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Suggested Menu for Moms While Breastfeeding
The Scoop on Strong Flavors
There are no specific foods you must avoid while breastfeeding. Most women find they can eat whatever they like, including spicy foods, cabbage and chocolate. Some strongly flavored foods may change the taste of your milk, but babies seem to enjoy a variety of breast milk flavors! Occasionally, your baby may be fussy at the breast after you eat a particular food. If you notice a pattern, simply avoid that food.
Moderate caffeine intake is fine, but too much can interfere with your baby's sleep or make her fussy. Remember that caffeine is found in some sodas, teas and over-the-counter medicines as well as in coffee.
Having an occasional social drink will not hurt your baby, but it may make her sleepier than usual. While this may sound tempting to a sleep-deprived mother, over time it can lead to poor feeding and inadequate weight gain. Moderate or heavy drinking is definitely not recommended while breastfeeding.
If your baby has allergy symptoms (such as eczema, fussiness, congestion or diarrhea), they may be caused by something she is contacting directly such as soap or mildew, or she may be reacting to foods you eat and she comes in contact with via your breast milk. It usually requires a bit of detective work to figure out exactly what is causing the sensitivity. If you think that something you're eating is causing problems for your baby, then omit that food from your diet. If avoiding the food causes a nutritional imbalance (for example, if you eliminate all dairy products) then see a nutritionist for advice on substituting other foods or taking nutritional supplements.
Remember to consult your doctor about how any medications you are taking may affect you and your baby while breastfeeding.
Source: BabyCenter.com
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