bac_Nursing

Breastfeeding? No Need for Diet Rules

December 11, 2024 Women

Many people think that if they breastfeed, they have to stop eating flavorful foods and skip spices altogether.

  • Alicia thought she had to give up cooking mole and making homemade salsa.
  • Mira was worried she’d have to forego curries.
  • Linh thought she’d have to stop putting chiles in her Bún bò Huế.
  • Bora’s mom told her she’d have to skip the Kimchi while nursing.

Good News: eating only bland foods while breastfeeding is another urban myth!

Myths about breastfeeding commonly come from friends or family members, who have passed down advice from older generations. Sometimes this information isn’t backed by science and encourages women to limit their diets when they don’t have to.

Myth Busting Common “Diet Rules” for Breastfeeding

Have you heard any of these common myths? It’s time to set the record straight!

#1 Spicy foods cause colic, gas, diarrhea, or rashes when a breastfeeding mom eats them.

False!

Strong flavors such as garlic can change the flavor and smell of human milk. However, it does not usually make infants fussier. On the other hand, studies show that babies of moms who eat garlic tend to be more successful at nursing! Babies nurse longer, which could increase milk supply. Babies who find a variety of flavors in their human milk may transition easier to solid foods and family favorites.

#2 It’s best to avoid cold drinks while nursing.

False!

Some Chinese and Southeast Asian women may commonly hear this advice, however, there is no scientific basis for this recommendation.

cold-drinks

#3 It’s best to avoid “gassy foods” while nursing, like cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and beans.

False!

These foods may cause gas for mom, but gas and fiber from foods are not passed along in human milk. You can enjoy as much as you can tolerate without the need to worry if it’s going to impact your baby’s tummy!

#4 You shouldn’t drink cow’s milk or eat dairy products while breastfeeding.

False!

Cow’s milk allergy is very rare in exclusively breastfed infants. Compared to formula there is a much smaller amount of cow’s milk protein (a potential allergen) in human milk. Also, cow’s milk contains some nutrients (vitamin A, zinc, magnesium) that help the immune system, which may help reduce child allergic diseases. Avoiding dairy products when you don’t need to can result in calcium loss from your bones.

#5 No coffee until you stop nursing.

False!

You may have given up coffee while pregnant. However, the caffeine passed into human milk is minimal. On the other hand, you also shouldn’t overdo it on caffeine because it can cause your baby to be fussy or irritable. Medical organizations recommend limiting caffeine to 200-300mg a day. Newborn or preterm babies process caffeine more slowly so you may want to consider lowering your caffeine intake even more. Keep in mind there are many sources of caffeine:

Brewed Coffee

100 mg per 8 oz.

Cola—regular and diet

35-50 mg per 12 oz.

Brewed tea

50-60 mg per 8 oz.

5-Hour Energy Extra Strength

230 mg in 1.9 oz.

Hershey’s Special Dark Chocolate bar

25 mg in 1.4 oz.

Hot chocolate mix

1-3 mg in 1 packet

#6 No more PBJ’s!

False!

Back in the day it was recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women avoid possible allergenic foods like soy, eggs, and peanuts. Research has shown that this restriction is not necessary. National and International Guidelines recommend that potentially allergenic foods such as peanut and peanut butter don’t need to be avoided by nursing moms. In fact, the early introduction of peanut-containing products to baby at 4-6 months may prevent peanut allergies. (If you or your baby have a diagnosed food allergy, speak with your doctor about eating allergenic foods.)

A special diet is not needed while you’re breastfeeding. While babies may get fussy, remember that there are many reasons for that! Babies’ gastrointestinal systems are still immature, so they may get gas or be fussy no matter what you eat! Babies also get gas from swallowing air while crying or eating too fast. Pay attention if there is a pattern to their fussiness—for example if it always happens when you eat a certain food or eat a lot of a certain food. Breastfeeding is still the best way to ensure your baby has fewer infections and also a lower risk of asthma and sudden infant death syndrome.

REFERENCES:

Author: Bridget Swinney MS, RDN, LD

B M, Patani J, Ekambaram G, P P. Effect of Allium sativum consumption for breastfeeding among postnatal Indian mothers. Bioinformation. 2023 Jun 30;19(6):698-702. doi: 10.6026/97320630019698. PMID: 37885786; PMCID: PMC10598363.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10598363/

McWilliam V, Netting MJ, Volders E, Palmer DJ; WAO DRACMA Guideline Group. World Allergy Organization (WAO) Diagnosis and Rationale for Action against Cow’s Milk Allergy (DRACMA) guidelines update – X – Breastfeeding a baby with cow’s milk allergy. World Allergy Organ J. 2023 Nov 3;16(11):100830. doi: 10.1016/j.waojou.2023.100830. PMID: 38020284; PMCID: PMC10656250.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10656250/

Järvinen KM, Westfall JE, Seppo MS, James AK, Tsuang AJ, Feustel PJ, Sampson HA, Berin C. Role of maternal elimination diets and human milk IgA in the development of cow’s milk allergy in the infants. Clin Exp Allergy. 2014 Jan;44(1):69-78. doi: 10.1111/cea.12228. PMID: 24164317; PMCID: PMC4038099.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4038099/

Stråvik M, Barman M, Hesselmar B, Sandin A, Wold AE, Sandberg AS. Maternal Intake of Cow’s Milk during Lactation Is Associated with Lower Prevalence of Food Allergy in Offspring. Nutrients. 2020 Nov 28;12(12):3680. doi: 10.3390/nu12123680. PMID: 33260602; PMCID: PMC7761074.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7761074/

La Leche League International. The Breastfeeding Answer Book, Third Edition. Pp 438-441. 2003.

