Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

Just wondering what vices I can have back... Not that I eliminated so much but was just wondering what the basic guidelines were.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

You can pretty much eat regularly. You should cut out alcohol - but you can have some in moderation. My ped said if you want a glass of wine to just wait about 2 hours before feeding you don't have to pump and dump unless you drink a lot.

I avoided caffeine as that can bother the baby - but I was able to work it back in over time.

Otherwise it is kind of hit and miss to the individual baby. You might want to cut back or out foods that might make them gassy - like beans, broccoli etc. Otherwise it is much easier than the diet for pregnancy. BTW eventually I was able to work everything back into my diet - but in the beginning I avoided gassy food only b.c DD had bad reflux and colic.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

Pretty much, if you're following strictly - the diet is pretty much the same as if you were pregnant. And, you'll want to avoid gassy foods - at least in the beginning (or see if DC reacts to them) and dairy which can also make them gassy.

This is a great reference

Kelly Mom Diets Q & A

Message edited 1/21/2009 4:26:26 PM.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

I can't avoid the beans-- I live on them since I am a vegetarian, but I assume the baby is kinda used to them by now... who knows.

I guess it's trial and error.

I was really wondering about the caffeine-- how is a new mom supposed to avoid caffeine??? Or wine for that matter??? Oy gevalt!

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

Well, technically you don't really have to avoid wine even while pg (my SIL drank her entire pg 2 glasses a wk). You should obviously drink in moderation and you would want to pump & dump if you have more than a couple glasses.

As far as caffeine, I went back to a full cup of coffee in the morning (which some drink while pg too). I try to have a lot of water after to flush it out before nursing - but I haven't noticed it ever really bothering him anyway.

If I want more than a cup of coffee a day, I try to drink the half caff type - moderation, just like when pg.

And the beans may not be an issue at all for your child - def. trial & error.

From Kelly Mom

Are there any foods that I should avoid while I’m breastfeeding?
There are NO foods that you should avoid simply because you are breastfeeding. It is generally recommended that a nursing mother eat whatever she likes, whenever she likes, in the amounts that she likes and continue to do this unless baby has an obvious reaction to a particular food.
It's suggested that everyone, particularly pregnant and nursing mothers, avoid eating certain types of fish that are typically high in mercury.
It is a good idea to restrict caffeine and alcohol to a certain extent, but it is rarely necessary to eliminate them.
Some food proteins (such as cow's milk protein or peanut protein) do pass into mother's milk. If there is a history of food allergies in your family, you may wish to limit or eliminate the allergens common in your family.
Any baby might react to a particular food (although this is not very common). If baby has an obvious reaction every time you eat a certain food, it may be helpful to eliminate that food from your diet. For more information, see Dairy and other Food Sensitivities in Breastfed Babies.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

thanks for the info... I can deal with just one cup-- I am not a coffee addict by any means. I also doubt I will be boozing it up for a long time, but I do miss a really good glass of wine.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

You can eat normally. The only child I had to avoid dairy with was my oldest DS>

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

My Pediatrician and Lactation Consultant said that I could eat anything and everything except alcohol. I was told to drink no more than two glasses of wine.

Then, if any gas issues or extra fussiness occur with the baby, cut out caffeine or acidic foods. I did not need to do this.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

The only things my pediatrician recommended avoiding were nuts and peanut butter. This is controversial though and doctors differ in their opinions on this. Babies can be sensitive to chocolate, caffeine and foods that tend to cause gas. I wouldn't avoid them until your baby has a reaction to these things.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

You really do not need to cut out anything. I had caffeine early in the day. If I had any alcohol I would make sure it was right after I nursed or pumped so it was not in my system for the next time.

You may find that you DC will react to some things you eat and may have to cut down on those foods for a little while though. In the beginning DD would get fussy on the days that I had red sauce. I cut it out for a month or two and then added it in moderation and she was fine.

Re: Anyone know what kind of foods, etc. you still have to avoid when BFing?

i wouldn't avoid anything at first in terms of foods - your baby may not have a problem with gas from, say, broccoli, and if you know that then he/she will get all those great nutrients from that vegetable! as time goes on, though, you may have to cut out certain things if they seem to make the baby fussy.

i agree with everyone above- NO need to cut out alcohol - you can definitely have your glass of wine without worrying. i would also try having your morning coffee - chances are that won't make your baby fussy either.

i found kellymom.com to be a great resource, although i must admit it was a little... hardcore in my opinion. i'm more moderate in my views about BFing and have no problem whatsoever with formula, so at times i found the site (especially the forums) a little extreme... jmo.