What foods reduce breast milk supply?

Understanding Foods That May Reduce Breast Milk Supply
Breastfeeding is a vital aspect of nurturing infants, and many new mothers are keen to ensure they maintain a healthy milk supply. However, certain foods and dietary choices can inadvertently affect lactation. Understanding these can help mothers navigate their diets more effectively.
Key Foods That May Decrease Milk Supply
Research indicates that several foods and substances might contribute to a reduced breast milk supply. Here are some of the most commonly cited culprits:
1. Mint: Both peppermint and spearmint are known for their potential to decrease milk production. While they can be refreshing, excessive consumption, particularly in teas or candies, may lead to a noticeable drop in supply.
2. Sage: Similar to mint, sage is often used in cooking and herbal remedies. However, it has been traditionally recognized for its ability to reduce milk supply, especially when consumed in large amounts.
3. Parsley: This common herb, while nutritious, can also have a negative impact on lactation if consumed excessively. It is often recommended to use parsley sparingly in meals.
4. Caffeine: High caffeine intake can lead to dehydration, which may indirectly affect milk production. While moderate consumption is generally considered safe, excessive caffeine from coffee, tea, or energy drinks could pose risks.
5. Alcohol: While occasional moderate drinking is often deemed acceptable, excessive alcohol consumption can interfere with milk production and letdown reflex. It’s advisable for breastfeeding mothers to limit their alcohol intake.
6. Certain Medications and Herbs: Beyond food, some medications and herbal supplements can also impact milk supply. For instance, certain antihistamines and hormonal contraceptives may lead to decreased lactation.
The Role of Hydration and Nutrition
Interestingly, the notion that simply increasing fluid intake will boost milk supply is a misconception. While staying hydrated is essential for overall health, it does not directly correlate with increased milk production. Instead, a balanced diet rich in whole grains, proteins, and healthy fats is crucial for maintaining a healthy milk supply.
Conclusion
For breastfeeding mothers, being mindful of dietary choices is essential. While some foods can help promote milk production, others may hinder it. By understanding which foods to limit and focusing on a well-rounded diet, mothers can better support their breastfeeding journey. As always, consulting with a healthcare provider or a lactation consultant can provide personalized guidance tailored to individual needs.

What stops your body from producing breast milk?

Take birth control.
Taking estrogen as a part of a combined birth control pill can help stop lactation. Most mothers see a drop in milk production after taking one pill a day for one week.

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 helps dry up milk supply?

Tips for Drying Up Your Breast Milk

• Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
• Put cold packs on your breasts.
• Use cold cabbage leaves (wash fresh cabbage and refrigerate; pull off one leaf at a time and lay them over your breasts; keep the leaves on your skin until they get soft).

What lowers milk supply?

Other things that can also lead you to have low milk production include:

• Smoking or drinking.
• Some medicines and herbs.
• Hormonal forms of birth control. This is especially true for birth control that has estrogen.
• Nursing or pumping less often.
• Getting sick.
• Feeling stressed.
• Getting pregnant again.

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.

Do soft breasts mean low milk supply?

Your breasts feel softer
This happens as your milk supply adjusts to your baby’s needs. The initial breast fullness reduces in the first few weeks. At around 6 weeks, breast fullness is completely gone and your breasts may feel soft. This is completely normal and has no effect on your milk supply.

How to dry up breast milk naturally?

Tips for Drying Up Your Breast Milk

1. Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen.
2. Put cold packs on your breasts.
3. Use cold cabbage leaves (wash fresh cabbage and refrigerate; pull off one leaf at a time and lay them over your breasts; keep the leaves on your skin until they get soft).

Which fruits should I avoid while breastfeeding?

You may have heard that it helps to avoid certain foods while breastfeeding – such as citrus fruits, orange juice, spices (cinnamon, curry, chili pepper), spicy food, and “gassy” veggies (cabbage, onion, broccoli, cauliflower) – but there’s no convincing scientific evidence to support that advice.

What foods decrease breast milk production?

Five Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding

• High-mercury fish. Fish can be a part of a healthy diet.
• Parsley, sage, and peppermint. The herbs parsley, sage, and peppermint are in a class called anti-galactagogues, because they are known to decrease breast milk production.
• Common food allergens.
• Alcohol.
• Caffeine.

What will stop my milk supply?

Several factors will affect how long it takes for your milk to dry up, including your baby’s age and how much milk your body is making.

• 7 ways to dry your breast milk supply quickly.
• Cold turkey.
• Herbs.
• Cabbage.
• Birth control.
• Sudafed.
• Vitamin B.
• Other drugs.