Breastfeeding - things to avoid

surferP528 · February 2016

Hello! I browsed the breastfeeding board and couldn't find the answer to this question. Perhaps moms who are better prepared than I am or second time moms may know the answer.

After baby is born and I start breastfeeding, what types of products do I need to avoid? As far as food, I know obviously avoiding caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, etc. And that some babies have gassy reactions to various foods like dairy or broccoli. But what about beauty products. I can't seem to find a list with guidelines. Can I go back to using crest white-strips? Can I use self tanner (assuming it's not on the boob)? What about anti aging products or acne products with retinoids in them?

Am I okay to use household cleaners and things like drain-o again after baby, even if I'm breastfeeding?

Monkeybutt80 · February 2016

You may want to ask your pediatrician about these. As far as food items, I wouldn't limit anything (other than alcohol and cigs), unless your baby shows signs of negative reaction. I never had issues with acidic food (tomatoes), dairy or spicy food, so I never limited those items. I don't know about white strips or self tanner, but I have read that it's best to avoid retinoid skin care products, but I also heard that it only applies to high concentration of retinoids that are present in prescription items, not over the counter products.
The other thing to avoid are certain types of decongestant, as it can affect your supply.

alib03 · February 2016

Went with the no alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine. You can use any other products incl self tan - not on boobs but beware you may still end up patchy as skin will be different than normal and they like rubbing on shoulders and arms etc. cleaning products and skin products are fine as long as you wash your hands. No issues with makeup. Was told on antenatal course to avoid anything win scents in for the first 6 weeks however as they will find your natural smell comforting as you will smell of milk. On the flip side if they won't settle, last time I used to steal hubbies jumper and I then didn't smell like me!
Meat anything - you will know fairly quickly if it upsets them, just trial and error really.

VitaLuna · February 2016

The only food thing I avoided was alcohol, but as baby gets older, you can coordinate one drink into your feeding schedule (or pump and dump if you're away from baby). I just never did. My LO didn't like spicy food in the beginning, but those are things you'll learn with trial and error.

I avoided caffeine in the beginning, but slowly added it back in, drinking it as she was nursing or immediately after.

As for skin care, ask your pedi. Your body absorbs what's on your skin, so I personally would never use self tanner, retinoids, etc. while breastfeeding... But that may be more personal preference/precautions than what the "official" recommendation is.

Like pregnancy, BF is such a short period of your entire life, so I personally think it's manageable and important to do the best you can for your body/baby during that period.

g8trkim · February 2016

You can still have alcohol and caffeine, just in moderation. My kids never had a dairy issue but every baby is different. I had to avoid onions and broccoli.

SgtLou2 · February 2016

I basically followed the same rules as pregnancy (except alcohol). Once baby's feedings were more than 2.5 hours apart, I added alcohol (I.e. A beer or glass of wine) back into my life. It takes alcohol about 2 hours to metabolize (so I read), so I would drink a glass while feeding DD and then it would be through my system before the next feeding (I only did this at home). But otherwise, normal dietary routine unless baby is having issues and the pediatricians recommend that you make a change. I would still avoid certain meds (esp decongestants at the beginning). I always just checked with the pediatricians before I changed my diet or took anything. And I always told my docs that I was BFing before they prescribed anything for me. Check out this website for great advice: www.kellymom.com

A&Lmommy · February 2016

I did trial and error with my first but she was sensitive to too much citrus, diary, and peanuts. Turned out that she had allergies but I was able to integrate them back into my diet over time while nursing, she just couldn't eat them directly. If you're not too sure, just watch how your baby reacts. If they are fussy, gassy or their poo diapers change, start experimenting with your diet.

moomee · February 2016

Kellymom.com is a great breastfeeding resource site!!!

thoughtfulmommy · February 2016

I didn't really avoid any foods at the beginning with DS. He had some issues when I ate cauliflower and garlic so I avoided them for the first few months. I also still drank caffeine and later on, alcohol.

Latina211508 · February 2016

I did not avoid any food or caffeine. I had alcohol in moderation. But it does depends on your baby.

cMichelle0423 · February 2016

There's not really anything to avoid as far as food or drinks go. Everything is okay in moderation. Even smoking while bfing is considered healthier than giving baby formula (not that there's anything wrong with formula. I gave my oldest formula after 4 months of nursing so I see no shame in it, just making a point). Like pp's said, it depends on your baby. I had to cut out all dairy for the first 3-4 months because that upset my LO's tummy and caused him to spit up a lot. But then after about 4 months he was fine with me eating dairy again.

As for drinking alcohol and pumping/dumping, studies show that the amount of alcohol that reaches your milk, is very minimal. There's more alcohol in a glass of apple juice than in your breast milk after a couple drinks. No need to pump and dump. But obviously do what you're comfortable with.

g8trkim · February 2016

@cMichelle0423 your comment is a bit misleading. I understand what you're getting at... that it's better to stick with breastfeeding even if you still smoke because the baby will get immunities that they can't get from formula. However, secondhand smoke is still a huge risk to newborns so moms who smoke need to be really careful about exposure because babies can get asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc. Just wanted to add that.

smushi · February 2016

Lurking from March, what @g8trkimsaid. Baby can get contact secondhand smoke from being near smoker's clothes (and skin). I couldn't say as far as skin care, but I do remember with my first that I avoided things like lots of onions or cabbage. Those both made LO very gassy and upset.

A&Lmommy · February 2016

Oh I forgot to mention, stay away from peppermint. It wont make baby fussy or anything but if you drink peppermint tea or use the essential oils, it can reduce your supply. I've even heard of Altiods on a reg basis having an effect. Some women are more sensitive than others.

RissKay · February 2016

Yeaaaaah, @cMichelle0423, I wouldn't really go around saying that. What @g8trkim said: it's misleading (unless you genuinely mean that Breastmilk while smoking is better than formula while not smoking... then we've got another problem.

Honestly, I didn't avoid food, caffeine or beauty products. I don't typically bleach things, so that wasn't a huge issue, and if I did I just didn't stick around the smell long. I've honestly never really heard of avoiding any cleaning products or anything as long as you aren't, like, sitting in them.

There is still a list of medications you should avoid, like antihistamines, which can impact your supply. Basically any medication (also EO: this is why peppermint is avoided) that dries any congestion, etc, up, is something you want to not take, as well as any other meds the OB lists.

AdventureMama · February 2016

FYI, you can drink while breastfeeding and as long as you're doing so in moderation, there's no need to pump and dump or even to time your drinks all that carefully. Rule of thumb is if you're okay to drive, you're okay to breastfeed. Studies show a few drinks will not make their way into your breast milk.

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