Breastfeeding foods that upset baby
8 Foods to Avoid When Breastfeeding Your Baby
We’ll say it over and over again: breastfeeding is one of the best things that you can do for baby. Breastmilk contains essential nutrients that help to nourish a growing baby and provides unbeatable immunity support. The benefits of breastmilk are far and wide, plus it’s free and provides a wonderful bonding experience. Yet all good things come with some problems every now and then. While breastmilk is the best thing for your baby, it can make your baby fussy. When this happens, it’s understandable to get confused and even a little bit worried—but don’t worry. Often times the reason that your breastfed baby is getting fussy is because of something you’ve eaten that puts strain on your baby’s digestive tract. In this article, we’ll explore eight of the most common foods that could be making your breastfed baby fussy.
Common Foods that Make Breastfeeding Babies Fussy
Gas is completely normal for both babies and adults. It’s a byproduct of your gastrointestinal system and isn’t cause for concern. However, as we all know, sometimes gas can be uncomfortable. When it happens to adults, we can take an over the counter medication to help ease discomfort but when it happens to babies, it’s a little different.
Babies can’t directly tell you what’s wrong. The way they communicate is through crying or getting fussy. If you notice a trend where your baby gets fussy after breastfeeding, it’s likely because something you’re eating is upsetting their stomach. Here are some common foods that make breastfeeding babies fussy:
1. Dairy
Dairy is the most likely culprit behind fussiness. Cow’s milk is much harder for underdeveloped bodies to digest and can cause excess gas or discomfort in babies. When you drink milk caseins, the proteins found in dairy, pass through your blood and into your breast milk production. Newborns and young babies cannot digest caseins, so they become fussy and gassy. If your baby is a little older and they’re still getting fussy from dairy, it could be because of an allergy.
Try eliminating all forms of processed dairy and see if it makes a difference.
2. Soy
Soy is another common allergen that babies react to. Many breastfeeding moms equate fussiness with their soy intake, so if you’re dairy-free and using soy alternatives, you’ll need to consider a different alternative.
3. Wheat and Corn
In addition to dairy and soy, wheat and corn have been known to cause food allergy responses and have subsequently been found as the source of a breastfed baby’s fussiness. If you think that you might be sensitive to wheat or corn, of if you have a family history of allergies in any of these areas, you should consider eliminating them from your diet. This is more difficult than eliminating dairy products, as wheat, corn, and even soy are found in many different processed foods. Make sure that you read the labels and talk to your doctor about alternatives that are safe for breastfeeding.
4. Caffeine
Caffeine gives you a much-needed energy boost during motherhood, but it can actually contribute to problems.
A lot of babies are sensitive to caffeine, which causes fussiness. Your caffeine is transmitted through breastmilk, so try to limit your caffeine intake to one cup of coffee or tea in the morning.
5. Spicy Foods
If you love spicy foods, you’ll probably need to dial it back while you’re breastfeeding. The spices can upset your baby’s stomach and tends to change the way your breastmilk smells and tastes, which could lead to a refusal to eat altogether. The main spicy foods to avoid whilte breastfeeding are garlic, curry, chili pepper, and cinnamon as these are known to cause higher levels of indigestion.2
6. High-fiber Foods
While eating a breastfeeding diet that’s high in fiber is good for mom, it can cause fussiness in your baby. The high fiber content in a baby’s diet can contribute to uncomfortable gas and indigestion, so you’ll want to dial it back a little bit. You can still eat a diet that gives you fiber but try to avoid certain vegetables while you’re breastfeeding such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, and cabbage.
7. Chocolate
Some women notice that their breastfed baby gets fussy when they eat chocolate. This is completely normal. A lot of times, it’s more-so due to the amount of chocolate that’s eaten, not the chocolate itself.2 If you like to indulge, try limiting yourself to one square of chocolate at a time to help ease your baby’s fussiness.
8. Citrus Fruits
Citrus fruits can cahuse discomfort in newborn and infant digestive tracks, so it’s best to limit them in your diet until your baby’s older. The acidity of the fruits cause irritation to their digestive tract, which in turn leads to fussiness. Other fruits that may cause fussiness include pineapples, strawberries, kiwis, cherries, and prunes.
