What Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding?

母乳喂养是最好的方式之一,债券your baby. It has myriad benefits for you as well as your baby, but you may want to avoid coffee, tea, chocolate, gassy foods, fish, spicy foods, eggs, nuts, milk and peppermint, parsley, and sage as they may cause reactions in your baby.

Breastfeedingis one of the best ways to bond with your baby. It has myriad benefits for you as well as your baby.Breast milksupplies the perfectnutritionfor yournewbornthat satiates their hunger andthirstas well as strengthens immunity. It also releases the feel-good hormones in the mother, aidsweight loss, and reducescancerrisk.

Women need to be extra cautious about theirdietduringpregnancyand breastfeeding because the foods they eat may directly or indirectly affect the baby. It is necessary to eat well while breastfeeding. Adietrich in wholesome fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and calcium-rich foods is recommended. You need an estimated 300 to 500 extra calories per day as a breastfeeding mother. Every baby has different needs and they react differently to different foods. For instance, somebabiesget gassy or fussy when their moms eat beans, cauliflower, or broccoli, whereas others can tolerate these foods just fine. However, some common foods, if avoided, would be better if you are breastfeeding.

Gassy foods

If your baby is colicky or gassy, avoid the following foods for a few weeks to see whether they relieve symptoms:

• Beans
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Brussels sprouts

Chocolate, coffee

Caffeinein chocolate and coffee can harm your child. They can affect your and your baby’ssleep. Hence, it is advisable to avoid or limit yourcaffeineintake. You can also try the decaf option.

Fish

Although fish are a good source of protein and are rich inomega-3 fatty acids, there is a chance that fish may have mercury and other contaminants. Fish that are high in mercury include

• Shark
• Swordfish
• King mackerel
• Tilefish
• Bass
• Prawns

If you still need to have fish, you can have well-cooked seafood twice per week. Besides that, choose fish that are lower in mercury, such as salmon, tilapia, and trout.

Spicy foods

Most breastfeeding babies can handle spicy food in your diet. However, if your baby is gassy or colicky and getsdiarrheaevery time you have spicy food, then it’s time to cut back on the heat.

Peppermint, parsley, and sage

Although they have numerous health benefits, they are not preferred during breastfeeding. The main reason could be that they affect lactation and milk supply. For example, eating excess parsley, sage and peppermint may cut your milk supply. Even peppermint-flavoredtoothpasteor candies can be problematic for somenursingmoms.

Milk

It doesn’t usually cause any problems. However, to be sure, see how your baby reacts to it. Inform your pediatrician if your kid has the following problems after breastfeeding:

• Skin problems
• Troublebreathing
• Loose stoolswith arasharound the buttocks

Tea

Caffeine in tea can cause the following problems in mother and baby:

• Affectsleep
• Reduce the absorption of iron, which is required for energy

If you still can’t live without your tea, then make sure that you don’t drink tea when you eat iron-rich foods.

Eggs, peanuts, and nuts

If your baby seems to show the following symptoms after breastfeeding, then immediately consult your physician:

• Frequent spitting up orvomiting
• Apparentabdominal pain
• Blood ormucusin stools
• Hard stools
• Rashand swelling

These are signs of anallergic reactioncaused due to eggs, peanuts, or nuts that you consumed. Try avoiding these food items for a few weeks to check if the child recovers.

Sugarydrinksandalcohol

Sugary drinks are a big no-no for a nursing mom. It gives you calories without anynutrition. Hence, avoid sodas or fruit drinks when you are thirsty. Instead, go for a glass of water every time you breastfeed the child. Similarly, nursing moms should avoid alcohol completely.