5 foods to limit or avoid while breastfeeding

Breast milk is a nutritious food that provides most of the nutrients for the first 6 months of a baby's life. Although the composition of breast milk is tightly controlled by the body, what you eat affects the composition of breast milk.

Fish is a rich source of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), two types of omega-3 fatty acids that are important for brain development in infants, but are hard to find in foods. other foods.
However, some fish and seafood can also contain high levels of mercury, a metal that can be toxic, especially in infants and children, who are more susceptible to mercury poisoning. echo .
Acute exposure to high levels of mercury can permanently affect an infant's central nervous system. As a result, the child may have delayed or impaired development in:
Perception Fine motor skills Language and speech development Visual spatial awareness

Therefore, fish high in mercury should be avoided while breastfeeding, for example:
Bigeye tuna King mackerel Marlin Fish orange roughy Shark Swordfish Tilefish To ensure adequate omega-3 intake while reducing risk of mercury poisoning, in breastfeeding foods, nursing mothers should avoid fish that are high in mercury and should instead consume 8-12 ounces (about 225-340 grams) of fish with high levels of mercury. low mercury levels per week.

It is safe to use herbs and spices like cumin or basil for seasonal foods while breastfeeding.
However, when it comes to herbal supplements and teas, there are some safety concerns, due to the lack of studies in nursing women.

In addition, since herbal supplements are not regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is also the possibility that these supplements may be contaminated with metals. dangerously heavy.
Although many women try supplements to help increase their milk supply, there is insufficient evidence to support the effectiveness of these supplements and most studies do not find any. differences in functional subjects in breast milk production compared with placebo.
It is best to speak with your healthcare provider before taking herbal supplements.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), abstaining from alcohol is the safest option while breastfeeding. However, occasional intake is likely safe, as long as you're cautious about the amount and duration of use.
How much alcohol your baby can drink from breast milk depends on how much alcohol and when you drink it. Research shows that the amount of alcohol in breast milk peaks 30–60 minutes after the last drink. In addition, alcohol can stay in your body for up to 2–3 hours.
Therefore, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC) recommends limiting alcohol intake to one standard drink per day and waiting at least 2 hours after drinking to breastfeed.
One standard drink is equivalent to:
12 ounces (355 mL) beer 5 ounces (125 mL) wine 1.5 ounces (45 mL) spirits High alcohol consumption has been shown to reduce 20 % of breast milk production. Furthermore, frequent drinking in large amounts during breastfeeding is associated with an increased risk of sleep disturbances, delays in psychological skills and even cognitive delays later in life.

Coffee, soda, tea and chocolate are common sources of caffeine. When you consume them, some of that caffeine can pass into breast milk.
This can be problematic, as it is very difficult for babies to break down and get rid of caffeine. As a result, large amounts of caffeine over time can build up in your baby's body, causing irritability and trouble sleeping.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S. CDC), breastfeeding mothers are advised not to consume more than 300 mg of caffeine per day, which is equivalent to two or three cups of coffee.
As energy drinks often contain added vitamins and herbs, in addition to high amounts of caffeine, women who are breastfeeding should avoid these products.

To meet the growing nutritional needs of breastfeeding, it is extremely important for mothers to have a healthy, balanced diet.
Because processed foods are often high in calories, unhealthy fats and added sugars, but low in fiber, vitamins and minerals, these foods are recommended to be eaten as limited as possible. .
Early research has also suggested that a mother's diet while breastfeeding may affect her baby's diet later in life.
Specifically, animal studies have found that the palates of infants exposed to breast milk can influence their eating preferences as they get older.
One study observed that rats born to female rats on a diet high in junk food were more likely to prefer high-fat, high-sugar foods than pups born to Mother rats had a healthy, balanced diet.
Although more human studies are needed, there is concern that frequent exposure of infants to high-fat, high-sugar foods may lead to less healthy eating habits and obesity when older children.
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Article referenced source: healthline.com