Foods To Avoid For Nursing Mothers
As with expectant mothers, breastfeeding women should pay attention to their diet. There are certain foods that nursing mothers should avoid because they are not good for the baby. In this article, we tell you what foods to avoid for a breastfeeding mother and why.
It is not necessary for a breastfeeding mother to eat in front of two, as the old recommendation goes. It is important to monitor your eating, and make sure your diet is varied and includes all the necessary nutrients.
A healthy diet for a breastfeeding mother
A breastfeeding mother should follow a so-called strong diet . This includes, for example, fried eggs, omelet, fresh or dried fruit, nuts, ham and chicken.
The diet should be varied and the mother should ensure adequate intake of vitamins D and C as well as good fats. It is also good to eat healthy snacks. A good option is, for example, a cream cheese sandwich with tea. For dinner, you should enjoy a large amount of vegetables.
Eating too much can be harmful as it can cause liver and heart damage. If the mother has a habit of eating too much, it is a good time to change her eating habits when breastfeeding begins.
The diet is good to consist of a wide variety of fats, vegetables, legumes, fruits, meat, soups, chicken, fish, dairy products and other important foods – and to a lesser extent also sweet foods.
Contrary to popular belief, a breastfeeding mother does not need to consume more dairy products to produce breast milk. Milk production is a complex process consisting of completely different components.
It is a good idea for a breastfeeding mother to discuss her diet with a doctor or nurse. These experts know how to determine which foods a mother should avoid and what to include in her diet.
The daily diet of a breastfeeding mother
It can be difficult to know how to put together a healthy diet and how much of any food to eat. Breastfeeding mothers are advised to eat the foods listed below daily:
- Bread: 400 grams
- Meat: 170 grams
- Milk: 400 grams
- Soup: 250 grams
- Sugar: 20 grams
- Fresh vegetables: 500 grams
- Fruit: 200 grams
- Fatty cheese: 40 grams
Foods to avoid for breastfeeding mothers
Below we present the main foods to avoid for a breastfeeding mother.
Beans
Chickpeas and beans, among others, are included in this list. Breastfeeding mothers should avoid these products as they may interfere with the baby’s intestinal function.
Citrus fruits
Examples of citrus fruits include orange, mandarin, lemon and grapefruit. They are detrimental to your baby’s digestive function and can cause heartburn. On the other hand, citrus fruits are rich in vitamins.
Spicy foods
Breastfeeding mothers should avoid eating too spicy foods as they interfere with the functioning of the internal organs. For example, such foods can make it difficult for a baby to defecate, which can result in very painful symptoms.
Onions
While avoiding an onion while breastfeeding may seem like a special idea, it’s worth it. Eating an onion can affect your mood and cause problems in your baby’s emotional development. Onions cause colic and irritability in some babies.
Some people think that onions do not make the baby uncomfortable, but on the contrary are a healthy food because of the polysaccharides, flavonoids, fructans and other nutrients they contain.
Broccoli and cauliflower
These vegetables can cause irritating cramps to your baby. Many believe asparagus and cauliflower affect the taste of breast milk, but in reality, the baby does not notice such a change.
Coffee
It is a good idea for breastfeeding mothers to avoid caffeinated coffee, which interferes with the baby’s sleep rhythm. This can lead to insomnia problems and the baby’s nervousness when the normal development of the brain is disrupted.
Dark-fleshed fish
Eating dark-fleshed fish should be avoided until the baby is 1.5 years old. Caution can be used to reduce the risk of developing allergies.
While all breastfeeding mothers should avoid certain foods, it is good to keep in mind that every mother is different and every body responds differently to different diets.
It is a good idea for a breastfeeding mother to consult an expert to formulate the right diet. The expert will also consider the needs of the baby. There is a lot of information about diets available on the internet, but it is always good to get an expert opinion from a doctor.
