Breast milk is the best food for your baby. Because some products can change its taste, here’s what not to eat when you’re breastfeeding.
There is no need to follow a special diet when you are breastfeeding, but your menu must be nutritionally balanced. This means that you must eat as many fruits as possible, preferably in season, and vegetables. But the daily menu must also include whole grains, such as oats, brown rice and bread labeled whole. New mothers also need lean proteins (chicken, eggs, lentils and beef) and healthy fats, which can be found in olive oil, nuts, seeds, avocados and fish (salmon or mackerel). Because it can happen that from time to time the baby is agitated at the breast or has gas after consuming certain products, it would be best to avoid them for a few days.
Foods rich in caffeine
Most breastfeeding mothers can consume caffeine in moderation (no more than 200-300 milligrams per day or about 2-3 cups of coffee). Although there is no evidence to show that a large amount of caffeine reduces the flow of milk, it is good to watch how the baby reacts after consuming coffee. If he is active, alert or agitated, he can be overstimulated by caffeine. Children whose mothers avoided caffeine completely during pregnancy seem to react more to caffeine when it is part of the mother’s diet again. Caffeine is also present in teas such as green, matcha, black and oolong, medicines (such as those for migraines), chocolate, certain herbal products and supplements (containing guarana/and cola) and certain energy drinks.
Fish contaminated with mercury
Fish is an important source of nutrients, from protein to fatty acids, so don’t avoid all fish, but only those that are known to be contaminated with a large amount of mercury. Among them are: shark, albacore tuna, swordfish and mackerel.
Artificial sweeteners
There is little research on the impact artificial sweeteners have on breastfeeding. Therefore, it is recommended that breastfeeding women use artificial sweeteners with caution, including saccharin, sucralose, aspartame, etc. Instead, I can opt for 100% pure honey and maple syrup, and cane sugar, in moderation.
Alcohol
The American Academy of Pediatrics says that breastfeeding women should limit alcohol consumption and that
it should take place after 2 hours after ingesting the drink. While current research shows that the administration of 1-2 occasional drinks does not seem to harm the child, daily alcohol consumption decreases the milk ejection reflex and may lead to delays in the development of the baby’s motor skills.
