You are what you eat!
Your diet can ultimately affect your baby through your breastmilk, but in most cases it’s a matter of taste. Your baby won’t be used to strong flavours that you might enjoy and if you’re drinking excessive caffeine or alcohol this could act as a stimulant for your baby.
Foods you might want to avoid eating
A lot of moms say that you should steer clear of or limit spicy, strongly flavoured, rich or very acidic foods. The truth is every baby is different, so see how yours responds after feeding. But here are a few foods that may affect your baby:
• Hot, spicy curries – these may cause you and your baby some digestive discomfort and wind.
• Caffeine – it can wake you up if you’re feeling tired out, but it can mean your baby has difficulty sleeping, too.
• Dairy products, onions, cabbage and brussel sprouts may all give your baby wind and make colic , worse.
Is your baby allergic to something you’ve eaten?
If your baby has an upset stomach or rash after feeding, they may be allergic to something you’ve eaten. Cows’ milk, nuts, wheat, fish and eggs are just some foods which can cause an allergic reaction. If this happens, avoid the food or drink that you think might have caused the problem for a few days. Then try it again and watch for any reactions. However, if anyone in your family has a nut allergy, it’s advisable to just avoid nuts completely. Many moms find that keeping a food diary makes it much easier to track how their baby responds after each feed.
Drinking alcohol and breastfeeding
Try to avoid alcohol. If you do drink, leave it a few hours before you feed your baby. This will allow the alcohol to work its way out of your bloodstream.
Drinking plenty of fluids (about 12 glasses of water a day) will help stop you dehydrating and keep a reliable milk supply for your baby.