There are plenty of old wive’s tales about which foods should be avoided when breastfeeding. But the truth is, most things in moderation are just fine.
After all, some of the foods we are told to avoid (such as onion or garlic) are a main staple of the diet of some women from other parts of the world.
The main thing to note is that every woman and every baby is different.
If you are noticing that your baby seems gassy or upset after a feed instead of full and content, you might decide to take a look at your diet to remedy things.
Of course, you should always speak with your doctor or baby health care nurse if you are worried about your baby as there may be issues that will not be remedied with food (such as issues with tongue tie or a problem with the way they latch to the breast).
1. Alcohol
When you drink, the alcohol passes through your breastmilk to your baby. If you can’t avoid it all together, try having a small drink just after a feed so that your body has a chance to metabolise the alcohol before you need to feed again.
Try instead: sparkling water with a splash of elderflower cordial or a squeeze of fresh lime.
2. Onions and garlic
Some mothers report that strong flavours such as onions, chilli, garlic or spices can cause tummy upsets in babies as the flavour of the breastmilk changes. You can always try cutting out these strong flavours and see if you notice that you baby is more settled.
Try instead: flavour your meals with fresh herbs instead.
3. Caffeine
Nobody knows what being tired feels like more than a new mum. But pumping your body with too much caffeine can affect your milk supply and the caffeine itself can be passed on to your little one (and let’s face it, the last thing a newborn needs is a stimulant to keep them awake!).
Try instead: caffeine free herbal teas and drinks can help curb your caffeine cravings. Why not try dandelion root tea which is a caffeine free coffee alternative. Also, remember that our Healthy Mummy Smoothies don’t contain any caffeine.
Broccoli, beans and cabbage
Some mothers also report that certain veggies and legumes that can make them a little gassy can cause tummy upset in their babies.
This includes vegetables like asparagus, green beans, cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts; and legumes such as chickpeas, kidney beans and lentils.
Try instead: Again, try reducing your intake and see if you notice a difference. You definitely don’t want to reduce your vegetable intake as it’s so good for you – so try to use alternative veggies instead.
4. Supplements
Some mums might decide to self-diagnose some issues such as low iron or low calcium and take some vitamins. It’s always best to speak to a doctor or the pharmacist and let them know you are breastfeeding, so that they can give you their expert advice on what is and isn’t safe to take.
Some supposed ‘weight loss shakes’ contain lots of additives, caffeine and chemicals that would be passed through to your baby through your milk.
Try instead: That’s why we love the Healthy Mummy Smoothies – they are 100% breastfeeding safe (you can read more on why our smoothies are different here).
5. Dairy, nuts, eggs
If you have allergies in your family you might be concerned that eating certain foods could be harmful to your baby. Speak to your doctor and discuss a plan to manage your concerns. Most likely they would suggest cutting out certain foods and see if you notice a difference, but as each person is different you would need to work out what is right for you with the advice of a professional.
6. Chocolate
The combination of sugar, fat and caffeine sure can make you feel good but it’s not ideal to overdo it when you are breastfeeding.
Try instead: make your own healthy sweet treats such as these bliss balls that have the added benefit of potentially boosting your milk supply. Recipe here.
If you’re a breastfeeding mother who is keen to lose baby weight, we’ve got you covered. At Lose Baby Weight we believe that breastfeeding and weight loss can go hand in hand, which is why we have created the 28 Day Breastfeeding Friendly Diet & Exercise Plan and have ensured that our weight loss plans are safe for breastfeeding mums.
If you’d love to recipe our FREE MILK BOOSTING recipe ebook, then just pop your details in below and it will be in your inbox within minutes.
Our Healthy Mummy Smoothies are also safe for breastfeeding mums, 96% sugar free, fructose free and actually contain natural galactogogues. You can see the full ingredient list here .