What Foods Should I Avoid While Breastfeeding?
|
Women in our culture are sometimes advised to avoid spicy or "gassy" foods when nursing. Or they are told that chocolate, citrus, carbonated beverages or dairy causes problems in all nursing babies.
As a breastfeeding educator, I often see women warning other Moms that they need to avoid certain foods while breastfeeding. There are also websites that give unproven breastfeeding advice that claim that women must eat a certain kind of diet in order to make quality milk for her baby. So what is the truth?
Does a nursing Mom need to restrict her diet? Are there foods that a Mom should avoid while breastfeeding?
Generally speaking, a nursing Mom does NOT need to restrict her diet.
Obviously, drinking heavily or excessive caffeine consumption (meaning several cups of coffee a day) is a no-no, but other than that, there is no reason for a breastfeeding Mother to assume that she needs to avoid any foods.
So called "gassy" foods do not affect the nursing infant because the undigested carbs that cause gas in Mom do not pass into breastmilk. It is literally impossible for "gassy" foods to cause gas in babies except in the rare case of an infant being allergic to one of these foods.
Interestingly, according to the La Leche League (considered the world's foremost authority on breastfeeding) website, "In Italy, mothers are often told not to eat garlic, cauliflower, lentils, and red peppers. In India most mothers eat all these things and breastfeed very happily. Actually, in parts of India they believe that garlic helps a mother to breastfeed successfully!"
There are even a couple of studies that showed that babies nursed longer and with more vigor when their Moms ate garlic.
The advice given to a nursing Mom varies according to local culture and the popular "old wive's tales". Women all over the world eating a wide variety of foods produce good quality milk and have thriving babies. There is not a shred of evidence that supports the idea that eating a special diet helps make breastmilk "richer".
Consequently, there is no one food that all breastfeeding Moms should avoid. Breastfeeding women should eat a variety of healthy foods, just as they did while they were pregnant.
The only exception would be if your baby has food allergies/sensitivies, which is rare but not unheard of. If your family has a strong history of allergy to a specific food (such as peanuts), you might consider avoiding that food while nursing and during pregnancy.
Enjoy nursing your baby!
Carrie Lauth publishes a free newsletter for Moms who do things the natural way. Get your copy plus free subscriber goodies at http://www.natural-moms.com
|
|
|
Baby Girl Shower Invitations
Baby girl shower invitations basic theme is the welcoming of baby girls into the fold of a family. Baby showers celebrate the arrival of a baby/babies into this world. Actually, a baby born into a family ensures the continuity of the family lineage.As such, the coming of a baby (whether girl or boy) always gives a family and their friends a great occasion for rejoicing. The baby showers honor the would-be-mothers and makes the period of anticipation a little easier for her.The baby shower ceremonies are usually celebrated during the pregnancy period. By convention, baby showers are held for the first child. Baby showers are organized to receive or arrange funds for the would-be parents. This is an immense help for the first time parents-to-be.The guests may also make gifts for the baby...(related: Babies)
Real Nappies (cotton Nappies) Or Disposables - The Debate
I'm sure you have heard some of the debate surrounding real nappies, whether you should use them, the environmental impact of disposables and so on. Well, this short summary provides, what I believe to be, a balanced view of the pros and cons of real nappies.This is not designed to be a complete dissertation on real nappies v disposables, it is an overview ? succinct and to the point.Advantages of Real Nappies* Can reduce waste ? up to 50% of a "one-baby" households waste is made up o...(related: Babies)
Human Milk Bank Donor Helps Premature And Sick Infants And Children
Lisa Fozo (37), a Fair Oaks resident, wanted to breastfeed so much that when her two sons didn't latch on, she pumped her own milk and bottle fed it to them. With her first child, Alex, (5) she had an excess of milk and had to discard it. But when she had her second child, Kyle, (15 months) Mercy Hospital of Folsom referred her to Karen Evon, International Board Certified Lacta...(related: Babies)
A Special Formula For Baby!
