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Breastfeeding? No Need for Diet Rules

breastfeeding-en-QR
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




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SIDE-LYING HOLD

Side-Lying Hold

  1. For the right breast, lie on your right side with your baby facing you.
  2. Pull your baby close. Your baby’s mouth should be level with your nipple.
  3. In this position, you can cradle your baby’s back with your left arm and support yourself with your right arm and/or pillows.
  4. Keep loose clothing and bedding away from your baby.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You want to rest while baby feeds
  • You are breastfeeding in the middle of the night
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CROSS-CRADLE HOLD

Cross-Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, use your left arm to hold your baby’s head at your right breast and baby’s body toward your left side. A pillow across your lap can help support your left arm.
  2. Gently place your left hand behind your baby’s ears and neck, with your thumb and index finger behind each ear and your palm between baby’s shoulder blades. Turn your baby’s body toward yours so your tummies are touching.
  3. Hold your breast as if you are squeezing a sandwich. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  4. As your baby’s mouth opens, push gently with your left palm on baby’s head to help them latch on. Make sure you keep your fingers out of the way.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is premature
  • Your baby has a weak suck
  • Your baby needs help to stay latched
  • Your baby needs extra head support
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CLUTCH OR “FOOTBALL” HOLD

Clutch or “Football” Hold

  1. For the right breast, hold your baby level, facing up, at your right side.
  2. Put your baby’s head near your right nipple and support their back and legs under your right arm.
  3. Hold the base of your baby’s head with your right palm. A pillow underneath your right arm can help support your baby’s weight.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Bring baby to you instead.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • You had a C-section
  • You have large breasts
  • You have flat or inverted nipples
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You are breastfeeding twins
  • Your baby likes to feed in an upright position
  • Your baby has reflux
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
CRADLE HOLD

Cradle Hold

  1. For the right breast, cradle your baby with your right arm. Your baby will be on their left side across your lap, facing you at nipple level.
  2. Your baby’s head will rest on your right forearm with your baby’s back along your inner arm and palm.
  3. Turn your baby’s tummy toward your tummy. Your left hand is free to support your breast, if needed. Pillows can help support your arm and elbow.
  4. To protect your back, avoid leaning down to your baby. Instead, bring your baby to you.
  5. Reverse for the left breast.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby needs help latching on
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position
Laid-Back Hold

Laid-Back Hold

  1. Lean back on a pillow with your baby’s tummy touching yours and their head at breast level. Some moms find that sitting up nearly straight works well. Others prefer to lean back and lie almost flat.
  2. You can place your baby’s cheek near your breast, or you may want to use one hand to hold your breast near your baby. It’s up to you and what you think feels best.
  3. Your baby will naturally find your nipple, latch, and begin to suckle.

This hold is useful when:

  • Your baby is placed on your chest right after birth
  • You have a strong milk let-down
  • You have large breasts
  • You and your baby are comfortable in this position