According to Internationally renowned breastfeeding experts at La Leche League International, there are no foods that all mothers need to explicitly avoid while breastfeeding. There are, however, some considerations mothers will want to make as they plan their own diets to minimize adverse affects on their babies. Avoiding or minimizing certain foods can help keep your baby calm, healthy and happy.
Allergens
There are no specific allergens all women should avoid, but according to the University of Virginia, women with a family history of food allergies should avoid eating those specific trigger foods. Common food allergies include peanuts, soy, eggs and dairy. In the case of any food, if you notice your baby is fussy or having a reaction about six hours after eating a certain food, it's likely that your baby has food allergies. Stop eating those foods and your baby's condition should improve. Keeping a food journal is helpful in diagnosing potential food related problems with your baby.
Caffeine
According to the University of Virginia, nursing mothers should limit caffeine intake to less than two cups per day. Caffeine while breastfeeding can be problematic for two reasons. First, it cause sleeplessness, jitters and restless behavior in some babies. Secondly, caffeine is a diuretic which can cause you to lose fluid faster than you can replace it. Your fluid needs dramatically increase while breastfeeding and it can be difficult to drink enough without caffeine affecting your fluid levels.
Alcohol
Breastfeeding mothers should drink alcohol sparingly. Alcohol passes from mother to child through milk. Still, if you have a few drinks, it will only be a few hours before you can safely breastfeed. According to the University of Virginia, alcohol leaves the breast milk as quickly as it leaves the body. If you have plans to drink, its best to pump your milk before drinking so your baby will have a non-contaminated supply. You can resume feeding one you are no longer intoxicated.
