17 Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding: New Moms, Take Note

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Navigating motherhood, especially if you’re a new mom, comes with its set of joys and challenges, particularly when it comes to breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is a remarkable way to nourish your baby, providing essential nutrients and fostering a deep bond.

It’s also a time when new mothers need to be particularly mindful of their diet by understanding what foods to avoid while breastfeeding and what to eat while breastfeeding to increase baby weight.

Understanding the 17 foods to avoid while breastfeeding and gassy foods to avoid while breastfeeding is essential for ensuring a happy and healthy postnatal journey for both you and your baby.

This becomes even more important as certain foods can affect your baby through breast milk, causing discomfort or allergic reactions.

Whether it’s understanding what foods to avoid while breastfeeding or what to eat while breastfeeding to increase baby weight, this article aims to be your trusted guide, armed with actionable insights and grounded in expert advice.

17 Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding

Here’s a detailed guide on 17 foods to avoid while breastfeeding, complete with examples and reasons why each should be avoided.

This list also includes gassy foods to avoid while breastfeeding that can cause gastrointestinal issues in babies.

1. Fish High in Mercury

Eating these fish during breastfeeding could lead to mercury being passed to your baby through breast milk, potentially affecting their health.

Mercury can harm your baby’s developing nervous system, leading to potential cognitive and developmental issues.

Here are examples of fish to avoid while breastfeeding:

Shark
Swordfish
King Mackerel
Tilefish (from the Gulf of Mexico)
Marlin
Orange Roughy
Bigeye Tuna

2. Excessive Caffeine

Caffeine is a stimulant, and just like it can keep you awake, it can also affect your baby’s sleep. Infants have a limited ability to process caffeine because their metabolism is still developing.

For instance, reports have indicated that babies exposed to significant amounts of caffeine through breast milk may exhibit signs such as jitteriness, increased muscle tone, and restlessness.

In one case, a mother consuming around 4 to 5 cups of coffee daily noticed her 6-week-old baby showed trembling and increased irritability, which improved once she reduced her caffeine intake.

The NHS recommends that breastfeeding mothers limit caffeine intake to about 200 mg per day especially when the baby is still under 6 months old.

To put this into perspective, an average 8-ounce cup of coffee contains approximately 96 mg of caffeine, while black and green teas offer lower amounts.

Here are examples of caffeine to avoid while breastfeeding:

Coffee
Tea
Chocolate
Energy Drinks

3. Alcohol

When you consume alcohol, it’s important to understand that it transfers into your breast milk almost as readily as it enters your bloodstream.

This transfer means that the alcohol levels in your breast milk will closely mirror your blood alcohol levels.

Typically, the highest alcohol concentration in your milk occurs between 30 to 60 minutes after drinking, although eating food can delay this peak.

Alcohol can be transferred to your baby through breast milk and can affect their sleep and development.

If you choose to drink, wait at least two hours per drink before breastfeeding to minimize the alcohol content in your milk.

Consider pumping and storing milk beforehand if you plan to drink more than a minimal amount.

You should avoid this alcohol while breastfeeding:

Wine
Beer
Spirits
Cocktails

4. Certain Herbs

Herbs known as anti-galactagogues can reduce milk supply in large quantities or cause reactions in babies.

Additionally, herbs with stimulating properties can pass their stimulating effects to the baby, potentially leading to irritability and difficulty in sleeping.

Here are anti-galactagogues herbs to avoid while breastfeeding:

Sage
Parsley
Peppermint
Oregano
Lemon Balm
Fenugreek (Reported for some women)
Ginseng
Ephedra
St. John’s Wort
Ma Huang

5. Excessive Garlic

Excessive garlic can change the flavor of your breast milk, making it stronger and potentially off-putting to some babies. This change is usually noticeable within 1 to 3.5 hours after you’ve eaten garlic.

The response of babies to garlicky breast milk varies. While some infants seem to enjoy the new flavors, spending more time feeding and showing increased sucking, others might react differently.

Interestingly, this doesn’t just affect the sensory experience for your baby; it could also influence their future food preferences.

Some research suggests that infants exposed to a variety of tastes through breast milk, including garlic, might become less picky eaters as they grow.

