What foods should be avoided during breastfeeding? A new mother's diet during lactation directly impacts her newborn's growth and development, so it must not be taken lightly. I. Foods to Avoid During Breastfeeding 1. Medications and Alcohol Medications and alcohol enter the bloodstream and can pass into the infant through breast milk. Therefore, be mindful of medication contraindications and avoid alcohol consumption.
2. Spicy Foods and Caffeine
Avoid oranges, onions, garlic, and other pungent foods, as they may cause the baby to have diarrhea or gas. This occurs because these foods are absorbed by the mother's digestive system, altering the taste and acidity of breast milk. If you notice a particular food causes your baby discomfort, eliminate it from your diet.
Minimize consumption of caffeinated beverages, as they may affect the fetus.
3. Empty-Calorie Foods
Avoid substituting balanced meals with greasy or sugary foods like potato chips, candy, or cakes. These items are often high in calories yet low in nutrients, providing only fleeting energy.
Next, we'll explore the truth behind some common breastfeeding dietary myths.
II. Breastfeeding Dietary Taboos
1. Milk-Suppressing Foods
Among breastfeeding mothers, certain foods like leeks, ginseng, and malt are rumored to be "landmines" that drastically reduce milk supply upon consumption.Is this true?
In reality, no direct correlation exists between specific foods and milk supply. Many mothers diligently consume lactation-promoting foods without significant increases in milk production, while others regularly eat so-called milk-suppressing foods without any impact on milk secretion. Should a mother panic if she accidentally eats chive dumplings?In reality, the psychological pressure of expecting milk to dry up is more likely to cause a decrease in milk supply. And that baby you think is crying because they can't get milk due to dry-up might simply dislike the leek flavor in the milk.
If you accidentally hit a snag, don't panic—we encourage moms to stay relaxed! The more your baby nurses, the more signals your body receives to produce milk, naturally boosting supply. If you're seriously concerned about milk volume, the best approach is to pump an extra one or two times that day or let your baby nurse longer while cuddling close.
2. Caffeine and Alcohol
Caffeine and alcohol are clearly unsuitable for infants, and mothers instinctively know to avoid them. However, coffee-loving moms might feel disappointed—after abstaining for ten months, they still can't enjoy coffee while breastfeeding. Does raising children truly feel like a punishment?
A 1994 American study may offer some relief. It suggests consuming less than 750ml of coffee (about 3 cups) is generally safe. However, due to individual differences and the baby's age, it's important to monitor for signs of caffeine sensitivity. If sensitivity is observed, try avoiding caffeine after noon or opt for decaffeinated coffee, juice, or herbal tea.
Another study indicates that occasional, small amounts (a small glass) of wine or beer pose no harm to the baby. However, consistent daily heavy drinking raises safety concerns for the baby, and excessive alcohol can impair the baby's brain development. Alcohol rapidly disperses into the bloodstream and breast milk while drinking, so avoid drinking and breastfeeding simultaneously.If you consume significant amounts of alcohol or become intoxicated, consider expressing and discarding breast milk until you are sober.To protect both mother and baby, mothers can adjust the amount of chicken wine consumed and extend cooking time to reduce alcohol content. However, there is no need to deliberately extend breastfeeding intervals, as frequent breastfeeding is fundamental to establishing milk supply.
You can also calculate a simple guideline: consuming over 12cc per kilogram of body weight daily remains within a safe range. For example, a 50kg individual should not consume more than 600cc of chicken wine daily. If exceeding this amount, express and store breast milk beforehand, or pause breastfeeding for two hours after consumption. Alternatively, use non-alcoholic additives to prepare nutrient-rich, easily digestible high-protein foods for postpartum recovery.