The flavours in your food spice up the amniotic fluid when you were pregnant, so chances are your baby is already used to the kind of food you eat — be it curry, garlicky pasta or extra-buttery chicken. Whatever you eat while breastfeeding will also find its way to your baby. For this reason, mixing it up food-wise when breastfeeding may be a good way to accustom your kid to various types of food early on. But as flavours are transmitted, so are medicines, toxins and stimulants, meaning some caution is in order. Doctors say the properties of gassy or acidic foods are sometimes passed on through your breast milk and can cause stomach troubles in baby. But experts say you shouldn’t start eliminating foods at random as soon as you suspect allergies or intolerance. As for coffee and alcohol: excessive amounts of espresso will keep your baby wired when you might prefer she sleep. More than one glass of wine and you’ll be passing on alcohol to your baby. As in pregnancy, if you’re not eating well while breastfeeding, you’ll suffer from undernourishment long before your baby does.
BabyCenter Australia®
“Should I Avoid Any Foods Or Drinks While Breastfeeding?”
“Most breastfeeding mothers can eat and drink what they like. In a few cases, some babies seem to react with symptoms such as colic, fussiness, or excessive crying to foods in the mother’s diet… If your baby seems to react, then try several days without the food you suspect, and then try it again. Note any changes. ” …read the full article
ACT Government Health
“Good Nutrition While Breastfeeding?”
“Some parts of the foods we eat can be transferred into breast milk. However, there is no conclusive scientific evidence that specific foods should routinely be avoided because they may upset a baby.” …read the full article
British Government Recommendations
“Breastfeeding Your Baby”
“Most women’s bodies are very efficient at making breast milk — which provides all the nutrients a baby needs for healthy development in the first months of life — so you don’t need to eat for two. But, just like any other time, it’s important for you and your baby that you eat a healthy balanced diet.” …read the full article
Raising Children Network
“New Parents: Eating and Drinking”
“There are many myths about foods that breastfeeding mothers should not eat for fear of upsetting the baby. Some mothers find that if they eat a lot of rich or spicy foods, or particular fruits or vegetables, their babies may be upset. Others find they can eat anything. So it is a matter of trial and error.” …read the full article
Australian Breastfeeding Association
“Do I Have To Eat or Drink Particular Foods”
“There are no magic foods which will increase the milk supply – a sensible balanced diet is the key. It is a good idea to avoid those foods which upset you or to which other family members are allergic. ” …read the full article
