What food and drink to avoid when breastfeeding?

Foods and Drinks to Avoid When Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial time for both mother and baby, and what a mother consumes can significantly impact her milk quality and her baby’s health. While many foods are beneficial, there are certain items that should be avoided or limited to ensure the well-being of both mother and child.
Alcohol is one of the primary substances to be cautious about. While some sources suggest that limiting alcohol to one drink per day is acceptable, it is recommended to wait at least two hours after consuming alcohol before breastfeeding. This precaution helps minimize the amount of alcohol that passes into breast milk, which can affect the baby’s development and sleep patterns. For those who plan to drink more than a couple of drinks, it’s advisable to establish breastfeeding for about a month first and consider “pumping and dumping” to manage alcohol levels in breast milk.
Caffeine is another substance that breastfeeding mothers should monitor. Caffeine can pass into breast milk, potentially affecting the baby’s sleep and causing irritability. While moderate consumption—up to three cups of coffee or equivalent caffeine sources per day—is generally considered safe, excessive intake may lead to sleep disturbances for both mother and baby. Therefore, it’s wise to limit caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and cola.
Sugary drinks and sodas should also be avoided. These beverages often provide empty calories without nutritional benefits, which can lead to unnecessary weight gain and poor dietary habits. Instead, staying hydrated with water is crucial, especially since breastfeeding can increase thirst.
Certain fish should be limited due to their mercury content. Fish like shark, swordfish, and king mackerel can contain high levels of mercury, which can be harmful to a developing baby. Opting for lower-mercury fish, such as salmon or sardines, is a safer choice.
Additionally, some mothers may find that certain foods, such as spicy foods or dairy products, can cause digestive issues in their babies, although this varies from one infant to another. If a mother notices her baby becoming fussy or gassy after she consumes specific foods, it may be worth eliminating those from her diet.
In summary, while breastfeeding, mothers should be mindful of their alcohol and caffeine intake, avoid sugary drinks, limit certain types of fish, and pay attention to how their diet affects their baby. By making informed choices, mothers can help ensure a healthy breastfeeding experience for both themselves and their infants.

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.

What drinks to avoid when breastfeeding?

Foods and drinks to avoid while breastfeeding
Caffeine passes into breastmilk, so large amounts of tea, coffee and cola drinks are best avoided. Drinking small amounts of drinks with caffeine (3 or less drinks a day) should not be a problem. Alcohol also passes into breastmilk and can affect your baby.

What are the top foods that bother breastfed babies?

Now, in certain uncommon situations, babies can have a reaction to something in the breastfeeding parent’s diet. The top three culprits are dairy, soy, and wheat. But we don’t see too many babies reacting to foods like broccoli, cabbage, etc.

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 drinks dry up breast milk?

Tips for Drying Up Your Breast Milk

• Drink one mug of sage or peppermint tea 3 or 4 times per day, for 2 to 3 days.
• Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) can help dry up your milk, but ask your doctor before using this medicine, and do not take it if you have kidney or thyroid problems, or if you have glaucoma.

Do and don’ts of breastfeeding?

Make sure you do not eat anything that causes gas or constipation in your baby’s stomach as what you eat may affect your baby’s digestion. Make sure you include all sorts of proteins and vitamins in your diet. Make a habit of drinking milk regularly. Your breast milk may slightly have the taste of the food you eat.

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 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 foods decrease breast milk supply?

Which Foods Might Decrease Your Breast Milk Supply?

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