what type of foods should be avoided while breastfeeding?

Question

i have heard things from garlic to chocolate to citrus. but i have no clue eat and not eat. help!!!!

Answer 1

Honestly, you don't have to avoid anything specifically.

Every baby and every mom is different.

My babies loved when I ate spicy, garlic food, even curries. They didn't like chocolate or broccoli in the first 2-3 months of life.
After they were about 3 months of age, there wasn't any food I ate that affected them. They are sensitive to caffeine, but again, not all babies are. Now that my second baby is 5 months, I can even enjoy a cola and it won't affect him if I don't nurse for an hour or two.

The best thing to do is to keep a little note on a piece of paper that tells what you ate and you can see if it bothers the baby.

Answer 2

That really depends on the baby. Some are good with almost anything, some struggle with very common foods. You'll have to wait and see. Same thing with formula fed babies. Everyone has a different digestive system, and until it's functioning, you won't know what effects your baby in particular. That said, common issues are often found with things that normally cause gas, for example, onion, broccoli, many green vegetables, and some grains. Some babies also have a hard time when you eat dairy. The best thing you can do is wait to see if your baby gets gas, and if so, think of the last meal you ate. Try the same things again at different times to identify which of those foods cause the gas again. Trial and error is the best method to identify what's going to happen with your kid.

Answer 3

Hi there. Honey, I will be honest with you and tell you that I spent over four years of my life breastfeeding and during that time I ate everything and anything that I wanted with NO reaction from any of my babies. I honestly believe that all the talk about what you can and cannot eat is just more propaganda to make breastfeeding mothers feel that breastfeeding is restrictive and complicated.
I have been working with breastfeeding mothers for over 20 years and in all that time I have had so few cases where what the mother ate was a problem that it is not even worth mentioning! I mean obviously if you eat very hot Indian food (for example) and you notice that your baby does not seem to want to nurse as much or if he seems to have a tummy ache afterwards, you are going to cross curry off your list of foods to eat! It is not much more complicated than that tho. I ate cabbage and broccoli and garlic and all the things that you are not supposed to eat, I never had a problem. I ate chocolate and never had a problem. I drank milk and ate cheese and yogurt. I never had a problem.
It is different for every baby and every woman. I would start out not worrying about it at all. As time goes by if you notice a reaction to a certain food, pay attention at that time. Don't worry about something that has not happened yet! Enjoy breastfeeding your baby, it is one of the greastest joys in a woman's life. It is meant to be pleasurable and joyful. It is not something that should cause you stress or worry. Very few foods are capable of causing a problem and you will soon know if they are a problem for you. I think that babies learn to enjoy the different flavors of their milk, that is one of the many, many pluses of breastmilk, it is not the same old thing every day!
Good luck honey and I am really happy that you are going to be breastfeeding your baby. I wish that all mothers did. You are giving your baby a beautiful gift, and one that only YOU can give him (or her).
You are a wonderful mother and you are giving your baby the ultimate gift of love.
Blessings
Lady Trinity~

Answer 4

It's really different for each baby. There is no set limit- and further from that- it's just when they are a newborn that you will really notice a reaction.

Our son was really bothered by onions and broccoli.
Our daughter- tomato products and caffeine. I deleted spaghetti sauce, tomato, etc. from my diet until she was 3 months old and then reintroduced- and she has been fine since. It's only in the beginning that you'll notice this. Each time I ate tomato products- or a tomato in my salad- she cried for hours after. When I skipped it- she was fine. It was only temporary though.

Now, I eat and drink whatever I want- and she is fine. She is 13 months old and doing well. Has been since about the 3rd month.

Answer 5

Most people have said not to worry about it, and that is true, if your baby is healthy. However, my daughter has reflux and trust me when I say that what I eat has a HUGE effect on her. I have had to cut out alot of things in my diet in order to have a happier baby. Reflux is horrible, she use to scream and spit up after every feeding. It is horrible to go through. If your baby is fine, you should be able to eat most foods you are use to.

Answer 6

Anything that gives you gas pains can cause them even worse in your baby. Things like broccoli, beans, etc. Sometimes the garlic will flavor the milk and the baby will refuse to drink it.

Answer 7

Whatever is a strong-tasting food, such as onions, garlic, etc. Also caffiene, (coffee, colas). Broccoli and cauliflower, cabbage, etc. can cause gas. Just a rule of thumb, whatever causes upset stomach or gas when you eat it, avoid it. Also, take care what medicines you take, they are in the breast milk, as well.

Answer 8

i concur with those that say don't even worry about.....i eat as variety of foods and haven't had problems.....except one time about 2 months ago when my husband and i made stuffed jalapeno peppers

oh my goddess they were yummy but my baby did have a couple of cranky days afterwards....and then again it could have been coincidence

Answer 9

you can eat anything really. if you were told to avoid peanuts in preg, then you should whilst feeding as well (depends on family history), other then that you can eat anything that doesnt disagree with baby.
if your baby is particually upset, it could be something uve eaten/drunk, but not all babies are affected at all.