Foods to avoid when breastfeeding
You may have heard that you should avoid certain foods if you’re breastfeeding because they are believed to cause colicky symptoms in their babies. However, there is actually no consistent evidence that supports claims linking the mother’s diet to colic in babies. Some foods have also been suggested to cause unsettledness or excessive windiness in a breastfeeding baby. So before we get too confused, let us take a look at the facts!
- There is very little evidence to suggest that certain foods can cause loose stools or colic in babies and should be avoided by breastfeeding mothers.
- If you still think that some foods may be causing problems for your baby, they can be avoided and simply re-introduced once your baby is a few months older. However, if you decide to do this, make sure you still include a range of foods in order to get an overall nutritious diet. Look at all likely causes of the baby’s unsettledness prior to making changes and ask your doctor to refer you to a dietitian who will help you to ensure you have a balanced diet without the problematic foods.
- Caffeine is known to pass into breast milk, and can disrupt your baby’s sleeping patterns, so it’s best to avoid large amounts of tea, coffee and cola drinks. Try to limit the number of caffeine drinks when breastfeeding
- Eat in moderation! Many of the rules regarding what you should and shouldn't eat when breastfeeding are based on old wives tales rather than scientific data. Avoid alcoholic beverages when breastfeeding, especially during the first six to eight weeks when you and your baby are establishing a pattern.
Keep these basic guidelines in mind to help ensure that your baby is safe and well fed and enjoying every feed to its full!