Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding: A Comprehensive Mother’s Guide
By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nikita Toshi +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nikita Toshi
Last updated: Apr 17, 2024Table of Contents
Breastfeeding is an essential aspect of motherhood, providing vital nutrients for your baby. Ensuring a healthy diet for yourself not only benefits your own body, but it plays a crucial role in the quality of the breast milk produced for your little one. As a result, it is important to be aware of certain foods and substances that should be avoided or limited while breastfeeding.
In this comprehensive guide, we will discuss the foods and beverages you should avoid or limit during breastfeeding. We will also explore how specific food items can impact the quality of your breast milk and potential reactions in your baby. Furthermore, this article will address common questions and concerns you might have about your diet and its effect on your baby’s health and well-being.
Did you know?
Having fish high in mercury can affect your baby’s developing nervous system. It’s best to limit it.
There are fish that have lots of mercury. You shouldn’t have these often while breastfeeding.
Some tuna types like light canned tuna have less mercury. These can be eaten at times. However, bigeye and yellowfin tuna are full of mercury and best avoided.
Shark meat has lots of mercury. Don’t eat it while breastfeeding.
Swordfish too is high in mercury. Stay clear of it while you’re breastfeeding.
King mackerel is loved by many but it’s rich in mercury. Avoid it during breastfeeding.
Tilefish, mostly found in the Gulf of Mexico, has a lot of mercury. Avoid it if you’re breastfeeding.
Mercury can harm your baby’s developing nervous system. Too much mercury through breast milk can delay cognition, fine motor skills, speech, language, and visual-spatial awareness.
Avoiding high-mercury fish is key. But low-mercury fish can offer great nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids. Try to have 8-12 ounces (225-340 grams) of low mercury fish like salmon, shrimp, pollock, and catfish weekly.
Next, let’s look at a table about this:
| Fish to Avoid | Low-Mercury Alternatives |
|---|---|
| Tuna (bigeye, yellowfin) | Light canned tuna |
| Shark | Salmon |
| Swordfish | Shrimp |
| King Mackerel | Pollock |
| Tilefish | Catfish |
With herbal supplements, one must be careful during breastfeeding. They could pose risks to you and your baby.
Herbal supplements bring several issues while breastfeeding. These relate to safety and possible effects on milk supply and quality.
Some herbal supplements can harm you or your baby. Plus, because these aren’t regulated well, they could be contaminated with heavy metals or other harmful stuff.
Some herbal supplements can hurt the milk supply and quality. This might lead to less milk production or reduce the nutritional value for your baby.
Not every herb is unsafe for breastfeeding, but some should be avoided due to their risks.
Fenugreek is often used to boost milk production. But it can cause stomach issues. It should be avoided unless a healthcare professional says otherwise.
Black cohosh is used for female reproductive health. Yet, it may affect hormone levels and is linked with liver toxicity. So you should avoid it while breastfeeding.
Using ginseng while breastfeeding might make your baby irritable because it’s a stimulant.
Echinacea is used to boost the immune system. But there isn’t enough research to show it’s safe while breastfeeding. As such, use it cautiously.
Take note of this table summarizing the herbs to avoid:
| Herbs to Avoid | Reasons to Avoid |
|---|---|
| Fenugreek | Gastrointestinal issues, impacts milk supply |
| Black Cohosh | Hormone disruption, liver toxicity |
| Ginseng | Can cause irritability in baby |
| Echinacea | Limited research on safety |
If you drink alcohol while breastfeeding, it should be limited. As it can affect your breast milk and your baby.
Alcohol can get into your bloodstream and pass into your breast milk. This can impact your baby.
When you have alcohol, keep it to one or two drinks within a day. And wait at least two hours after drinking before breastfeeding.
Limit alcohol consumption to one standard drink per day. And wait at least two hours after a drink to breastfeed. That gives time for the alcohol to leave your breast milk.
If you plan to have more than one or two alcoholic drinks, you might want to use the “pumping and dumping” method. This removes alcohol-rich milk. But, be aware of the effects of drinking too much alcohol on your ability to care for your baby and the increased risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Here’s a quick summary table:
| Alcohol Consumption | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Drinking in Moderation | Limit to one standard drink per day; wait at least 2 hours after drinking before breastfeeding |
| Pumping and Dumping | Consider using this method after consuming more than one or two drinks in a short period |
It’s best to limit caffeine intake while breastfeeding. It can cause your baby to feel irritable and disrupt sleep.
Caffeine can pass into your breast milk and affect your baby’s mood or sleep. This can result in fussiness and restlessness.
Different beverages have different caffeine amounts. So, be aware of your total intake each day.
Try to limit your caffeine intake. Do not exceed more than 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of caffeine-containing beverages per day. This will help avoid any possible bad effects on your baby.
Here’s a table about caffeine content:
| Beverage | Amount of Caffeine (Approximate) |
|---|---|
| 8-ounce Coffee | 95 mg |
| 8-ounce Tea | 47 mg |
| 12-ounce Soda | 29 mg |
| 1.5-ounce Espresso | 64 mg |
Eating less processed foods is vital for your health and your baby’s well-being.
Processed foods can lead to a lack of proper nutrients for you and your baby. These can make allergies and sensitivity reactions more likely in your baby.
Processed foods can mean more calories, unhealthy fats, and added sugars. Yet they can have less fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This makes it hard to have a balanced diet full of nutrients.
If you eat a lot of processed foods while breastfeeding, your baby may be exposed to certain food additives. This can raise the risk of them getting allergies or sensitivities later in life.
