6 Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding, that means you are giving your baby nutrients, which also promote the growth and health of your baby. There is no doubt that a woman has to face several challenges while breastfeeding, such as sore nipples, which happen because of poor latch and cause pain and discomfort.
Not just that, but many more; however, a mother does not want to affect their baby in any way. One of the most essential ways to provide proper nutrients to the baby through breastfeeding is eating a healthy diet.
There are so many things that a mother should avoid while they are breastfeeding, and that you will know about from here. So, let’s start!
Do you Require any Extra Calories While Breastfeeding?
Most definitely! When you are breastfeeding, then you will need to eat a little more than you do. Add about 330-400 calories to your diet to give you more energy and nutrients to produce milk.
If you want to gain those extra calories, then you should opt for food choices that are rich in nutrients, such as a slice of whole-grain bread with 1 tbs of peanut butter, which should be about 16 grams, a medium-sized apple or banana, and about 8 ounces of yoghourt (227 grams).
What kind of Food Should A Woman Eat While Breastfeeding?
If you are breastfeeding after a C-section, then there are chances that you may not have much energy and feel a lot of pain. In that case, a woman should focus on eating a healthy diet, which will help fuel her milk production.
You should opt for protein-rich foods, which include lean meat, dairy, eggs, lentils, seafood low in mercury and beans. You can even choose different varieties of whole grains, which include fruits and vegetables.
The taste of the breast milk will vary if you eat a range of foods while nursing. This will introduce your child to various flavors, making it easier to take solid foods.
Your healthcare professional may suggest taking a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement until your baby is weaned to ensure that you and your child are getting all the vitamins you require.
Food Groups You Should Avoid While Breastfeeding
A nursing mother can have a great variety of food in their diet, but still, there are certain foods that they must avoid while breastfeeding. They need to understand what those foods are–
- Coffee and Tea
Your breast milk will contain some caffeine from your coffee and tea, which could interfere with your baby’s ability to go to sleep, according to coffee and tea importer Cafely. It may also make it more difficult for you to fall asleep at night or to take naps when your baby is napping.
- Cabbage, Broccoli & Other Foods that Cause Gas
If a particular food causes gas in you, it may cause your baby to experience the same reaction. These foods can be particularly painful for your nursing baby if they are already naturally gassy.
- Fish
Higher mercury levels in some fish species, such as swordfish and king mackerel, can be detected in breast milk. If you must eat fish, limit your intake to no more than six ounces twice a week and opt for fish with lower mercury levels, such as trout and tilapia.
- Chocolate
Chocolate should be avoided or consumed in moderation due to its caffeine content and potential laxative effects on infants.
- Garlic
Many babies dislike the taste of garlic, and breast milk takes on the flavors of the items you’ve consumed. It might even make children reject to nurse in certain situations.
- Peppermint, Sage, and Parsley
Certain herbs may negatively impact your milk supply. It’s advisable to limit your intake of them, mainly if there are any signs that your nursing infant is not receiving enough breast milk.
Conclusion
A new mother faces a lot of problems while breastfeeding, including inverted nipple breastfeeding, which reduces the supply of the mother. Though you can follow a few strategies to fix that problem, you also require proper food. That is why one must follow the above guide while eating food so as not to make any mistakes and feed their baby comfortably.