If you notice your baby is unusually fussy after you consume garlic, it might be helpful to eliminate garlic from your diet temporarily to see if there’s an improvement in their comfort and feeding patterns.

Avoid excessive consumption of these garlic foods while breastfeeding:

Garlic Cloves
Garlic Powder
Garlic Bread
Garlic-Infused Oils

6. Dairy Products

Cow’s milk is among the foods to avoid while breastfeeding. This protein is a common trigger for food sensitivities in infants, which might surprise you.

If your little one is experiencing symptoms like colic like discomfort, excessive crying, or irritability, it could be a reaction to dairy products in your diet.

Other signs to watch for include skin reactions such as eczema, digestive issues like diarrhea (sometimes with blood), vomiting, and respiratory symptoms like wheezing or a stuffy nose.

If you find that dairy products are indeed causing issues for your baby, don’t worry; there are plenty of nutritious alternatives that can help you maintain a balanced diet while breastfeeding.

These are examples of dairy products to avoid while breastfeeding:

Milk
Cheese
Yogurt
Butter

7. Nuts

Nut allergies can be severe and may affect your baby if there is a family history of allergies. Symptoms of a nut allergy in your baby can include rash, hives, and difficulty breathing.

Here are examples of nuts to avoid while breastfeeding:

Peanuts
Hazelnuts

8. Chocolate

When considering chocolate consumption while breastfeeding, it’s important to understand that chocolate contains caffeine and a closely related compound called theobromine.

The levels of theobromine vary depending on the type of chocolate. Overconsumption of chocolate can affect your baby and lead to irritability and sleep disturbances.

It is advisable to avoid certain chocolates while breastfeeding or in moderation and watch for any signs of sensitivity in your baby.

Here are some chocolates to avoid while breastfeeding:

Dark Chocolate
Milk Chocolate
Chocolate Bars
Hot Chocolate

9. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are high in vitamin C but can be acidic and irritating to your baby’s digestive system. Some babies might experience diaper rash, fussiness, or increased spit-up.

If you notice these symptoms, try reducing your intake of citrus fruits and juices.

Consider avoiding these citrus fruits while breastfeeding:

Oranges
Lemons
Grapefruits
Limes

10. Wheat

Gluten intolerance or sensitivity can cause gastrointestinal distress in some breastfed babies, such as diarrhea, gas, or fussiness.

If you suspect a sensitivity, try eliminating wheat from your diet to see if symptoms improve.

Bread
Pasta
Cereals
Baked Goods

11. Eggs

Eggs are a common allergen and can cause reactions in some breastfed babies. Symptoms of an egg allergy can include skin rashes, hives, or gastrointestinal issues.

If you suspect an egg allergy, try removing eggs from your diet and observe any changes in your baby’s condition.

Examples include:

Boiled Eggs
Scrambled Eggs
Omelets
Egg Salad

12. Soy

Soy proteins can pass through breast milk and lead to allergic reactions such as rash, wheezing, or gastrointestinal problems.

Consider avoiding these soy products while breastfeeding if your baby shows signs of sensitivity:

Soy Milk
Soy Sauce
Edamame

13. Corn

Corn and corn products can sometimes cause allergic reactions or sensitivities in babies. Symptoms can include fussiness, gassiness, and digestive issues.

If you suspect corn might be causing problems for your baby, try eliminating these corn foods from your diet to see if symptoms improve:

Corn on the Cob
Corn Chips
Cornbread
Popcorn

14. Cruciferous Vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables can cause gas and discomfort in some babies. While these vegetables are nutritious, their gas-producing properties might lead to fussiness and bloating.

Examples of cruciferous vegetables to avoid while breastfeeding include:

Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cabbage
Brussels Sprouts

15. Processed Foods

Processed foods often contain additives, preservatives, and artificial flavors that can be passed to your baby through breast milk.

These foods are usually low in essential nutrients and high in unhealthy fats, sugars, and salt. Focus on a low-sodium diet, or whole, unprocessed foods to ensure you and your baby receive optimal nutrition.

Processed foods with high sodium and preservatives can affect the taste of breast milk and potentially cause digestive issues in the baby.