While these are the eight most common foods that tend to make breastfeeding babies fussy, there are still other foods that can cause discomfort. To minimize this, don’t overdo it on any one food group. Try to spread out your nutrition and eat a balanced diet filled with a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein.
When you saturate your diet with one food, it can cause digestion difficulty for your baby. They’re digestive tracts are still developing and the best way to help avoid fuss is to keep a balanced diet. For more information on the best foods to eat while breastfeeding, check out this article.
How to Determine Which Foods are Making Your Breastfed Baby Fussy
The hardest part about eliminating the food from your diet that’s making your baby fussy is knowing exactly what it is. Luckily, by following an elimination diet, you can get a better understanding on your baby’s sensitivities. There are three primary steps to determining which foods are making your breastfed baby fussy: getting organized, eliminating certain foods, and testing for confirmation.
Step One: Get Organized
The first step requires you to get a little bit organized. You’ll need to track what you’re eating each day and record how your baby is reacting. Some women go as far as tracking everything they eat while others only focus on the foods that are most likely to create problems listed above.
Whatever you decide to do, just be consistent. It’s going to take a few weeks for this process to work, so you’ll need to stay organized and committed. In addition to recording your baby’s fussiness, keep notes on whether they’re crying or colicky, are bloated or suffering from constipation, are gassy, experiencing diarrhea, or have a red ring around the anus.
Step Two: Eliminate Foods
Next, you’ll need to go on an elimination diet for a few weeks. Start by eliminating one of the main foods that cause irritation and fussiness—dairy. Dairy is one of the most common foods that cause babies to get fussy. Abstain from eating any dairy (or at the very least any cow’s milk) for at least 10 to 14 days. Keep an eye on your baby to see if they are still fussy or if they start to calm down and the symptoms go away. If your baby is still fussy, move on to the next food listed above and repeat the process. You’ll need to continue working down the most common foods that cause irritability until your baby’s symptoms go away.
When they do, move on to step three.
Step Three: Test Your Results
After you’ve pinpointed the trigger food, it’s time to do a little home experiment to confirm. If all of your baby’s symptoms have subsided, reintroduce the food that you suspect as the cause of fussiness.If your baby starts showing symptoms of discomfort or fussiness within 24 hours of breastfeeding, that food was the culprit and you should remove it from your diet for now. As your baby grows and develops, their stomach will get stronger and adapt to a wider variety of foods. If you have any questions about this process, don’t hesitate to talk to your doctor first.
Conclusion
Breastfeeding your baby is an excellent way to bond, but it means that whatever you consume, your baby consumes. To make sure they’re comfortable, you’ll need to make some adjustments to your healthy diet. Talk to your doctor if you’re concerned or have any questions about allergens. If you need a breast pump for your newborn, don’t forget that the Affordable Care Act means that expectant mothers are eligible to receive an electric breast pump covered by their insurance provider! Just head over to our home page and browse our selection.
If you’ve had a fussy baby and tried any form of an elimination diet to pinpoint the source, head over to our Facebook page today and let us know what food was the culprit!
Should You Avoid Certain Foods While Breastfeeding?
28 August 2020
The time you spend breastfeeding your baby is innately special. Breastfeeding allows you to form a closer bond with your child by providing them with warmth, comfort and security. It also provides countless benefits for your baby’s health and their ability to grow and develop. In fact, your breast milk is perfectly suited to provide your new baby with all of the nutrients, cells, hormones and disease-fighting antibodies he or she needs.
Despite the countless benefits associated with breastfeeding, many new or soon-to-be moms are worried about how their diet may affect their breast milk and their baby. While it’s true that certain substances you eat, drink or ingest can be passed through your breast milk, this doesn’t mean you have to completely change your diet or give up your favorite foods after giving birth.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, women generally do not need to avoid specific foods while breastfeeding. Above all else, it’s important that new moms eat a healthy and diverse diet that’s rich in nutrients. New moms are also encouraged to eat an additional 330 to 400 calories per day to supplement the energy and nutrition needed to properly produce breast milk.
However, there are certain foods and drinks you should consume with caution as too much can cause problems or have a negative effect on your baby. In the end, it’s all about moderation. For some substances, such as tobacco and marijuana, avoidance is crucial while breastfeeding as they can be detrimental for your baby’s health and development.
