Page Content
- Which fruit decreases breast milk?
- What drinks increase milk supply?
- Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?
- What should you not drink while breastfeeding?
- What foods spoil breast milk?
- Which fruits should I avoid while breastfeeding?
- Why avoid cinnamon while breastfeeding?
- Why can’t you eat chocolate while breastfeeding?
- What foods dry up breast milk?
- What drinks dry up breast milk?
What You Cannot Drink While Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial time for both mother and baby, and what a mother consumes can significantly impact her infant’s health. While many foods and drinks are safe, there are specific beverages that breastfeeding mothers should approach with caution or avoid altogether.
Alcohol: A Major Concern
Alcohol is one of the primary substances that breastfeeding mothers are advised to limit or avoid. The consensus among health professionals is clear: not drinking alcohol is the safest option for both mothers and their infants. When alcohol is consumed, it enters the bloodstream and subsequently the breast milk, which can affect the baby.
If a mother chooses to drink, guidelines suggest waiting at least two hours after consuming one standard drink before breastfeeding. For two drinks, the wait time extends to four to five hours. This precaution helps ensure that the alcohol has sufficiently cleared from the milk, minimizing the baby’s exposure.
Caffeine: A Sleep Disruptor
Caffeine is another substance that breastfeeding mothers should be cautious about. While moderate caffeine consumption is generally considered safe, excessive intake can lead to irritability and sleep disturbances in infants. The caffeine from coffee and tea can pass into breast milk, potentially making it harder for babies to sleep. Therefore, it is advisable for mothers to limit their caffeine intake to a moderate level.
Herbal Teas and Supplements
Certain herbal teas and supplements may also pose risks. While many herbal teas are safe, some contain ingredients that could be harmful to breastfeeding infants. For instance, teas with high levels of peppermint or sage can affect milk supply, while others may have unknown effects on a nursing baby. It’s essential for mothers to research any herbal products they consider consuming and consult healthcare providers if unsure.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding, mothers should be particularly cautious about their alcohol and caffeine intake, as well as any herbal teas or supplements. Prioritizing the health and well-being of the infant is paramount, and understanding the implications of what is consumed can help ensure a safe breastfeeding experience. Always consult with healthcare professionals for personalized advice tailored to individual circumstances.
Which fruit decreases breast milk?
Chasteberry. Chasteberry has been shown to act directly on the pituitary gland, inhibiting the secretion of prolactin. 11 When prolactin levels are reduced in a lactating person, milk supply typically reduces with it. As a result, breastfeeding parents may want to avoid chasteberry supplements.
What drinks increase milk supply?
Plain water, cow’s milk, herbal tea, smoothies, coconut water, and juice are good drink options during lactation. If you’re worried about your milk supply, speak with your obstetrician. You could also consider working with an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant.
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 should you not drink while breastfeeding?
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.
What foods spoil breast milk?
Here are 5 foods to limit or avoid while breastfeeding, as well as tips for how to tell if your diet is affecting your baby.
- Fish high in mercury.
- Some herbal supplements.
- Alcohol.
- Caffeine.
- Highly processed foods.
- Other considerations.
- How to tell if your diet is affecting your baby.
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.
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.
Why can’t you eat chocolate while breastfeeding?
The effects of theobromine in chocolate and breastfeeding can be quite a concern for nursing mothers. While the amount of theobromine in chocolate is far less than other forms of caffeine. Specifically, theobromine can interfere with infants’ sleeping habits and digestion, making it irritable and fussy.
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 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.