Here are some of the processed foods to avoid while breastfeeding:

Fast food
Packaged snacks
Ready to eat meals with high sodium and preservatives

16. High Sugar Foods

Excessive sugar can lead to a temporary spike in energy followed by a crash, affecting the mother’s energy levels and potentially the baby’s sleep patterns.

High-sugar foods to avoid while breastfeeding include:

Candy
Sugary snacks
Desserts with high sugar content

17. Spicy Foods

While there’s no evidence that spicy foods should be avoided while breastfeeding, it’s important to observe how your baby reacts after you consume these foods.

Despite these findings, every baby is different. Some might be sensitive to specific spices or ingredients that come through in the breast milk.

After consuming spicy foods, watch for any changes in your baby’s behavior or signs of discomfort such as fussiness, rashes, or digestive issues.

Here are some of the spicy foods to avoid while breastfeeding:

Hot peppers
Spicy curries
Dishes with hot sauces

Foods to Eat While Breastfeeding to Increase Baby Weight

Maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet is crucial for breastfeeding mothers to support their own health and provide essential nutrients for their baby through breast milk.

During breastfeeding, consuming a nutrient-dense diet can aid in increasing a baby’s weight and supporting its growth.

Here’s what to eat while breastfeeding to increase baby weight:

1. Healthy Fats

Avocado
Almonds
Walnuts
Cashews
Seeds (flaxseeds, chia seeds)
Olive oil
Fatty fish (salmon)

2. Protein-Rich Foods

Chicken
Turkey
Lentils
Tofu

3. Whole Grains

Brown rice
Quinoa
Oats
Whole grain bread
Barley

4. Plant-based Dairy Products

Unsweetened almond milk
Oat milk
Coconut milk
Cashew cheese

5. Fruits and Vegetables

Blueberries
Spinach
Sweet potatoes
Bell peppers
Strawberries
Cantaloupe
Bananas
Mangoes

6. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Flaxseeds
Chia seeds
Fatty fish (salmon, trout)
Hemp seeds

7. Lactogenic Foods

Oats
Barley
Fenugreek
Brewer’s yeast
Fennel seeds

8. Iron-rich Foods

Lean red meat (beef, lamb)
Lentils
Spinach
Tofu
Fortified cereals

9. Safer Fish Alternatives

Salmon
Tilapia
Cod
Catfish
Pollock
Herring
Light Canned Tuna

10. Hydration

Water
Herbal teas (chamomile, ginger)
Clear soups
Coconut water
Fruit-infused water

Resources

Conclusion

Navigating the journey of breastfeeding as a new mom, we’ve uncovered 17 foods to avoid while breastfeeding to ensure the well-being of both you and your baby.

From the gassy foods to avoid while breastfeeding to what to eat while breastfeeding to increase baby weight, each piece of advice serves as a beacon, guiding you through the maze of dietary choices.

Furthermore, making conscious decisions about what to eat while breastfeeding to increase baby weight can contribute to the healthy growth and development of the breastfeeding baby.

Remember, every baby is different, and what affects one might not affect another. Pay close attention to your baby’s reactions and consult with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.

Breastfeeding is a special time, and with the right dietary choices by understanding the foods to avoid while breastfeeding, you can make it a positive experience for both you and your baby.

FAQs

What are gassy foods to avoid while breastfeeding?

Gassy foods to avoid while breastfeeding include beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions, and spicy foods, as they can cause gas in both the mother and the baby when consumed in large quantities.

How long do gassy food effects last in breastfed babies?

The effects of gassy foods on breastfed babies can vary. In most cases, symptoms may appear within a few hours of consumption and subside within 24-48 hours.

Is it necessary to avoid spicy foods while breastfeeding?

For some babies, spicy foods consumed by the mother can cause discomfort. It’s advisable to be cautious with spicy foods and observe the baby’s reaction to determine if they should be limited or avoided.

Are there specific vegetables that should be avoided during breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding mothers might want to avoid certain vegetables that could cause gas and discomfort for both mother and baby such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts.

Disclaimer: The 17 foods to avoid while breastfeeding provided in this article are for educational and informational purposes only and not intended as medical advice. If you suspect your baby has an allergy or adverse reaction to any food, seek medical advice promptly.