Maternal Diet and Breastfeeding.
https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html Accessed 9-2-24.

https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/hcp/diet-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/breastfeeding-special-circumstances/diet-and-micronutrients/maternal-diet.html

European Food Safety Authority. Scientific Opinion on the Safety of Caffeine.
https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/efsajournal/pub/4102 Accessed 9-2-24.

Center for Science in the Public Interest Caffeine Chart.
https://www.cspinet.org/caffeine-chart Accessed 9-2-24.

What’s causing gas in my breastfed baby?
https://www.texaschildrens.org/content/wellness/whats-causing-gas-my-breastfed-baby#:~:text=For%20breastfed%20babies%2C%20gas%20might,intestinal%20gas%20is%20not%20harmful

Abrams EM, Sicherer SH. Maternal peanut consumption and risk of peanut allergy in childhood. CMAJ. 2018 Jul 9;190(27):E814-E815. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.180563. PMID: 29986856; PMCID: PMC6041250.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6041250/

Halken S, Muraro A, de Silva D, Khaleva E, Angier E, Arasi S, Arshad H, Bahnson HT, Beyer K, Boyle R, du Toit G, Ebisawa M, Eigenmann P, Grimshaw K, Hoest A, Jones C, Lack G, Nadeau K, O’Mahony L, Szajewska H, Venter C, Verhasselt V, Wong GWK, Roberts G; European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Guidelines Group. EAACI guideline: Preventing the development of food allergy in infants and young children (2020 update). Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2021 Jul;32(5):843-858. doi: 10.1111/pai.13496. Epub 2021 Mar 29. PMID: 33710678. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33710678/

Preventing Allergies: What you should know about your baby’s Nutrition. 2015.
https://www.aaaai.org/Aaaai/media/MediaLibrary/PDF%20Documents/Libraries/Preventing-Allergies-15.pdf

Donovan S, Dewey K, Novotny R, Stang J, Taveras E, Kleinman R, Raghavan R, Nevins J, Scinto-Madonich S, Butera G, Terry N, Obbagy J. Maternal Diet during Pregnancy and Lactation and Risk of Child Food Allergies and Atopic Allergic Diseases: A Systematic Review [Internet]. Alexandria (VA): USDA Nutrition Evidence Systematic Review; 2020 Jul. PMID: 35289989. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35289989/

Greer FR, Sicherer SH, Burks AW; COMMITTEE ON NUTRITION; SECTION ON ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY. The Effects of Early Nutritional Interventions on the Development of Atopic Disease in Infants and Children: The Role of Maternal Dietary Restriction, Breastfeeding, Hydrolyzed Formulas, and Timing of Introduction of Allergenic Complementary Foods. Pediatrics. 2019 Apr;143(4):e20190281. doi: 10.1542/peds.2019-0281. Epub 2019 Mar 18. PMID: 30886111.
https://publications.aap.org/pediatrics/article/143/4/e20190281/37226/The-Effects-of-Early-Nutritional-Interventions-on




Feeding a 6-7 Month Old

Feed solids with a spoon and from a bowl, never from a bottle.

Feeding a 10-12 Month Old

Breast milk is the most important source of nutrition for your baby, even after you start offering solid foods.

Feeding a 8-9 Month Old

Feed solids with a spoon. Never put cereal in a bottle.

Tips

Mom new born home

Breast milk and formula feeding:

Around 2-3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months of age, babies may experience a growth spurt when they feed more often.

As they grow babies can hold more milk, so feedings may become further apart and take less time.

To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

Start offering whole milk when your baby is one year old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months and that breastfeeding continue for at least 12 months and beyond.

feeding solid foods

Feeding solid foods:

Wait to offer solid foods until your baby:

  • Can sit up and hold up their own head.
  • Opens their mouth when they see food.
  • Can close their lips around a spoon.

To prevent choking, always hold your baby when feeding. Never prop up a bottle to feed.

Try one new food at a time. Wait 5 days before trying another new food to watch for allergies. Food allergies may include wheezing, rash, or diarrhea.

Introduce peanut butter around 6 months. Spread a small, thin smear of peanut butter or nut butter thinly on a cracker.  Watch your baby for any reaction for the next 2 hours.

Babies under one year should NOT have honey due to the risk of botulism. Also, babies should not have foods that can cause choking like nuts or whole grapes.

All babies are different. Talk with WIC or your baby’s healthcare provider about your baby’s needs.

Feeding Cues

Feeding a 4-5 Month Old

Before teeth come in, wipe gums with a soft, clean wash cloth after each feeding, especially before bed.

Feeding a 0-3 Month Old

Newborns have tiny tummies and need to be fed often. In the first few weeks, you may need to wake your baby to feed if they sleep longer than 4 hours.

Growth Spurts

Many babies are fussy during a growth spurt and will want to nurse longer and more often. This is called cluster feeding. This is your baby’s way of helping you increase your milk supply so that you can keep up with their needs. Remember, the more your baby nurses, the more milk your body makes.

Growth spurts can happen at any time, and every baby is different.

They often happen at these ages:

two-three-weeks

2 to 3 Weeks

6 Weeks

three-months

3 Months

six-months

6 Months

What foods can I get?

Authorized Food List
Authorized Food List

Where can I shop?