What food to avoid during breastfeeding?

We all agree that breast milk is the best nutrition for the healthy development of baby. In some situations, the breast milk however may irritate the weak digestive system of the baby if the nursing mother eats certain food. It is therefore important for nursing mother to avoid certain food while breastfeeding.

Nursing mother not only need to avoid food that is gassy, but also avoid those food that adds unpleasant flavor to the breast milk or food that lowers breast milk production.

What to avoid during breastfeeding?

1. Coffee or coke

Coffee or coke contains caffeine. When nursing mother drinks coffee, the caffeine will enter the bloodstream and end up in the breast milk. The caffeine can cause irritation, crankiness in baby.

2. Tea

Similar to coffee, tea contains a significant amount of caffeine.

3. Chocolate

Similar to coffee, chocolate contains a significant amount of caffeine that is not suitable for infant.  

4. Citrus Fruits

Acids found in citrus fruits may irritate the digestive system of the baby which can lead to fussiness, spitting up or diaper rash in some babies.

Common citrus fruit includes lemon, oranges, tangerines, limes, pomelo and grapefruit.

5. Peppermint

If you enjoy peppermint tea, you probably need to take a break from peppermint if you are breastfeeding. This is because peppermint can lower the breast milk production.

6. Alcohol

It is wise to abstain from alcohol while breastfeeding. Studies have shown that alcohol can affect baby’s eating and sleeping pattern. When nursing mother drinks alcohol, the breastfed baby will drink less milk and tend to sleep for a shorter duration although he or she may fall asleep more easily.

Studies have also shown that if babies, whose mothers drink at least once a day, will lag in gross motor development.

7. Garlic

Garlic you eat will add flavor to the breast milk. Some babies do not like this additional flavor and therefore may reject breast milk.  

8. Gassy vegetable

Gassy vegetable includes garlic, onion, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber and peppers.

Gassy vegetable may cause colic or spitting up in babies.

9. Fish or shellfish that has a high level of mercury

Nearly all fish and shellfish contain traces of mercury. But some contain high levels. Eating large amounts of these fish and shellfish can result in high levels of mercury in the human body. In infant, this can damage the brain and nervous system. Because of this harmful effect, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised the nursing mothers to avoid eating fish that is high in mercury and to eat limited amounts of fish and shellfish that are lower in mercury:

Fish that contains a high level of mercury includes shark, tuna, swordfish, king mackerel or tilefish.

Consume with precaution

For the food listed below, you may eat with precaution. Every baby is different, some food may irritate baby and some may cause allergic reaction from baby.

1. Spicy food

Some spicy food like pepper can cause baby to be fussy. It is therefore important for nursing mother to observe baby’s reaction after eating any spicy food.

Spicy food may also cause baby to develop constipation.

2. Egg

If any of your family members has allergy to egg, you may need to eat egg with precaution as it may cause allergy in your baby.

3. Corn

Allergy to corn is very common. If your baby shows discomfort after you have consumed corn, you may want to avoid corn.

4. Wheat

Similar to corn, wheat may cause allergy in baby. Nursing mother should eat it with precaution.

5. Peanut

Peanuts is a very common allergen. If any of your family members has shown allergic reaction to peanut, you may consider avoiding peanut totally.