We’ll dive into certain foods and drinks that should be limited (or consumed with caution) while breastfeeding, as well as debunk a few myths that exist regarding things to avoid while breastfeeding.
Consume with caution: alcohol
No amount of alcohol is safe for your baby to consume.
Because alcohol passes through your breast milk to your baby, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) generally recommends mothers avoid drinking alcohol while breastfeeding.
If you do choose to drink, the AAP considers it safe to consume one alcoholic drink per day (equal to a 4-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce beer or 1 ounce of hard liquor). It’s best to consume alcohol after you finish breastfeeding or pumping, rather than before. The AAP also recommends that you wait at least two hours after consuming alcohol before your next nursing or pumping session to allow your body time to metabolize as much alcohol as possible.
“Pumping and dumping” (expressing or pumping breast milk after drinking alcohol, and then discarding it), will not reduce the amount of alcohol present in your breast milk. It will also not help you metabolize alcohol more quickly. This method removes the milk from your breasts, but your alcohol levels can still be high in your blood, meaning it can still be passed into newly produced breast milk.
Limit: caffeine
Less than 1% of the caffeine you consume is passed through your breast milk to your baby. This small quantity does not typically harm your baby if you limit your caffeine intake to just a couple of cups per day. The AAP recommends that you limit yourself to two to three cups of coffee, soda, energy drinks or tea per day (no more than 16 to 24 ounces total).
Consuming large amounts of caffeinated beverages (more than five cups per day) can disrupt your baby’s sleep patterns or cause your baby to become irritable, fussy or jittery. If you notice any of these reactions from your baby after consuming caffeine, consider decreasing your intake or eliminating it from your diet temporarily.
Limit: chocolate
Chocolate can have the same effects as caffeine when consumed in large quantities. Chocolate contains caffeine as well as a stimulant called theobromine, a substance found in the cocoa plant. This stimulant is more present in dark chocolate than milk chocolate and is absent from white chocolate.
Again, it’s about moderation. Eating a few pieces of chocolate candy or indulging in a slice of chocolate cake is perfectly fine. Just limit your chocolate intake and don’t overdo it.
Consume with caution: fish
Fish and other forms of seafood are a great source of protein, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins D and B12, iron, and minerals such as selenium, zinc and iodine. However, most varieties of fish also contain mercury, which can cause damage to your baby’s nervous system in large quantities.
When consumed in moderation, the mercury found in fish is only passed through breast milk in small amounts. To help limit the amount of mercury you consume and pass to your baby, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends limiting your weekly fish intake and avoiding fish that are known to be high in mercury.
In general, the FDA recommends eating only two to three servings of low-mercury fish per week (one serving is equal to 4 ounces of raw fish) or eating one serving per week of fish with elevated levels of mercury, such as white/albacore tuna or mahi-mahi (dolphinfish).
High-mercury fish that should be completely avoided while breastfeeding include king mackerel, marlin, orange roughy, shark, swordfish, tilefish and bigeye tuna. View the FDA’s fish consumption guidelines for breastfeeding mothers here.
If you’re eating fish caught by a friend or family member, check the fish advisories provided by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for known mercury levels in the area. Limit yourself to one serving of these fish per week while breastfeeding.
Avoid: tobacco and marijuana
Tobacco and marijuana products should be avoided while breastfeeding. The nicotine found in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, can easily be passed through a mother’s bloodstream and into her breast milk. When ingested, nicotine can impact your baby’s sleep patterns. Nicotine has also been known to decrease milk supply by slowing the production of prolactin, a hormone that’s necessary for the production of breast milk.
Marijuana can also be passed to your baby via your breast milk.
While the long-term effects of THC (the chemical found in marijuana) on infant brain development are still being studied, the AAP maintains that no amount of THC is safe for your baby to consume.
Breastfeeding myths debunked
There are plenty of myths surrounding foods that you should avoid while breastfeeding due to the supposed effects they can have on your baby. We dove into a few of the most common breastfeeding myths to see if they had any scientific backing.
Myth: Peppermint, parsley and sage decrease milk production.
It’s a myth that peppermint, parsley and sage decrease breast milk supply when consumed in large quantities (e.g. as herbal supplements). There is no scientific evidence to prove that these three herbs affect milk production; however, it’s always best to consult your doctor before taking herbal supplements or using herbal products, such as herbal teas or essential oils. Herbs are not regulated by the FDA, meaning there is no guarantee of safety.
