You know how you can't eat certain foods when pregnant, does the same apply for when breastfeeding?

There really aren't any restricted foods or women who are breastfeeding, but there are some things you should take into consideration. Whatever you eat will affect the flavor and aroma of your breast milk. Your baby may have a reaction to things like spicy food, garlic, cabbage and chocolate since they're pretty potent. It all really depends on how well your digestive system works and how sensitive your baby is. Some babies may not have any problems at all with these foods, while others may refuse the breast because of the change in flavor. My son, for example, always spit up more often and refused to eat his usual amount, when I had a meal that was cooked with garlic. As far as harming your baby by eating certain foods, you don't have to worry about avoiding anything specific. Of course you will want to limit certain things like alcohol and caffeine while breastfeeding. A small amount of alcohol and caffeine is OK, but still not viewed as "healthy" options for your baby. If you're interested in reading more about what's safe, what should be limited and what to avoid (things like addictive substances, i.e. cigarettes) while breastfeeding, just click on the link below. It's a short article that explains everything in a way that's easy to understand.

http://www.pregnancy-period.com/foods_to...

I hope this helps to answer your question! Good luck and take care! ;o)

You can find several websites and doctors that say there are some trigger foods that could cause your baby to be gassy or fussy, the key word is could. I have a 6 week old baby boy and what I do is avoid foods that cause me to have gas or constipation, as well as do things as a trial and error. The bad thing is, sometimes there are foods you dont think will do anything and they do. In the past 6 weeks we had two bouts of crying from the baby, looking back I remembered eating strawberries both of those days. Needless to say I havent had any since :)

No. There are foods that may bother a baby- for us with our baby it was tomato products and caffeine. Anything else was fine. After 10 weeks, I reintroduced the things that bothered her and she was fine.

You CAN have a glass of wine when nursing- or a beer if you prefer and don't need to pump and dump. The rule: if you can feel the effects, don't nurse. OR: 1 hour per drink. I follow the first however and both of mine have been fine.

Breastfeeding is easy- it's people who make it complicated with "rules" and "guidelines" that don't really exist.

Good luck!

Check out
www.kellymom.com
www.breastfeeding.com
www.askdrsears.com

Dr. Sears has a huge list of offending foods- however, what is offending to 1 baby in one family may not offend another baby in the same family. We found this- our son was bothered by green peppers...and the baby was not.

What certain foods was I not supposed to eat when I was pregnant? I ate everything I always ate...I didn't breastfeed though.

It's not nearly as strict when you're breast feeding.
For example ..
you CAN eat unpasturized cheese while breast feeding .. but not when pregnant.
you CAN eat sushi while breast feeding .. but not when you are pregnant.

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.