Foods to Avoid while Breastfeeding: Strong, Sharp Flavors

If you are a breastfeeding mother, you won't be given a list of foods to avoid. There are no foods in general that harms your baby. Actually, it all depends on your baby's taste and your ability to digest. Except for nicotine-related substances and alcohol, there are few restrictions on the sort of food you can eat. But you have a baby to feed through the foods you consume when you are breastfeeding your infant. It thus makes sense to go easy on foods the baby does not like. The thumb rule to determine what he does not like is by checking his reaction when you've had a particular food. Your baby will express his disapproval through his cry.

Spice is not Recommended

Spicy foods may be an acquired taste that your baby may not like. It can even cause a mild reaction in him. Spicy foods, cabbage, chocolate are the worst offenders. It might help to stay away from foods such as these. However, the reaction to these foods will depend on the ability of the breastfeeding mother to digest this food and the sensitivity of her baby.

Foods such as cabbage, garlic, chilli & curry may cause the baby to be flatulent. Although no research supports this fact, mothers everywhere will agree to keep the baby away from foods which might cause a reaction in the baby. If what is at stake is a good night's sleep, it helps to just drink milk, feed your baby and then sleep without worrying about being woken because of a strong flavor. The baby could wake you up with his loud noises if he has taken a dislike to the flavor. He may not like the strong flavor of some foods because these may change the taste of his mother's milk. It is a fact though that babies enjoy a variety of breast milk flavors. If the baby suddenly becomes fussy at the breast after the mother ate something like garlic, then it is best that you avoid that food while breastfeeding.

Vitamin C can Harm the Baby

Some types of juices too do not suit the baby. Pineapple or its juice, and other vitamin C rich fruits such as oranges, tomatoes, grapefruit and lemon, can give the baby to a nappy rash. If the mother thinks something she is eating is affecting her baby, she may need to do a bit of detecting to figure out the cause of the sensitivity. If she is still not sure, she may try cutting the food out of her diet for up to a week to see if things improve. If avoiding the food causes a nutritional imbalance, then she should seek professional advice before removing it from her diet, or ask for a replacement food.

Caffeine and Addictive Substances Are a No No

The breastfeeding mother has to moderate her breast milk flavors intake. While a small amount is fine, too much can interfere with her baby's sleep, or make the baby fussy. Doses of caffeine are not only found in coffee, but also in some sodas, teas, and over-the-counter medicines. Similarly, having an occasional social drink will not hurt the baby, but may make the baby sleepier than usual. To a sleep deprived mother, this may sound like a solution, however it is more likely to unsettle her baby and lead to poor feeding which may result in her baby waking more during the night.

In sum, avoiding strong, sharp tastes in foods until the period of breastfeeding is over, could ensure that the infant gets a healthy dose of milk every day, and the mother stays in peace. The above mentioned foods you could do well to avoid while breastfeeding because you are feeding two people-both yourself and your baby. And there's no accounting for your baby's taste.