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What nuts to avoid while breastfeeding?

Understanding Nut Consumption While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a critical time for both mothers and their infants, and nutrition plays a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of both. While many foods are safe to consume, certain nuts may warrant caution due to potential allergic reactions and digestive issues in infants.
Nuts to Approach with Caution
Peanuts are among the most commonly discussed nuts when it comes to breastfeeding. They are known allergens, and introducing them into a breastfeeding mother’s diet could potentially increase the risk of peanut allergies in the baby. If there is a family history of nut allergies, it may be wise to avoid peanuts altogether during this period.
Tree nuts, which include almonds, walnuts, cashews, and hazelnuts, are generally considered safe for breastfeeding mothers. However, some studies suggest that these nuts can also trigger allergic reactions in sensitive infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics indicates that while tree nuts can be consumed, mothers should be observant for any signs of allergies in their babies, such as rashes or gastrointestinal distress.
Potential Effects on Infants
Certain nuts can lead to digestive discomfort in some infants. Foods that are known to cause gassiness or fussiness, such as beans and cruciferous vegetables, can also be linked to nut consumption in some cases. If a breastfeeding mother notices her baby becoming unusually fussy after she consumes nuts, it may be prudent to eliminate those from her diet temporarily.
Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers
While it is essential to maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients, breastfeeding mothers should be mindful of their nut intake. Here are some recommendations:
– Monitor Reactions: Keep a food diary to track what you eat and any reactions your baby may have. This can help identify any problematic foods.
– Consult Healthcare Providers: If there are concerns about allergies or dietary restrictions, consulting with a pediatrician or a nutritionist can provide personalized guidance.
– Gradual Introduction: If you wish to introduce nuts into your diet, consider doing so gradually and in small amounts to monitor your baby’s response.
In conclusion, while many nuts can be safely consumed during breastfeeding, caution should be exercised, particularly with peanuts and potentially allergenic tree nuts. By staying observant and informed, mothers can make dietary choices that support both their health and that of their infants.

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 nuts increase milk supply?

Packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, nuts can give your milk a boost. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios are all a great choice. If your milk supply is low, snack on raw or roasted nuts. Add them to cookies, smoothies, and salads, or enjoy them between meals.

What foods decrease breast milk?

Top 5 food / drinks to avoid if you have a low milk supply:

  • Carbonated beverages.
  • 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.)

Which nuts increase breast milk supply?

Packed with healthy fats and antioxidants, nuts can give your milk a boost. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios are all a great choice. If your milk supply is low, snack on raw or roasted nuts. Add them to cookies, smoothies, and salads, or enjoy them between meals.

Can babies react to nuts in breast milk?

Babies love the flavors of foods that come through in your milk. Sometimes, though, a baby may be sensitive, not allergic, to something you eat, such as dairy products like milk and cheese. Soy, eggs, wheat, corn, beef and nuts are also common causes of food sensitivity.

Which nuts are good for breast?

Some of the best nuts and seeds to have are walnuts, cashews, peanuts, pecan. Seeds like sunflower seeds, pumpkin and flaxseeds help stimulate and balance estrogen levels in the body. Plus, they can be added to your foods in a number of ways! Seafood is recommended for women of reproductive ages to have frequently.

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 nuts should I avoid when breastfeeding?

Most foods are fine when breastfeeding
There is also no convincing evidence that you should avoid or limit major allergens (milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nuts, soy, wheat, fish and shellfish) from your diet while breastfeeding, unless you yourself are allergic to a particular food.

Do nuts make breastfed babies gassy?

Other potentially allergenic foods – including eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, fish, and tree nuts – might cause gas and other symptoms. However, the few studies that have been done have come to conflicting conclusions. There’s no guarantee that eliminating these foods from your diet will help with your baby’s gas.

What nuts help breast growth?

Nuts are a rich source of monounsaturated fats that are essential for building breast tissue. If you wish to get a bigger bust, include walnuts, cashews, peanuts, and Pecan in your diet. This one food item is both rich in protein and good fat.

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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