In general, using common herbs and spices to flavor foods is perfectly safe for both you and your baby. When consumed in pill or tea form, however, some herbs can be very potent and enter your milk supply, and very little research has been done on how this affects nursing infants. View BabyCenter’s breast milk interactions chart for more information about herbs and breastfeeding.
Myth: You should avoid spicy foods and garlic.
It’s a myth that you should avoid strongly flavored foods, such as spicy foods or garlic, while breastfeeding. While it’s true that these flavor profiles can change the taste of your breast milk, many babies are not bothered by it.
Your child’s tolerance for spicy flavors or garlic will depend on both cultural traditions and personal habits. If you regularly ate spicy foods and lots of garlic while pregnant, your baby will have already been exposed to them in your amniotic fluid (yes, babies do consume some amniotic fluid) and is more likely to be accustomed to those flavors after birth.
It can take anywhere from two to six hours for strong flavors to show up in your breast milk after you eat them. If you do notice that your baby is fussy, gassy or rejects the breast after you eat spicy foods or lots of garlic, consult your pediatrician. They may recommend that you try eliminating these foods from your diet for a few days to see if anything improves.
Myth: You should avoid “gassy” foods while breastfeeding.
It’s a myth that foods that can typically make mothers gassy, such as beans, cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and onion, will also make your baby gassier after breastfeeding. Gas is a local reaction in your body that occurs in your gastrointestinal tract, so things that make you gassy won’t affect your baby’s digestive system.
Foods that you consume and pass through your breast milk can only make your baby gassy if they have a specific sensitivity to them.
Food allergies and sensitivities
Speaking of food sensitivities, some babies may have an intolerance or allergy to certain foods.
Whenever you eat something, molecules from those foods make their way through your breast milk and into your baby’s digestive system. If your baby is allergic or intolerant to what you ate, their digestive may become inflamed or an immune response may be trigged. It’s unlikely for your breast milk to trigger an allergic reaction in your baby, but it is still possible.
While food allergies and sensitivities will vary from baby to baby, the most common foods that can trigger a negative response are cow’s milk (dairy), soy, gluten, eggs, peanuts and tree nuts, shellfish and citrus.
This doesn’t mean you should avoid these foods while breastfeeding from the start. Exposing your baby to different foods is the best way to learn about any food sensitivities they may have. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms, which may signal a food allergy or intolerance.
- Gas
- Crying and colic
- Diarrhea
- Bloody or mucousy tools
- Rash
- Eczema
- Excessive sitting up or vomiting
- Congestion, runny, nose, wheezing or coughing
- Sleeping problems
If you notice any of these symptoms in your baby after breastfeeding, consult their pediatrician as soon as possible.
If they suspect the problems are being caused by a food sensitivity, they may recommend you eliminate certain foods from your diet for two to three weeks to determine the culprit. The only way to treat food allergies or intolerances in babies is strictly avoiding the problem-causing food.
For more information about breastfeeding or how your diet can affect your baby, contact an INTEGRIS pediatrician near you.
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Breastfeeding diet
A woman's life changes with the birth of a child. All other problems fade into the background. The main goal is to take care of the baby. In order for a child to grow up strong and healthy, he needs good nutrition. Breastfeeding allows the baby to receive a vital complex of vitamins and nutrients. However, so that when breastfeeding the baby does not have additional problems in the form of colic or allergic reactions, the mother needs to follow a diet while breastfeeding.
Why a diet is needed
Balanced nutrition
Is a diet really necessary when breastfeeding?
In order for the child to get enough nutrients, the mother needs to eat foods rich in vital vitamins and minerals.
Please note! The mother's diet should be based on the principles of a healthy diet.
Do not go to extremes. Knowing that she takes food not only for herself, but also for the child, many women begin to eat 2 times more. This has a detrimental effect on the health of a woman due to excessive stress. Or, in an effort to return to their usual forms after the birth of a baby, women go on a strict diet. It also adversely affects the quality of breast milk.
Do not think that the diet of a nursing mother implies strict restrictions in everything. The main thing is to follow a proper and balanced diet.
