What can I eat when breastfeeding?

When it comes to foods to avoid, breastfeeding is not nearly so restrictive as pregnancy. However, there are a few foods and drinks you must be careful of.

Spicy foods

Some parents find that strong-flavoured or spicy foods can affect their baby’s acceptance of their milk, or have an impact on the baby’s digestive system – for example, making them gassy, or more explosive than usual! You don’t have to avoid these foods, but if you notice your baby is more uncomfortable than usual, it might be worth keeping track of how your baby reacts to your diet and consider adjusting accordingly.

Herbs

Herbal remedies are largely unresearched – so whether they claim to reduce your milk supply or increase it, tread very carefully. In fact, even if the herbal remedy makes no mention of milk supply at all – for example, those ‘herbal teas’ sold as weight loss solutions, be cautious and consult your GP before adding them to your diet. In all likelihood, these herbal remedies will not have been tested on pregnant and breastfeeding women, so their impact is unknown and the results unproven.

Allergens, such as nuts or dairy, should only be avoided if you or your baby are allergic to them. You can’t prevent your baby from developing a nut allergy, for example, simply by not eating peanuts while you’re pregnant and breastfeeding. However, if you have a family history of food allergies or other allergic conditions, then your baby may be at higher risk of developing an allergy, and you may wish to discuss this further with your GP, midwife or health visitor.

Presuming that isn’t the case, peanuts, or foods containing peanuts, such as peanut butter, can be included as part of a healthy, varied diet while breastfeeding. As can all the other allergens out there.

Cows’ milk allergy (CMA)

Cows’ milk allergy is one of the most common childhood food allergies. If your child is allergic to cows’ milk and you are breastfeeding, you may be advised to eliminate dairy from your diet.

How will I know if my child is allergic to dairy? (h4)

There are various symptoms of CMA, including skin reactions, swelling, sickness, diarrhoea or constipation, eczema and a runny or blocked nose. Lactose intolerance has similar symptoms. Both the allergy and the intolerance may only be temporary but can cause great discomfort, so it is worth trying to alleviate the symptoms by eliminating dairy from your baby’s diet – and from your diet while breastfeeding. As a first port of call, however, always speak to your healthcare professional. They can advise you on the best course of action.

As with the herbs, so with the rest of the food groups. Apply critical thinking when it comes to foods or recipes that claim to increase your milk supply. These claims are largely unproven. The best thing you can do to maintain or increase milk production is eat a well-balanced diet, keep your fluid intake up and feed on demand – especially while you’re establishing breastfeeding. Here is a quick recap of what makes a healthy, balanced diet.