.

What does dairy sensitivity look like in breastfed babies?

Lactose intolerance causes symptoms like fussiness, gas, blood or mucus in stool, nausea, spit up and diarrhea. While exposure to lactose may cause your baby discomfort, it will rarely cause any long-term problems.

Is dairy making my breastfed baby gassy?

While most foods won’t cause GI issues in breastfed babies, we do know that any foods containing cow milk protein are the most commonly reported food substance to cause gas and fussiness in infants.

Can cutting out dairy decrease milk supply?

Contrary to what you may hear: Removing dairy from your diet makes no difference. There will not be less lactose in your breastmilk if you stop eating dairy products.

How do I know if my baby is sensitive to dairy?

Children also can have:

1. an intolerance to milk in which symptoms — such as loose stools, blood in the stool, refusal to eat, or irritability or colic — appear hours to days later.
2. lactose intolerance, which is when the body has trouble digesting milk.

What happens if you accidentally eat dairy while breastfeeding?

It’s possible for your breastfed baby to have an allergic reaction or sensitivity to something you eat or drink. Foods like beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or some dairy products can cause fussiness, gassiness, or colicky behavior in some babies.

How long after cutting out dairy will a breastfed baby feel better?

It may take up to two weeks for the baby’s stomach / intestines to heal from any irritation caused by the intolerance. Cow’s milk protein can stay in mom’s body for 1 ½ to 2 weeks, and then it may be another 1 ½ to 2 weeks for the protein to get out of the baby’s system.

Does cutting out dairy help a gassy baby?

Dairy Or Milk Products
The intake of certain milk or soy proteins can potentially cause gas in breastfed infants. However, if you discover that dairy is the culprit for your little one’s gassiness, they may just have a dairy allergy.

Should you avoid dairy when breastfeeding?

Occasionally, breast fed babies can react to milk proteins transferred in breast milk from the mother’s diet. If your baby reacts to cow’s milk proteins in your breast milk, you will be advised to avoid milk (dairy) whilst breastfeeding.

What does lactose intolerant baby poop look like?

Loose poop
Your baby may experience frequent watery, foul-smelling loose poops if they have a cow’s milk protein allergy. You may also notice mucus in the stool, and your little one may be gassy and colicky. Babies with diarrhea may quickly become dehydrated, so calling your doctor is recommended.