Expert advice
Proper nutrition for breastfeeding women
In order for the baby to get all the necessary nutrients in sufficient quantities, and for the mother’s body to recover quickly after childbirth, it is recommended to follow the basic advice of breastfeeding experts:
- Try to keep a daily routine and eat at the same time.
- Try to eliminate processed foods, canned foods, smoked and spicy foods from your diet.
- The mother's main diet should include the following useful substances: protein, carbohydrates, fats.
- It is very useful to eat greens. It stimulates the gastrointestinal tract well.
- If a mother experiences mild discomfort, dizziness, nausea while breastfeeding, she needs to drink a glass of warm compote or tea with biscuits or unsweetened pastries.
Allergy risk
Allergy risk
Many young mothers are concerned about the question: is it possible to eat foods that cause allergies while breastfeeding.
It is not recommended to eat foods that can cause allergies in the mother or child in the first months of his life. When the baby reaches the age of 4-5 months, you can gradually begin to introduce additional foods into the mother's diet.
Please note! Take them in small portions in the morning.
After taking it, you should monitor the condition of the child for several days.
If there is no allergic reaction, you can continue to eat such foods.
If you notice that with the introduction of a new product in the diet, the baby's stool has changed, and a rash has appeared, postpone its use for several months.
Products - allergens
Foods that can cause an allergic reaction:
- Citrus fruits
- Coffee and cocoa
- Chocolate and chocolates
- Nuts
- Eggs
- Dairy products from cow's milk
- Seafood
You can start eating them after the baby is six months old. At this age, the main allergens practically do not penetrate into the mother's milk and are safe for the baby.
It is worth remembering that if the child is prone to allergic reactions, it is necessary to continue natural breastfeeding as long as possible, and postpone the start of complementary feeding to a later date.
Optimally - after 1 year.
Basic restrictions
What not to eat while breastfeeding
There are a huge number of products in the world that can cause irreparable harm to the health of not only the mother, but also the child. A nursing mother should be careful when eating.
Thus, the following foods should be completely excluded:
- Foods that cause an allergic reaction
- Soups with meat and fish broths
- Pickled products
- Sour food
- Sweet dishes
- Salty food
- Garlic
- Carbonated drinks
Apples, watermelon, melon, coffee can be consumed in limited quantities, provided that the child does not have an allergic reaction to these products.
Eliminate smoking, alcohol and drugs
For the formation of a healthy child's body, a nursing mother is strictly forbidden to use:
- Alcohol
- Narcotic substances
Remember that smoking is also harmful to the body of both mother and child.
Recommended products
Turkey cutlets
The main food should be rich in nutrients and contain the necessary amount of useful vitamins and minerals. What should a mother eat while breastfeeding?
- Eat foods rich in protein. For example, fish, turkey, veal, rabbit. It is acceptable to eat lean pork.
Dairy products
- Calcium is very useful for a child. It is found in the following products: cottage cheese, natural kefir, drinking yogurt, low-fat sour cream.
- Food rich in fats. Their body receives from olive, vegetable and butter oils.
- Fruit. They should be used with caution. You can start with apples, gradually adding other fruits to your diet. Make sure that they contain a minimum amount of acids.
- Vegetables. Limit yourself to greenery. Other types of vegetables are best consumed boiled or in the form of stews.
Bread rolls
- Flour products.
It is highly recommended not to eat fresh white bread. Better buy dark bread, preferably bran. It should not be consumed fresh. Ideally, bread for the diet of a nursing mother should be yesterday's. Homemade shortbread cookies and bread are also allowed. - Sweet dishes. Give preference to natural products. They should contain a minimum amount of sugar. Allowed to use jam, marshmallow, marshmallows without chocolate, marmalade. Remember that sugary foods should be consumed in limited quantities.
Proper drinking
Drink more
Speaking about the diet of a nursing mother, one cannot but mention such an important aspect as the organization of drinking.
Please note! For the normal process of lactation of the mother, it is necessary to consume an increased amount of liquid per day.
So, to the usual 2 liters of fluid per day for a nursing mother, you need to add up to 1 liter of fluid per day.
It doesn't have to be water. You can take the following types of drink:
- Unsweetened compote
- Tea
- Milk
- Natural juice
Increased fluid intake should be started gradually. At the same time, monitor the condition of your child.
Mother's diet and medicines
Medicines
A woman's body weakened by childbirth is susceptible to various diseases. In many cases, for their effective treatment, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. How will drugs affect the lactation process?
