Foods worth noting while breastfeeding:
- Chocolate
- Spices (cinnamon, garlic, curry, chili pepper)
- Citrus fruits and their juices, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit
- Strawberries
- Pineapple
- The “gassy” veggies (onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers)
- Fruits with a laxative effect, such as cherries and prunes
FLAVOR SENSITIVITIES
While a newborn may love the flavor of some foods during the cause of breast-feeding, another may dislike that same flavor. Very spicy foods, for example, may cause the baby to fuss at feeding time. Simply eliminating the spice from the diet of the lactating mother can fix the problem. Citrus fruits and chocolate can also give breast milk a flavor to which the baby objects. Simply removing the citrus fruits can solve this objection too. However, the lactating mother should continue to eat a variety of other fruits — at least 2 a day — for a balanced nutrition for her and her baby.
CAFFEINE
After nine months abstention, many new moms look forward to drinking coffee again; however, moderation is key. Best to slowly re
introduce caffeine into the lactating mother system as every baby reacts differently to this stimulant. Some mothers drink the maximum limit of 3 cups of coffee without noticing any symptoms in their babies, while others notice that 1 cup causes agitation. Any amount of caffeine that causes the newborn agitation or sleep disturbance is too much
.
ALLERGIES
In some cases, foods passed through breast milk cause allergic reactions in breastfed babies. Strawberries, peanuts, soy, wheat, eggs, corn, corn syrup and dairy products are the most common allergenic foods. The lactating mother might not know if her baby has a food allergy until the baby shows symptoms. Symptoms can appear immediately after nursing or up to 24 hours later. Symptoms of a food allergy include diarrhea, fussiness, congestion, wheezing and skin rashes, such as eczema
