What to Avoid While Breastfeeding

Many women think that they can eat anything while breastfeeding. Well that’s pretty much not true as this is something which has to be monitored carefully as the baby is dependent on mother’s feed. Certain foods with flavors or spices, does affect the milk due to which many babies fall ill. I have seen many mothers rushing to the hospital complaining that the baby is suffering from cold and fever.

Well the many reasons which I have seen are the carelessness of the mother. Certain mothers do it by mistake and some of them are careless in other to eat everything they want which results in the baby getting cranky at the breast. One thing which should be monitored is, if the baby gets cranky while feeding, the particular food should be avoided.

Chocolates, spices, citrus fruits, garlic, chili, lime, gassy vegetables, and fruits such as cherries and prunes should be avoided when a mother is breast feeding the baby. These are one of the common reasons due to which the baby is affected and moves away more breast milk.

Caffeine should not be taken in quantity. Drinking one or two cups of coffee or tea a day is pretty much alright but sometimes it has been reported that the baby’s sleep has been affected. As already told, anything you eat and drink goes through the breast to the baby. Caffeine is also found in many soda drinks and some medicines. My opinion is to take milk instead of those two cups of coffee or tea.

Alcohol is also one thing that should be highly avoided. As drinking alcohol results in increase in blood alcohol level which makes alcohol enter breast milk and you would never want your baby drinking alcohol instead of milk as you want him/her to get healthy.

All suggestions passed are by a professional but we still prefer you to ask your doctor before changing any of your diet plans. A nutritionist is the perfect person you should be talking and discussing about your diet.

Always remember not to have cold water and cold drinks as these effects the milk a lot which usually causes cold to the baby. Fear is also something that should be avoided as these sometimes result in the milk to stop flowing through nipples. Always relax and feel good for the baby sucking your nipples. Try different positions as to keep your baby comfortable as well as yourself.

Avoid feeding more than 15 minutes from each side as this would result in crack nipples and milk would stop. Sometimes in the early stage of breastfeeding, mothers face pain in both the breasts which is the cause of the feed. Don’t get alarmed and relax as this is something which happens but if pain increases do see your doctor immediately.

Remember that breast milk is better than anything. Always prefer breast milk rather than canned/powder milk. Mothers who have a problem feeding by nipples can also use different products to express milk and then feed their baby.