by Kasondra Morin

Created on: March 16, 2010   Last Updated: March 18, 2010

There are many foods that affect your milk while breastfeeding. Some foods may make your milk upsetting for your baby, some may increase your supply, and others can decrease your supply. A new mom needs to know that everything she eats and drinks makes it into her breastmilk and plan accordingly.

You may have been there. Your sitting up, probably late at night, comforting a screaming newborn. They usually call it colic, but you think of it as your personal anguish. You've tried everything. No position seems to help. You just fed and burped your baby. You're at a loss and post partum hormones are making the screaming rip at your heart. Did you consider an allergy or intolerance? Many mothers will give up at this point and think they are unable to breastfeed their child. Don't lose heart! Let's consider a few things. The most common intolerance's to tiny tummies are dairy, soy, eggs, and wheat. If one of these runs in your family (for example, if you know that a family member had to be put on soy formula or hypo-allergenic formula) this is where you start. Take these foods out of your diet one at a time and observe your baby. If the painful screaming subsides you can probably assume it's the food you've eaten. Make sure you read food labels as certain foods have soy and dairy fillers. (Taco Seasoning, for example, has dairy fillers in it) And always remember, if it made mama gassy it will make baby gassy as well. Babies can't handle gas as well as adults, so if you eat a lot of vegetables and lentils you may need to cut back for a few months.

If you're one of the many moms that seems to have trouble keeping up with your baby there are foods that may help. Several moms swear that oatmeal works as a supply booster. Many eat a bowl a day, and some assert that even oatmeal cookies helps. Fenugreek is most commonly used to raise supply. Fenugreek is used to flavor maple syrup and as the main ingredient in curry powder. It can also be purchased in capsule form at your local health food store. Use with caution if you have a peanut allergy as it comes from the same family!

Maybe you have the opposite problem: Oversupply. No fear, there are foods for you as well. Be careful, though, if you're not in the weaning process as any of these remedies can cause a dangerous dip in supply. Sage, parsley, and oregano are believed to lower supply when consumed on a regular basis. Cabbage leaves and crushed jasmine flowers applied topically can also lower supply and aid with engorgement pain.

Congratulations on your new baby and for making the decision to breastfeed. Remember to always ask your doctor before beginning a new treatment and always research all decisions thoroughly.

Learn more about this author, Kasondra Morin.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.