by Bobby Coles

Created on: November 06, 2009   Last Updated: January 03, 2012

Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding mothers are constantly having to be cognizant of the substances that they are putting into their bodies. The foods that go into the mother work their way into the breast milk, and therefore the baby gets whatever it is that the mother had. This is the same philosophy as the pregnant mother avoiding certain substances in order to protect the baby.

There are many foods that should be avoided while breastfeeding, some because of the adverse effects on the baby, and others because they may cause gas pains in your baby. Some of the biggest culprits of gas pains in breastfed babies are vegetables, which many new mothers are desperately trying to have in order to be healthy, and to try and lose some post baby weight. Broccoli, Cabbage, and Beans tend to give babies gas pains, so they should either be avoided, or taken in moderation immediately after a feeding, so that they have a chance to work through the mother's digestive system.

Garlic, chocolate, citrus fruits, and onions are also foods that cause discomfort for babies, and are foods that should be avoided while you are breastfeeding. Moderation is the key to all foods, whether or not you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or just being careful about what you eat. Caffeine is a favourite substance of many, and a breastfeeding mother is often awake numerous times during the course of an evening, being deprived of sleep. This may lead the mother to have a stronger desire to engage in a morning cup of coffee, but it may not be beneficial to the baby.

Regular use of caffeine related products, such as coffee, tea, chocolate, and colas can cause hyperactivity, irritability, and wakefulness in babies. None of these are things breastfeeding mothers wish for their babies, so caffeine should be cut down if not avoided altogether. There are caffeine-free alternatives available, which may be a better fit for some breastfeeding mothers than avoidance.

Many herbal products should be avoided as well, as some herbal products can be rather harmful to babies. Many herbal products are natural, but many of them contain pharmacologically active substances that may not sit well with your breastfed baby. You should exercise caution in regards to herbal products.

Alcohol does not necessarily have to be avoided during the breastfeeding months, but it should be done in moderation. A good rule of thumb is to wait two hours per drink consumed to breastfeed a baby, otherwise the breast milk may contain some alcohol that will go right into your baby.

Smoking and drug use should be avoided altogether, due to their possible side effects on babies. Breastfeeding mothers should use their best judgement when supplying their babies with breast milk, and should also keep an eye on reactions of any sort, and try to figure out what other foods or substances may not be sitting well with their babies.

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