Why Is Breastfeeding Important? Foods to Avoid During Breastfeeding

📩 21/08/2021 15:12

Dietitian and Life Coach Tuğba Yaprak gave information about the subject. The most effective factor in the healthy growth of your baby is undoubtedly its nutrition. Breast milk, which is the main nutritional source of the baby in the first 6 months, is considered the gold standard in infant nutrition thanks to the protective and beneficial compounds it contains.

In addition to the numerous benefits of breast milk for your baby, breastfeeding also has positive effects on the mother's own health, such as heart disease, diabetes risks, and reducing stress. The breastfeeding period, which also has the effect of increasing the metabolic rate, is a great opportunity to get rid of your postpartum weight!

What should be considered during breastfeeding?

Another factor that indicates the importance of proper nutrition in this period is that the flavoring components in the foods eaten by breastfeeding mothers appear in their milk within one to two hours and can be decisive on the foods that the baby will be inclined towards when they start complementary foods. However, it is important to be aware of foods that can affect the baby's health and milk supply when consumed in large quantities during breastfeeding. Apart from this, stress should be avoided during this period as it negatively affects the amount of milk. Plenty of water consumption is of great importance as the content of milk is mostly water.

Foods to avoid while breastfeeding

We talked about the importance of nutrition during breastfeeding, let's examine the foods that can negatively affect this period;

• Caffeine

As long as you limit your caffeine intake to no more than three cups of caffeinated beverages a day, it is not a problem for the mother and baby. However, even in low doses, it can negatively affect your baby's sleep and cause irritability. For this reason, you may prefer to take caffeine in the hours after your breastfeeding process is over.

• Alcohol

Alcohol, like caffeine, passes into your bloodstream and into your breast milk, so its intake can make babies (especially newborns) nervous.

• The fish

Although fish consumption is generally recommended in the daily diet due to its high protein and low fat content, care should be taken as it may contain traces of mercury, which may cause problems with brain development, speech, coordination, attention, memory and learning in the baby.

• Mint-Parsley-Sage

High doses of these herbs are known to reduce breast milk production. There is no negative effect when consumed in small amounts. Herbs such as rosemary and thyme may have a similar effect. Consumption of sage should be avoided while studies continue that mint and parsley consumption will not cause problems unless it is in large quantities.

• Some vegetables

It is important that you stay away from some vegetables that are known to cause gas formation, such as leeks, cauliflower, radishes and cabbage, so that your baby does not have gas problems.

• Hot pepper

Strong flavored foods such as garlic, hot pepper and other spices should be consumed with caution, as they can alter the taste of breast milk.

• Herbal teas

Since there is insufficient evidence about the effects of herbal tea consumption on the baby during pregnancy and lactation, its consumption should be avoided.

• Gas producing foods

Since legumes such as dry beans, chickpeas, kidney beans are a source of vegetable protein, as well as having gas-forming properties, you can take a break for a while if they cause uneasiness in your baby. You can reduce this possibility by not consuming the water you boiled while consuming legumes.

Apart from all these, you should stay away from any food that you experience symptoms such as gas, pain, crying, rash, diarrhea in your baby after consumption.