planning ahead: breastfeeding question:

P0upette · May 2011

this is probably a dumb question but I am confused about all I read: I know the obvious foods to avoid while BF (alcohol, caffein) but should I avoid pretty much all I had to while pregnant? No soft cheeses, deli meats, sushi?

( the only thing I have been craving though-out this pregnancy is a greek salad. I need to mentally prepare myself if it's going to be a few more months before I can ahve one) thanks ladies

ilovebabyblue · May 2011

I know this wasn't your question but you can have feta cheese as long as it's pasteurized. Most cheeses made in the U.S. are pasteurized and it will say it's made with pasteurized milk under the ingredients. It's usually only those expensive imported cheeses in that special case by the deli that you need to watch out for.

Jelliebean1982 · May 2011

You can have caffeine and alcohol while BFing. There's really not much in regards to food that you need to avoid. A dark beer like a Guiness can actually do wonders for your supply. You just never want to BF while tipsy or drunk. The best way to drink and to BF is to drink while BFing or shortly after a feeding so that it's out of your system by the time your baby wants to nurse again. Here's a great link that might answer some of the questions you have: https://www.kellymom.com/health/lifestyle/index.html

I drank coffee all throughout my last pregnancy and while BFing. My kid started STTN 8 hours at 5 weeks too...so it didn't have any effect on her sleep. The only thing I do notice is that my kid thinks the taste of coffee is great. Stick out tongue

Oh, and go ahead and eat that Greek salad. Most cheese sold in the US are pasturized, so there's not a risk of listeria. Just check the label on the cheese if you're concerned.

MamaToK · May 2011

It's not as strict while you are breastfeeding. You need to eat a well balanced diet (which I don't do, and my baby and milk supply are fine). I avoid caffeine and alcohol, but you can still drink while BFing, you just need to time it so it won't be in your system when it's time to feed again (I find it easier just to avoid it all together)

I should mention that I avoid caffeine just because I decided to stop drinking it. I drank it like crazy when I was pregnant and my baby is just fine.

forensicmama · May 2011

You can basically eat whatever you want while breastfeeding. Our bodies are fabulous filters. You can even drink alcohol in limited amounts (more information here at the Le Leche League site: https://www.llli.org/faq/alcohol.html I'm not a drinker myself, though). Caffeine can be drunk as well, just don't go drinking a 2-Liter of Mt. Dew, obviously. As far as eating everything else, you should be fine. Medications are the main thing you should watch while breastfeeding. Always check to see if what you're taking is safe for breastfeeding.

ETA: Also keep taking a prenatal or a multivitamin while breastfeeding and drink LOTS of water. Eating a balanced diet is also important. Baby will essentially be fine no matter if mom follows these guidelines, but mom won't! Calcium, vitamins, minerals and fat have to come somewhere, right? Taking a multivitamin, drinking lots of water and eating right will keep both mom and baby healthy. Also, dieting excessively can decrease a woman's supply, so that's another reason to eat right.

Mrs_M · May 2011

I BFd my DD for 19 months. I ate everything I wanted in moderation. I even had beer (helped with supply too), of course after the first feeding. I was told the only things not to eat while BFing was Tuna (ahi) seared because of the mercury content, and some of those other mercury items. I never had an issue and baby was perfectly fine. Oh Nuts was one not to eat either or honey.

MamaToK · May 2011

Mrs_M:
I BFd my DD for 19 months. I ate everything I wanted in moderation. I even had beer (helped with supply too), of course after the first feeding. I was told the only things not to eat while BFing was Tuna (ahi) seared because of the mercury content, and some of those other mercury items. I never had an issue and baby was perfectly fine. Oh Nuts was one not to eat either or honey.

That's interesting, I've never heard that. Do you know what the reasoning is behind that?

mamanduchess · May 2011

You don't need to avoid sushi, deli meat, or soft cheese once you've had the baby. You may not need to avoid caffeine if your baby tolerates it (The American Academy of Pediatrics has approved the use of caffine in breastfeeding women: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/breastfeeding/Pages/Things-to-Avoid-When-Breastfeeding.aspx).

Listeria (a nasty little bacteria) is the reason you're avoiding the soft cheese and deli meats. Listeria infection is more common in pregnant than non pregnant women. You won't be sharing a blood supply after your little one is born, so you don't have the same risk of sharing an infection with the baby. Don't be shy about asking your OB or pediatrician these questions. They want to give you good answers and ease your mind (or it's time to find a new doc). Your OB may even give you the OK for a greek salad if you can be sure that the cheese is pasturized.

Mrs_M · May 2011

MamaToK:
Mrs_M:
I BFd my DD for 19 months. I ate everything I wanted in moderation. I even had beer (helped with supply too), of course after the first feeding. I was told the only things not to eat while BFing was Tuna (ahi) seared because of the mercury content, and some of those other mercury items. I never had an issue and baby was perfectly fine. Oh Nuts was one not to eat either or honey.
That's interesting, I've never heard that. Do you know what the reasoning is behind that?

The nut thing was something my lactation consultant and MD told me, which I thought was odd, but I didn't take a chance. It has something to do with causing irritation/allergies to the little one. I am not a huge fan of nuts so it didn't matter to me.

hannahruth32 · May 2011

I just wanted to pass on that it's okay to eat spaghetti and lasagna, however, you may find some foods that irritate babies tummy or make them more fussy. It may depend on how spicy the sauce is with pasta dishes. I didn't eat Mexican food cause it gave my son tummy aches. You will notice if baby is more fussy there may be a couple of foods to avoid. Some babies are more sensitive than others.

srhartline · May 2011

When I was BF my son I could not eat broccoli. It gave him terrible gas pains. I never gave it a thought until my mother was holding him on her lap and could feel it rumbling around and he was a bit fussy. She asked what I had for dinner the night before when I said broccoli, she said to stop eating it. Once I did he was fine.

kell8807 · May 2011

There isn't really anything you can't eat. Some doctors say not to eat nuts or honey, but that is to help avoid a food allergy in your LO. If you & your SO don't have any history of food allergies, than they say it's ok to eat those items. However, you may find that certain food give your LO gas or upset their tummies. It's just a trial & error thing until then. For me, it was onions & mushrooms that always upset DD#1.

abrazz · May 2011

The honey thing is just raw honey I think. Anywho, the only thing I would worry about are meds that you would take. I drank while BFing as well and just did it like other's have said. Your LO may have some issues with things you eat and that it just trial and error. DD could not tolerate certain kinds of seasonings so I had to eat extremely bland food for a few months or she got terrible gas, but other than that I didn't have restrictions.

P0upette · May 2011

this made my day

teshy1 · May 2011

I've noticed when I eat broccoli or beans that DD tends to get gassy, so I limit these. I've also avoided chocolate for awhile now because I also noticed DD would get fussy after I'd indulge my chocolate craving. If I'm going to have an alcoholic drink, I wait until just after I've given her her last feeding before bed; she usually sleeps 5-7 hours before her next feeding.

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