What dairy products should you avoid while breastfeeding?

Understanding Dairy Consumption While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial time for both mother and baby, and the dietary choices made during this period can significantly impact the health and well-being of both. While many foods are safe to consume, certain dairy products may warrant caution. Here’s a detailed look at which dairy items to avoid or limit while breastfeeding.
Cow’s Milk and Dairy Allergies
One of the primary concerns regarding dairy consumption during breastfeeding is the potential for cow’s milk protein allergy in infants. Some babies may react negatively to proteins found in cow’s milk, leading to symptoms such as gastrointestinal distress, skin rashes, or respiratory issues. For mothers who notice these symptoms in their babies, it may be advisable to limit or eliminate cow’s milk and other dairy products from their diet.
High-Fat Dairy Products
While low-fat dairy options can be beneficial, high-fat dairy products should be approached with caution. Foods like full-fat cheese, cream, and butter can contribute to excessive calorie intake and may not provide the necessary nutrients that breastfeeding mothers need. Instead, opting for low-fat or fat-free dairy products can help maintain a balanced diet while ensuring adequate nutrition for both mother and baby.
Processed Dairy Products
Processed dairy items, such as certain cheeses and flavored yogurts, often contain added sugars and preservatives that may not be ideal for breastfeeding mothers. These additives can potentially affect the quality of breast milk and may lead to digestive issues in infants. It’s best to choose plain, whole foods whenever possible.
Lactose Intolerance Considerations
For mothers who are lactose intolerant, consuming dairy products can lead to discomfort and digestive issues. While lactose intolerance does not directly affect breast milk, the mother’s discomfort can impact her overall well-being and ability to care for her baby. In such cases, lactose-free dairy alternatives or non-dairy substitutes like almond or soy milk may be better options.
Conclusion
In summary, while dairy can be a valuable part of a breastfeeding mother’s diet, certain products should be approached with caution. Cow’s milk and high-fat dairy products may pose risks for some infants, while processed dairy items can introduce unnecessary additives. Mothers should also consider their own dietary tolerances, such as lactose intolerance, when making choices about dairy consumption. Ultimately, maintaining a balanced and healthful diet is key to supporting both maternal health and breastfeeding success.

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 make breastfed babies gassy?

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.

Is dairy affecting my breastfed baby?

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.

Which dairy products increase breast milk?

Paneer: Cheese and paneer help to increase breast milk. For Vegetarians, consumption of a minimum of 100 grams of cottage cheese or paneer is advised. Both are rich sources of protein and are beneficial for a nursing mother.

What foods dry up breast milk?

Which Foods Might Decrease Your Breast Milk Supply?

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

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 dairy foods should I avoid while breastfeeding?

You will need to avoid cow’s milk, soya milk and any products that contain these such as dairy and soya cheese/yogurts/custards/deserts (see Table below).

How do I know if dairy is affecting my baby?

Children also can have: 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. lactose intolerance, which is when the body has trouble digesting 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.

Should I cut out dairy while breastfeeding?

If your baby is showing signs of a dairy allergy or a milk protein intolerance, your doctor may recommend that you follow a dairy-free diet as you continue breastfeeding. As you remove dairy products from your diet, remember that it can take 10 to 20 days to eliminate cow’s milk protein from your system.