Ask a specialist if the prescribed medicine can be used while breastfeeding. If not, check if lactation-safe analogues of the drug can be taken.
What to eat while breastfeeding | Breastfeeding Diet
You know that breast milk is the best food for your baby. What about your own nutrition while breastfeeding? We asked the nutritionist a few questions about the nutrition of a nursing mother.
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Priya Tew, UK-based registered dietitian :
Priya is a nutritionist, M.D., multi-award winning member of the British Dietetic Association and the Health Professions Council. She has three children, and she breastfed each of them for up to 18 months.
There is no need to follow a special diet while breastfeeding, as long as your diet is balanced. It should include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as oats, brown rice, various cereals, and breads labeled "whole grain", "wholemeal" or "wholemeal". These foods, along with potatoes, pasta, and couscous, are high in starch, an important source of energy.
In addition, you need lean proteins found in chicken, eggs, legumes, lentils, fish, and lean beef, as well as healthy fats found in olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados, and fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel. Oily fish is very good for your health and development of your baby, but you should not eat more than two servings per week (about 140 g), as it may contain harmful impurities.
1
Should I take vitamins while breastfeeding?
The most important is vitamin D. It is essential for healthy bones, yours and your baby's. We get most of this vitamin from the sun. If you live in a region with insufficient solar activity, especially in winter, your body may lack it. In this case, the doctor may advise taking vitamin D supplements. 2
You also need to get enough calcium, as it is excreted from the body during breastfeeding. 3 Try to eat four servings of foods rich in this mineral a day. These can be dairy products such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, or non-dairy products such as nuts, tofu, sesame seeds, and leafy vegetables. One serving may consist of, for example, half a cup of green vegetables or a small piece of cheese (50 g).
What foods should I avoid while breastfeeding?
The good news is that you can eat almost anything while breastfeeding. Only the consumption of oily fish should be limited.
In small quantities, even caffeine is acceptable - more on this below.
If you are not allergic to peanuts, there is no reason to deny yourself products that contain peanuts. Recent studies show that if you eat peanuts while breastfeeding and gradually introduce them into your baby's diet during the first year, your baby will be less likely to become allergic to them in the future. 4
Do I need extra calories while breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding mothers need about 500 more calories a day. 5 But every mother is unique and your energy needs will change throughout your breastfeeding period. The number of calories you need depends on your baby's age, appetite, height, and weight, as well as your body mass index (BMI), your activity, and factors such as whether you are exclusively breastfeeding or not, and whether you are breastfeeding twins or multiple babies.
Can I go on a diet while breastfeeding?
Trying to lose weight while breastfeeding is not a good idea because you need to get enough nutrients for you and your baby.
The fat accumulated during pregnancy is used to produce milk, so breastfeeding in itself will help you shed those extra pounds.
If your weight changes by more than 1 kg per week, check if you are eating a healthy and balanced diet and adjust if necessary. You can also ask your doctor for advice.
How can I find time to prepare healthy meals?
Having devoted yourself to feeding a child, you can forget about your own nutrition. However, it is important to ensure that your diet does not consist only of sweets and cookies. Of course, sweet snacks are easy and quick, but they do not bring any benefit to your body.
Opt for quick yet nutritious meals like scrambled eggs with spinach or fried chicken with brown rice. Oatmeal is great for breakfast, as it provides a slow release of energy from grains and soluble dietary fiber, which is what you need to restore strength in the morning after a night of breastfeeding.
Store pre-cut fruits and vegetables in the refrigerator for light snacks, or carry unsalted nuts in your bag.
It's much easier than peeling tangerines with one hand while holding a baby with the other.
Should I drink more water while breastfeeding?
Breastfeeding can make you thirsty, so it's important to drink enough water. A person needs six to eight glasses of fluid a day, and even more if breastfeeding. 6 Make it a habit to drink a glass of water, milk or fruit juice without sugar every time you feed your baby.
I love coffee. Do I need to quit caffeine?
Coffee, like everything you eat or drink, passes into breast milk, so it is advisable to limit your intake while breastfeeding. Legal coffee limits vary by country, but the average recommendation is not to exceed 200-300 mg of caffeine per day (300 mg is equivalent to two cups of filtered coffee or four cups of tea). Talk to your doctor about the acceptable amount of coffee consumption for you. Also, don't forget that caffeine is found in cola and energy drinks, and a small bar of dark chocolate can contain up to 50 mg.