You need to be aware of the additives in processed foods. Aim to restrict or avoid those that could harm your baby.
These sugar replacements can be found in many processed foods and drinks. Some studies hint that they can harm health if used in excess. Talk to your doctor if they’re safe for you during breastfeeding.
These are chemicals put in foods to make them last longer. They might have unknown effects on you and your baby. So, choose fresh, as unprocessed foods as much as possible.
Artificial food colors may be tied to kids’ behavior problems. So go for foods with natural color or no added colors.
Here’s a useful summary table:
| Highly Processed Foods | Concerns |
|---|---|
| Artificial Sweeteners | Potential negative health effects; safety during breastfeeding unclear |
| Preservatives | Unknown effects on you and your baby |
| Food Colorings | May be linked to behavioral problems in children |
You must consume well-cooked food while you are pregnant. Undercooked foods like undercooked sprouts, meat, fish, etc. might lead to infections. I would suggest that pregnant women might need to avoid undercooked sprouts to avoid getting infected.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Apart from what’s been mentioned, keep in mind other diet factors that could affect your baby’s health and wellbeing.
Strongly flavored foods and allergens should be checked for possible reactions.
If you enjoy spicy foods, you can still have them while breastfeeding. But best to do it mildly. If spicy foods discomfort your baby, limit them.
Garlic-flavored breast milk is usually safe for babies. But some babies may show a change in taste preference or show a sensitivity to garlic. Notice your baby’s reactions and adjust your diet as needed.
Be on the lookout for any signs of food sensitivity or allergy in your baby to common allergens. These include peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk, soy, wheat, and shellfish.
Gradually add peanuts to your diet and watch your baby’s reaction. Stop eating peanuts if your baby has a negative reaction.
Notice your baby’s reaction to tree nuts in your diet. Stop eating them if your baby reacts poorly.
Some infants may react to cow’s milk protein. Your doctor may prescribe if you suspect your baby is allergic to cow’s milk protein from your breast milk.
Some infants may be allergic to soy protein. Your healthcare provider may suggest if you suspect your baby is allergic to soy from your breast milk.
Observe how your baby reacts to wheat in your diet. Ask your doctor about it if you suspect a wheat allergy.
Shellfish can be a powerful allergen for some. Take note of how your baby reacts to shellfish in your diet. Stop eating them if your baby shows a negative reaction.
Certain foods might lessen your milk supply if you eat a lot of them.
These herbs might hurt your milk production if you eat a lot of them. Best to eat less of these while breastfeeding to avoid less milk supply.
Here’s a summary table:
| Other Considerations | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Strong Flavors | Monitor baby’s reactions and adjust diet accordingly |
| Common Allergens | Introduce gradually and observe for any negative reactions |
| Foods That Decrease Milk Supply | Limit intake of peppermint, parsley, and sage |
I usually tell my patients to avoid alcohol consumption, especially during pregnancy and until they are breastfeeding. As alcohol is said to pass through the umbilical cord to the baby, it might have negative effects on the developing baby. It might lead to miscarriage, stillbirth, and other developmental disabilities.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
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To ensure your baby’s best health, keep an eye on your diet and any food sensitivity or allergy signs in your infant.
The common signs of food sensitivity or allergy in babies include skin rash, bloody stools, throwing up, loose stools, rashes, blocked poop, wheezing, stuffiness, abnormal fussiness, and gas.
If you think a certain food is causing a reaction in your infant, an elimination diet might help.
An elimination diet means not eating the food that might be causing allergies for at least two weeks. Watch your baby’s reaction, then reintroduce the food and watch for symptoms.
Once the food is back in your diet, keep close watch over your baby’s reaction. Guess if the food is causing the symptoms. Talk to your doctor if you think a food is causing a reaction.
Check out this table about it:
| Identifying Food-Related Issues | Recommendations |
|---|---|
| Common Signs | Be aware of signs of food sensitivity or allergy in your baby |
| Elimination Diets | Remove suspected allergens and reintroduce to confirm the issue |
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Watching your diet closely is important for your health and your breastfeeding baby’s wellbeing. By eating a mix of good foods and avoiding problematic ones, this can greatly help your baby’s nutrition and growth.
As a breastfeeding mother, you play an important part in giving your baby needed nutrients. By watching what you eat, seeing your baby’s reactions, and asking your healthcare provider when you need to, you can ensure a healthy, happy breastfeeding journey.
Can some foods increase breast milk supply?
Yes, some foods, such as oatmeal, can help support an increased milk supply. However, the most effective strategy for increasing milk supply is frequent breastfeeding or pumping.
What are the top 5 foods to eat while breastfeeding?
A balanced diet is essential for breastfeeding mothers. Some particularly nutritious foods to incorporate into your diet include lean meats, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and calcium-rich dairy products.
Which fruits should be avoided while breastfeeding?
There are typically no specific fruits that need to be avoided during breastfeeding, but if you notice your baby reacting to a certain fruit in your diet, it may be worth eliminating that fruit and observing any changes.
Is it okay to eat anything while breastfeeding?
In general, there are no strict dietary restrictions for breastfeeding mothers. However, it is important to maintain a well-balanced diet and avoid or limit certain foods that can be harmful to your baby, such as those high in mercury or containing specific allergens.
How can I determine if my diet is causing my baby to be fussy or have an allergic reaction?
If you suspect a specific food is causing a reaction in your baby, try removing that food from your diet for at least two weeks, observing your baby’s response, and reintroducing the food to see if symptoms return. Always consult with your healthcare provider for further guidance on diet-related concerns.
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