Info about breastfeeding?

Question

What really affects breast milk? I went to one breastfeeding class and the teacher told us caffein (to certain piont, you can have cup of tea or coffee a day), other then that almost nothing. But I still know a lot of people who belive that everything goes into a breastmilk so you have to watch really closely what you eat (like nothing spicy, what makes you bloated)..... Does anyone really know? And how about other things - alcohol, drugs, medications, smoking....?? I also heard that drinking like one beer a day makes you produce more milk...??

Answer 1

I was told by the lactation counselor that the only known thing that you eat that can pass to the milk are alcohol if you have a lot and dairy. She suggests moms go off dairy for awhile if their babies are fussy and gassy--I guess the proteins pass through and some babies can't process them. I've heard the stories about spicy/gassy veggies or foods but I've never modified anything I ate and never saw a problem with my kiddos.

One thing to avoid, especially in the beginning is any kind of medicine that would dry you out such as an antihistamine or decongestant. It dries up your runny nose and your milk at the same time! Most over the counter medication is OK while breastfeeding but make sure you ask about prescribed medicines. Some antibiotics will dry out your milk as well.

Answer 2

You can eat and drink whatever you want. Some things may change how your baby feels and that's just getting know what makes that happen With alcohol, you can drink it, alcohol leaves breastmilk the same way it leaves your blood. If you do drink make sure the next day you pump (throw it away) and have extra to give baby a bottle. It's the yeast in beer that helps produce more milk. You can also go to a health store and get some brewers yeast. I smoke and I breast feed and it doesn't seem to bother him what so ever. Good luck on breastfeeding!

Answer 3

Everything on Moderation. ( well not alcohol or smokes. If you would like to indulge in a beer or a glass of wine, nurse your baby first. Smoking causes nicotene etc to enter you breastmilk and your baby gets it too )
Nursing Mammas in India are just fine, and their diet is predominantly spicy.
What you eat during pregnancy is a fine diet. Your baby is already used to it at this point.
Now, that said, sometimes there are exceptions, but, you need not enter your nursing relationship with pre-set boundaries.
Eat as you have been and watch baby for sign of dietary intolerance, like excessive green frothy poops, really bad diaper rashes, excessive gassiness etc. The worst offenders in a nursing mother diet are, anything dairy/cruciferous veggies/acidic foods. But still, don't avoid just out of fear of reaction. I know of more mothers that "didn't" need to alter their diets while nursing.
Even still, most of those moms that had too only altered their diets for a short time and then they re-introduced the offending foods and were fine.
There is also a pretty set way of determing offensive foods, and unless you try the "elimination" diet religiously, you won't really know for sure.
For myself, I eat everything, spicy or not, always have. I drink 2-3 coffees a day. I'm fine, my kids are all fine. I also have the occaisional glass of wine or a beer, nothing excessive. I believe the main factor behind the alcohol theory is that being buzzed or drunk can affect your mothering instincts. Way too risky IMO.

Good Luck !

Answer 4

Drink lots of water and eat lots more protein when you are nursing. If I didn't drink water, my lips and sometimes the skin on my face would feel extremely dry and even peel. Everything you eat or drink goes into your breastmilk. Limit caffeine as much as possible. Do not take any drugs, medications, alcohol or anything that is not food that you were not allowed to take while pregnant. Making sure that your newborn is latched on correctly and drinking, is the only thing that will get you to produce more milk.

Answer 5

My midwife told me that eating spicy food is fine, because whilst it does go into your milk, it gives it a slight flavour, and it makes the baby more accustomed to different tastes which will stand him/her in good stead when it comes to introducing foods later.
As for alcohol, that's a no-no, and the smoking is in question- I think that that should be avoided too, although there are a lot of breastfeeding women who smoke.
All you can really do is keep an eye on what you eat to see if there is a reaction in the baby.

Answer 6

If you are concerned then it is best to ask your doctor. I have heard everything goes into breast milk and that you should never drink alcohol while breastfeeding. I know they are concerned with which medications you take when you breastfeed, so it would be better to be safe than sorry. Good luck to you.

Answer 7

alcohol and most medications go into the breast milk. Spicy foods, too - but at the worst, spicy foods will upset your baby's tummy, not cause brain damage (like alcohol will).

www.lalecheleague.org has loads of information on breastfeeding. They are "the breast feeding authority".

Answer 8

Ask your doctor about drinking alcohol in moderation while breastfeeding, ask the doctor about any medications you might be taking but don't smoke around your baby. It's not healthy for babies to be exposed to second hand smoke. Breastfeeding is a good choice for you and your baby. Good luck.

Answer 9

Breast milk is produced by the hormone human placental lactogen. The expulsion of milk is triggered once the baby started sucking, stimulating the release of oxytocin (let-down reflex). Always drink alot of water, and yes avoid alcohol, or ciggarettes, it only not harm yourself, but the baby as well. Eat nutritious foods, esp, green and leafy foods and lots of protein as well..

Answer 10

drinking dosent make you produce more milk, and if you are dirnking, smoking or doing drugs then you should not be brestfeedng. also spicy foods fresh vegies (if you eat alot of them) can give your baby gas and can be uncofterble on his/her tummy, caffein is ok as long as you dont over do it, i drank 3 to 4 cups of coffe a day when i was brestfeeding, and my kid was fine.