Choosing to breastfeed the baby is one of the most important decisions a mother can make. Usually that decision was made even before the baby was conceived. There may be times when lack of support, knowl...(related: Babies)
How To Choose A Baby Bathtub
Choosing a baby bathtub is likely one of the easiest decisions you'll have to make when it comes to acquiring supplies for the new arrival. Basically, if it holds water, you're all set.There is little in the way of advantages to baby bathtub designs. Your basic tub shape, made of s...(related: Babies)
Is It Colic, Infant Reflux, Or Gerd? Learn How To Tell The Difference
It can sometimes be difficult for a parent to understand whether the baby has colic or reflux (and even GERD) since some of the symptoms (eg. poor sleep, constant crying) can be similiar. It's also extremely important to rule out reflux as a cause of this crying, as it's becoming widely acknowledged that many cases of colic are actually undiagnosed...(related: Babies)
How To Clean Those Lovable Plush Toys
Are YOUR Stuffed Animals DIRTY?Stuffed animals and dollies can lead a hard life, if they're loved. Whether they sleep with you, tag along to play dates or Day Care, play hide and seek in the back yard, or just cuddle up by the TV sharing your snacks, they can really get dirty. Even the ones we "grownups" have out for "show" will eventually get dusty.If you're collecting your animals as an investment, by all means protect them, take good care of the swing tags, and don't wash them.But for the rest of us, who love on our plush pals, here are some suggestions on how to get them clean.There are symbols on the tush tag of many toys that tell you how to c...(related: Babies)
The Average Growth In Babies
Growth charts are tools your pediatrician can use to keep track of your child's physical growth. During each checkup, the doctor will measure your baby's length, weight, and head circumference. The doctor can then compare the measurements for your baby to a chart of national averages for infants of the same age and sex.The result is that the doctor will be able to tell you what percentile your baby is in when compared to average baby growth around the nation. For example, if your doctor tells you your 4-month-old is in the 86th percentile for weight, that means 86 percent of the two-month-olds in your country weigh less, and that 14 percent weigh m...(related: Babies)
Important Features To Consider When Buying A Baby Crib
With all the different features of baby cribs, it can be a little overwhelming to sort it all out. This article reviews some of the most comon baby crib features and reviews the pros and cons of each feature.Is the Baby Crib Made of Quality Materials and Construction? Wooden Baby Cribs/Iron Baby CribsYou don't often think of the material that the baby crib is made of as an actual feature to consider. But, picking a baby crib that is made from quality materials can make the difference between a baby crib that is used for years and one that you wish you had never bought. Wooden baby cribs should be stained or painted hardwoods like maple, ash, beech, or oak. The overall stability of the baby crib could be threatened by the use of inferior woods in the manufacturing process. This is due to the baby crib slates becoming weakened an...(related: Babies)
How To Choose A Baby Bathtub
Choosing a baby bathtub is likely one of the easiest decisions you'll have to make when it comes to acquiring supplies for the new arrival. Basically, if it holds water, you're all set.There is little in the way of advantages to baby bathtub designs. Your basic tub shape, made of s...(related: Babies)
Teach Your Baby To Read English
If your child's first language is not English, he or she canstill become an excellent English reader and writer. Yourbaby is on the way to successful English reading if she isbeginning to learn many words and is interested in learningto read in her first language. You can help by supportingher in her first language as she learns English. Talk withher, read with her, encourage her to draw and write.Inother words, do the same kinds of activities just discussed,but do them in your child's first language.When your child first enters school, talk with her teacher.Teachers welcome such talks. They even have sign-up timesearly in the year, though usually you may ask for a meetingat any time. If you feel that you need some support inmeeting with the teacher, ask a relative, neighbor...(related: Babies)
site-map - Copyright © 2007 | Contact Webmaster | All Rights Reserved | Free Articles and Information | Babies