If you are a new mom and you choose to breastfeed your baby, then it is recommended that you follow a type of diet that is beneficial not only for you but also for the baby. Keep in mind that your health is of great importance now, as it may help you produce healthy breast milk, or not. Read this article to learn more about the ideal dietary solutions for breastfeeding mothers like you.
Elimination diet for breastfeeding moms
The elimination diet refers to a special diet that you can try if you fear that the foods and drinks you are taking may adversely affect your baby. This method still allows you to choose foods from all the food groups, but it is recommended that you create some changes in what you eat and drink based on the health problems that your child regularly faces. If you are considering using elimination when dieting, you need to become more familiar with the foods to avoid. These include dairy products including cream, butter, milk or milk fat, whey protein, and lactose, as they can trigger acid reflux or digestive problems in your baby. Other foods that you should consider eliminating from your diet are chocolate, eggs, wheat, soybeans, corn, citrus fruits, cornstarch, alcohol, acidic foods, and caffeine, as these can also negatively affect To a baby.
Dairy-Free Diet for Breastfeeding Moms
A dairy-free diet can also help if you are breastfeeding your baby, as you can expect this diet to keep your baby safe from allergies, digestive problems, and acid reflux. The first items you should consider cutting out from your diet are milk, yogurt, ice cream, and cheese, as they have the highest dairy content. Other dairy-rich foods include sour cream, butter, pudding, cookies, chocolate chips, crackers, cereal, pizza, powdered hot chocolate, potatoes and nachos, smoothies, sandwiches and granola bars, and Italian and Mexican foods. The following foods are safe for you when you try a dairy-free diet for your baby:
• Whole grains and bagels
• Sandwich meats
• Soy coffee cream
• Frozen fruit bars
• Frozen rice milk desserts
• Soy-based margarines
• Plain taco chips
• Whole-grain foods
• Vegan foods
• Smoothies that do not contain ice cream or yogurt
Foods and substances to avoid while breastfeeding
If you have decided to breastfeed your baby, then it is important that you avoid foods and substances that can harm you and / or your baby. These include the following:
1. Chocolate. Consuming this can negatively affect your baby as it contains caffeine that can trigger sleep disturbances. Eating chocolate can cause your child to lose sleep or have difficulty falling asleep.
2. Alcohol and caffeine. Your nursing baby tends to get a small amount of whatever it is he or she is drinking through breast milk. This is the main reason why you should avoid coffee and alcohol as much as possible.
3. Dairy products. These should be avoided because they can cause acid reflux and allergies.
4. Spicy foods. These include chili, onion, cinnamon, curry, and red pepper. You should avoid them because they are hard on the digestive system. These foods can cause a baby to suffer from diarrhea, vomiting, and an upset stomach.
Vitamins and minerals to incorporate into your daily diet
As a breastfeeding mother, you need to make sure you are getting the right amount of vitamins and minerals to keep you and your baby healthy. You must ensure that your daily diet includes the following vitamins and minerals:
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin B1 (thiamine)
• Riboflavin
• Niacin
• Folate
• Pyridoxine
• Calcium
• Zinc
• Iron
Breastfeeding diet for fizzy babies
If you’re breastfeeding a gassy baby, it’s best to know exactly what you need to eat and what to avoid to reduce gas. Among the safest foods to eat when breastfeeding a gassy baby are rice, non-gassing fruits and vegetables, lean protein, and soy. It is also important that you take note of foods that tend to cause gas and avoid them. These include foods high in sugar and fat, spicy foods, dairy products, cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, caffeine, and acidic foods.
Breastfeeding diet to increase milk supply
To increase your breast milk supply, you need to eat certain foods. These include tropical fruits like peaches, avocado, cantaloupe, and cantaloupe, yellow vegetables like squash, carrots, and sweet potatoes, brown rice, barley, oatmeal, apricots, asparagus, green beans, parsley, watercress, walnuts, and dandelion leaves. It should also be noted that although there are foods that increase breast milk, there are also those that decrease it and these include mint, spearmint, oregano, sage, cabbage and alcoholic beverages. You should avoid them as much as possible if you want to maximize your milk supply.
