Foods to avoid while breastfeeding

With all of the advances in the medical field, the topic of foods to avoid while breastfeeding has never been more interesting.  And at Luna Lullaby, we don’t just sell products like our breastfeeding pillows, we also strive to help new parents learn more about caring for their children.

Most people are aware that when a mother is breastfeeding, her breast milk is affected by what she eats and does not eat. However, most people do not understand how the breast milk will be affected, which is why one of the most common questions from women who are getting ready to start breastfeeding what they should not eat during this time.

Luckily, it is pretty simple to figure out what you should eat once you know a few basic rules.

The first issue that mothers who are beginning to breastfeed should recognize is how the things that you eat affect your breast milk and your baby. Some of the spices and chemicals from your meals will get into the breast milk you feed your infant, but for the most part, the food you eat will not dramatically change the flavor, consistency, or quantity of breast milk that you produce.

While it is possible for some of the spices from your dinner to affect the flavor of your breast milk, this is not necessarily a reason to avoid spicy food entirely. For some infants, this can increase the appeal of the breast milk, or not affect them at all. However, if you notice that your baby is fussier after these feedings, you may choose to avoid spicy foods during this period.

The most important things to avoid when you are breastfeeding are chemicals, because the small molecules can make their way into your breast milk and can adversely affect your infant. Harmful chemicals can be found in a variety of foods, drinks, medicines, and nutritional supplements, so it is important to discuss any questions you have with your doctor.

Some common items to avoid that may contain harmful chemicals include:

• Alcohol. The same rules apply while breastfeeding that you followed while pregnant when it comes to adult beverages.
• Fish high in mercury, including shark, tuna, swordfish, and halibut. Mercury can adversely affect development in infants, so it’s best to stay away from these foods while breastfeeding as well a while pregnant.
• Coffee, tea, and soft drinks. Caffeine is a stimulant that is difficult for an infant’s system to process, so avoid foods and drinks that contain caffeine.
• Diet soft drinks. There is conflicting research about the harmfulness of artificial sweeteners, but a good rule of thumb is to avoid them while you are breastfeeding.
• Nutritional supplements. The supplement industry is not regulated by the FDA, so while it is important to get enough vitamins and minerals while you are pregnant and breastfeeding, your best bet is to get them from fruits and vegetables rather than in a pill.

While these tips are a great place to start when deciding what NOT to eat while you are breastfeeding, in reality, you have a lot of flexibility. As long as you are eating a sufficient amount and avoiding harmful substances, your body should produce nutritious milk for your infant.

However, if you have any questions, health issues or dietary restrictions, make sure to consult with your doctor or nutritionist before starting on any type of diet changes.