In general, a healthy balanced diet is the recommendation for a breastfeeding mother. Research shows that having a variety of different food groups has an impact on weaning the baby on to solid food when that time comes. It is believed that if your baby is exposed to a variety of fruit and vegetables through breast milk they are more likely to enjoy those foods themselves.
In general, a healthy balanced diet is the recommendation for a breastfeeding mother. Research shows that having a variety of different food groups has an impact on weaning the baby on to solid food when that time comes. It is believed that if your baby is exposed to a variety of fruit and vegetables through breast milk they are more likely to enjoy those foods themselves.
There are some foods and cooking styles which can cause some mums and babies issues while breastfeeding. For many mothers, this is a case of trial and error but there are some guidelines which you may find helpful:
- It is recommended to limit your intake of tea and coffee. Drinking larger volumes will not be harmful but it may cause your baby to be fussy and restless. There are links between caffeine and babies who do not settle with ease. You might consider replacing some of your teas and coffees with decaffeinated versions.
- Be careful when it comes to food preparation and storage as if it is managed incorrectly you may expose yourself to food poisoning. As a breastfeeding mum leftovers will be your best friend for a quick lunch or snack the next day. Leftovers should be covered, stored in the fridge and consumed within 2-3 days.
- It is fine to eat fish while you are breastfeeding but it is recommended that you are a little bit more selective about what fish you eat. Some fish products can contain high levels of Mercury which can pass into your breast milk.
- Chocolate. I know – I am sorry. That breastfeeding sweet tooth is REAL. You absolutely do not have to avoid chocolate but if you notice that when you eat it your baby has very runny nappies you may want to cut back on it a little bit.
- Dairy intake should be monitored as it can cause problems for some breastfed babies. It can cause skin issues like eczema as well as interrupted sleep. You may have to cut dairy out of your diet as a trial to see if your baby’s issues improve.
- Alcohol does pass into breast milk but according to Dr Jack Newman (he is the holy grail of breastfeeding knowledge), it is not harmful to your baby if you have an occasional drink. The real issues lie in your ability to care for your baby when under the influence of alcohol.
- Peanuts should be avoided if there is a history of nut allergies in your family as some of the allergenic compounds can be transferred to your baby through breast milk. If you consume peanuts and have noticed that your baby is wheezy and prone to rashes or hives these can be signs of an allergic reaction to nuts.
- Some mothers notice that their baby is fussy with feeding when they have eaten garlic. Your baby’s palate might not be ready for its strong flavour. In contrast, some babies nurse more when the mother has eaten food that contained a lot of garlic.
Written by Tracey Quinn staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.loveofliving.ie.
