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What fruits should I avoid when breastfeeding?

Understanding Dietary Choices While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial time for both mothers and their infants, and the dietary choices made during this period can significantly impact both health and milk production. While many fruits are beneficial, some may not be ideal for breastfeeding mothers. Here’s a closer look at which fruits to avoid and why.
Fruits to Avoid
1. Citrus Fruits: Fruits like oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are often advised against during breastfeeding. The acidity in these fruits can lead to digestive discomfort in some infants, potentially causing fussiness or diaper rash. While not every baby will react negatively, it may be wise to limit these fruits if you notice any adverse reactions in your child.
2. Cherries: Cherries are another fruit that some breastfeeding mothers may want to avoid. They can be quite acidic and may lead to gas or discomfort in some babies. If you enjoy cherries, consider consuming them in moderation and observing your baby’s reactions.
3. Prunes: While prunes are known for their laxative effects, they can also cause gas and bloating in infants. If a mother consumes prunes and notices her baby becoming gassy or irritable, it might be best to eliminate them from her diet.
Other Considerations
In addition to specific fruits, breastfeeding mothers should be mindful of their overall diet. A well-balanced diet rich in nutrients is essential for both mother and baby. While some foods are best avoided, others can enhance milk production and provide necessary vitamins and minerals. For instance, green papaya is often recommended as a galactagogue, which can help increase milk supply.
Conclusion
Navigating dietary choices while breastfeeding can be challenging. While fruits are generally healthy, certain types like citrus fruits, cherries, and prunes may cause discomfort for some infants. It’s important for mothers to pay attention to their own diets and their babies’ reactions, adjusting their food intake accordingly. Ultimately, maintaining a balanced diet while being mindful of potential irritants can help ensure a positive breastfeeding experience for both mother and child.

What fruits should you avoid after giving birth?

Cow’s milk-based foods: May cause the baby to develop milk protein allergies. Avoid vegetables and fruits such as cabbage, sweet bananas, strawberries, cherries, and grapes: May cause gas and abdominal discomfort for the baby.

What fruits cause colic in babies?

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

What fruits should I avoid while 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.

What fruits increase breast milk?

Apricots and dates
Eating apricots and dates can increase prolactin, which is the hormone that tells your body to produce milk. Apricots contain essential nutrients such as dietary fiber, vitamin A, vitamin C and potassium. Fresh is better than canned. If you have to go with canned, avoid apricots packed in syrups.

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 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.

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.

Which fruits help in constipation after delivery?

Eat Prunes
Prunes are known to help alleviate constipation. Add some to your daily breakfast routine. You can eat them in hot cereal, or drink prune or pear juice.

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 should you not eat after giving birth?

Caffeine: Drink more than 3 cups (24 ounces) of coffee or soda a day, and you can upset your baby’s sleep and temperament (they may be irritable). Some fish: Swordfish, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish are high in mercury, a toxin that is harmful to your baby, so avoid them. Tuna can have some mercury, too.

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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