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What are three common fruits you should avoid while breastfeeding?

Understanding Dietary Choices While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial time for both mother and baby, as the mother’s diet directly influences the quality of breast milk. While many fruits are beneficial, some can cause discomfort or adverse reactions in infants. Here are three common fruits that breastfeeding mothers might consider avoiding.
1. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and grapefruits, are often recommended for their vitamin C content. However, they can also lead to digestive issues for some babies. The acidity in these fruits may cause gas or upset stomachs in infants, leading to fussiness or discomfort after breastfeeding. Mothers may want to monitor their baby’s reactions after consuming citrus and consider limiting these fruits if any adverse effects are observed.
2. Cherries
Cherries are another fruit that breastfeeding mothers might want to avoid. While they are delicious and packed with antioxidants, cherries can be quite high in sugar and may lead to gas in some babies. The potential for causing digestive discomfort can make them a less favorable choice during this sensitive period. If a mother notices her baby becoming gassy or irritable after she consumes cherries, it may be wise to eliminate them from her diet.
3. Prunes
Prunes are well-known for their laxative effects, which can be beneficial for adults but problematic for infants. The high fiber content in prunes can lead to loose stools or diarrhea in babies, which can be concerning for new mothers. While prunes can help with constipation in breastfeeding mothers, they may not be the best choice if they cause digestive issues for the baby.
Conclusion
While fruits are an essential part of a healthy diet, breastfeeding mothers should be mindful of their choices. Citrus fruits, cherries, and prunes are three common fruits that may cause discomfort for some infants. It’s important for mothers to observe their baby’s reactions and adjust their diets accordingly to ensure a comfortable breastfeeding experience.

What fruits give breastfed babies gas?

Foods That Might Cause Gas in Breastfed Babies

  • Fiber-rich foods, especially ones that contain bran.
  • Most fruits—particularly apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, plums, and citrus.
  • Vegetables like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage, artichokes, asparagus, cauliflower, onions, and garlic.

Which fruits not to eat during breastfeeding?

Food Items to Avoid During Breastfeeding:

  • Chocolate.
  • Spices like cinnamon, garlic, curry, chili pepper.
  • Citrus fruits and their juices, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit.
  • Strawberries.
  • Kiwifruit.
  • Pineapple.
  • The gassy veggies like onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers.

Which fruit is best for breast milk?

a. Fruits and Veggies

  • Papaya: Raw papaya is a great food that acts as a galactagogue.
  • Watermelon: Loaded with fiber, water, and fructose, watermelon (alternatively, coconut) ensures hydration and also infuses essential minerals that help maintain/increase breast milk supply.

What fruit is best for breastfeeding?

Choose a mix of healthy foods you enjoy from each food group, including:

  • Whole fruits — like apples, berries, oranges, mango, and bananas.
  • Veggies — like broccoli, sweet potatoes, beets, okra, spinach, peppers, edamame, and jicama.
  • Whole grains — like brown rice, millet, oatmeal, bulgur, and whole-wheat bread and pasta.

What can’t you eat when breastfeeding?

Foods to stay away from when breastfeeding include:

  • Coffee and tea. Some of the caffeine in the coffee and tea you drink will end up in your breast milk and may make it harder for your baby to sleep.
  • Cabbage, broccoli, and other “gassy” foods.
  • Fish.
  • Chocolate.
  • Garlic.
  • Peppermint, sage, and parsley.

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 fruits cause colic in babies?

Apricots, rhubarb, prunes, melons, peaches, and other fresh fruits. Cow’s milk.

Why avoid cinnamon while breastfeeding?

Coumarin, an ingredient in some cinnamon products, can cause liver problems, but the amount you’d get is so small that it probably won’t be a problem. Given the lack of evidence about its safety, children, pregnant women, and women who are breastfeeding should avoid cinnamon as a treatment.

What foods dry up breast milk?

For instance, eating a lot of parsley could curb lactation. And too much sage and peppermint may cut your milk supply. For some nursing moms, even peppermint-flavored toothpaste and candies are a problem.

Which fruit decreases breast milk?

Chasteberry. Chasteberry has been shown to act directly on the pituitary gland, inhibiting the secretion of prolactin. 11 When prolactin levels are reduced in a lactating person, milk supply typically reduces with it. As a result, breastfeeding parents may want to avoid chasteberry supplements.

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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