What foods to avoid while breastfeeding?

Question

I am wondering what foods you are supposed to avoid while beastfeeding. I have heard several different things, so I am really wanting to hear personal experiences with it, not just something you've read somewhere.

For example, I've heard to avoid chocolate. Other people said chocolate won't hurt. I ate chocolate cake last night, and my baby was fussy all day. Has anyone else figured out things that they couldn't eat while breastfeeding?

Answer 1

It all depends on the baby. The main ones are chocolate, caffeine, leafy green vegetables and alcohol. Two of my babies were very affected by broccoli, cabbage and stone fruit. The other two i could have ate anything!!!! I think it is a matter of trial and error. You will usually be able to back track the 24hour period to see if what you have eaten is unsettling your babe. Remember though all newborns have one unsettled feed a day and an unsettled day a week up to about 8 wks, which may or may not be related to what you have eaten.

Answer 2

I ate whatever I wanted to. The only difference is that I ate certain things in moderation such as food that have caffeine in it. Some babies are more susceptible to having problems with certain foods. Don't cut anything out of your diet just because someone said so. Experiment and find out what is okay and what isn't. Your baby will let you know by either rejecting the breast, being fussy or very gassy.

Answer 3

I ate EVERYTHING while breastfeeding, including spicy food, coffee and even a sip of alcohol a couple of times. my in-laws were convincing me that my baby had a colic problem because of my unhealthy diet. I switched to a very healthy diet for a week, only steamed or boiled food, no coffee, no carbonated drinks and all that stuff... and my baby still had the same problem. No difference at all! It seemed my diet didn't affect him much.
I went to the doctor and asked what foods I have to avoid, and she said - NOTHING, eat everything you used to normally, and your baby will adjust! The only thing is not to change your diet completely from the one which you used to have while pregnant - otherwise your milk will be of different, unknown taste for your baby.

In my native country they are too cautious about the food and all, basically, too paranoid. But I had my baby in Thailand, and am still here - and they are really cool about diet. And my baby is fine! Of course, if you indulge in some huge quantity of really unhealthy food, it's going to affect your baby. Otherwise, relax and enjoy. Unless your baby is too sensitive and allergic to something, he/she will be fine. Stop worrying.

Answer 4

I would only avoid foods that your baby shows a reaction to.
Was it milk chocolate? I would try to rule out dairy sensitivity if so, its pretty common.

In my birth prep class we were given a list of foods to add slowly to our diet to check for reactions, but i got tired of it pretty quick and ate what people cooked for me and had no problems.

I did give up coffee for several months, until i learned that my baby was just never going to bother to sleep anyway!-) lol!
I am vegan and neither of my children have ever shown any sensitivities to any foods i ate. this included lots of beans, broccoli, and other legumes. plus lots of dark chocolate, as he was born right before Valentines day.

There is no need to avoid spicy foods (otherwise those babies in Thailand and Mexicao and anyplace else where spicy food is normal wouldn't thrive would they?-)

Answer 5

My son is sensetive to dairy. We figured it out really late (5 mo) and hes now 14 months and i can still tell when ive had too much (he doesnt get any at all). He gets really congested when I have dairy.

In the begining he was also sensetive to tomatoes and shellfish. And he would break out in a rash when i had strawberries. Ive never given him strawberries, but he also can't tollerate blueberries. (bad sunburn-type diaper rash and frequent poops) and he gets diarhea with citrus (although i can have as much citrus as i want).

Sooooo... you really have to just experiment. Dairy is the most common allergy. Soy is next, followed by wheat, eggs, tomatoes and shellfish. But really anything can upset them when theyre teenytiny. Not all babies though... some do fine with anything mom eats.

Answer 6

Let me guess, it is your first child. First, congratulations. Second, relax and enjoy "the best period of your life". I mean it. As an earlier poster said, you can stay off "gassy foods" such as broccoli, beans, chocolate, etc. If your child doesn't seem colicky, add some of these very healthful gassy foods and withdraw if there are negative reactions. (My first was colicky and that was not fun). Just relax and enjoy.

Answer 7

Broccoli, beans, anything that makes you gassy. Also carbonated beverages. I just wanted to add, mylicon baby gas drops work wonders!!! The store brands are the same thing only cheaper. I have used them with all 3 of my babies!

Answer 8

Personally i reccommend avoiding anything with caffeine in it, it kept my baby awake and grumpy. I couldn't eat anything with strong spices or garlic as it caused bad gas for my daughter, and onions were also bad.

Answer 9

Avoid spicy foods
chillys
oils
have protein rich foods
milk
fish
prawn
eggs
dates
and all seasonal fruitssssssss

Answer 10

hi, it really depends on the baby, my first i couldnt eat steak and my second i couldnt eat tuna, but everything you eat goes to your baby, but if you take note on how your baby reacts to what you eat than you will get to know what to eat and what not to eat, good luck and maybe your GP can help.