7
If I eat a varied diet, will my baby be less picky about food?
Breast milk has the flavor of everything you eat. 8 Therefore, if you eat a variety of foods while breastfeeding, giving your baby different tastes, he may like them in the future.
If you like spicy and spicy foods, there is no reason to refuse them while breastfeeding. When my first child was born, I ate a lot of spicy food. When my daughter was two years old, we went to Sri Lanka, coincidence or not, but she ate absolutely everything.
Is there anything in my diet that is not suitable for a child?
At an early age, babies often suffer from colic or are picky eaters, so mothers naturally wonder if their diet is causing this. Probably not. Studies show that the proportion of children who are allergic to any component of breast milk is only slightly more than 1%. 9 Cow's milk, eggs, corn, and soy proteins in moms' diets are much more likely to cause allergic reactions than spicy foods, hot sauces, or cruciferous vegetables, which moms usually worry about.
If your baby is allergic to substances in your milk, it can cause profuse vomiting, rash, bloody stools, or prolonged constipation. If your baby has an intolerance to any food, you will notice symptoms such as moodiness and crying after feeding, burping, diarrhea, or the baby will press his knees to his chest. Contact your doctor if something is bothering you. He may suggest eliminating certain foods for a couple of weeks, and then see if the child's behavior changes after eating them again.
You can also keep a food diary: write down everything you eat and drink, as well as your child's symptoms, and you may notice some patterns. However, before cutting out any foods, such as dairy, always check with your doctor, as it's important to know that you're getting the nutrients you need from other sources. Depending on where you live, you will be referred to a nutritionist or other specialist.
Does a vegetarian diet affect breast milk?
If you are getting enough calories and all the nutrients your body needs (carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins and minerals), then you have nothing to worry about.
A vegetarian or vegan diet requires plenty of vitamin B12, vitamin D, calcium, and omega-3 fatty acids while breastfeeding, so opt for foods and supplements that provide you with these essential nutrients.
If you are on a vegetarian, vegan, macrobiotic, or other special diet, you may need additional medical advice to make sure you are getting all the nutrients your baby needs.
Literature
1 National Health Service (NHS) [Internet]. Burnley, UK: Department of Health; 2018. Should pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid some types of fish?; 2015 Jul 06 [cited 2018 Apr 12]; Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/should-pregnant-and-breastfeeding-women-avoid-some-types-of-fish.aspx - National Health Service (NHS) [Internet]. Burnley, UK: Department of Health; 2018. "Should a pregnant and lactating woman refrain from eating certain types of fish?"; July 6, 2015 [cited April 12, 2018]; See article on site https://www.nhs.uk/chq/Pages/should-pregnant-and-breastfeeding-women-avoid-some-types-of-fish.
aspx
2 Oberhelman SS et al. Maternal vitamin D supplementation to improve the vitamin D status of breast-fed infants: a randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clin Proc. 2013;88(12):1378–1387. - Oberhelman S.S. et al., Introduction of Vitamin D to the Diet of Nursing Mothers to Increase Vitamin D in children: a randomized controlled trial. Mayo Clean Proc. 2013;88(12):1378–1387. : effects on the mother and the fetus. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2006;194(4):937-945. - Thomas M., Weisman S. M., "Calcium intake during pregnancy and lactation: effects on the mother and on the fetus". Am J Obstet Ginekol (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology). 2006;194(4):937-945.
4 Pitt and al . Reduced risk of peanut sensitization following exposure through breast-feeding and early peanut introduction.
J Allergy Clinic Immunol. 2018;141(2):620-625. e 1 - Pitt et al., "Reducing the Risk of Peanut Allergy by Introducing Peanuts into the Breastfeeding Mother's Diet and as a Baby's First Food." G Allergy Clean Immunol. 2018;141(2):620-625.e1
5 Dewey KG. Energy and protein requirements during lactation. Annu Rev Nutr. 1997 Jul;17(1):19-36. - Dewey K. J., "Energy and Protein Requirements During Lactation". Annu Rev Nutr . 1997 Jul;17(1):19-36.
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