Breastfeeding can be extremely rewarding, but it can also be challenging. And it's made even harder because there is all sorts of advice out there, much of it contradicting - so for new parents trying to figure it all out and do the best thing for their baby, it makes it hard to know what's right and what is outdated or poor advice. So - is there actually anything you should avoid or do differently while you're feeding your little one?
How is breastmilk made?
Before looking at what to avoid, it's handy to know how breastmilk is made, so you can understand why certain advice might exist - and spot questionable advice when it's presented to you. Breastmilk is made from water and nutrients pulled from your bloodstream, stored in the breast, and released when stimulation (such as baby suckling) stimulates oxytocin which ejects the milk for your baby.
What food should I avoid while breastfeeding?
Old wives' tales will recommend avoiding everything from broccoli to onion to spicy foods, but does that actually have any merit? What we do know is that food sensitivities in babies can be caused by proteins consumed by the person making the milk - so you may notice that when you eat dairy, eggs, wheat, or any other food, that your baby is more unsettled or harder to soothe. But the majority of babies will not experience these types of sensitivities, so it's not recommended to eliminate foods from your diet unless you suspect certain triggers and you're working with health professionals to pinpoint those issues.
So for most women breastfeeding, avoiding foods or food groups while feeding is not necessary.
Alcohol and breastfeeding
Alcohol and breastfeeding can be a minefield of controversial opinions, especially in online forums! The Australian Breastfeeding Association recommends avoiding breastfeeding while alcohol is present in your milk. They suggest timing your consumption around feeds if you want to partake, or feeding your baby preciously expressed milk while you consume alcohol. They have developed the FeedSafe app to help feeding parents gauge when their milk may be completely free from alcohol.
Supplements and medications while breastfeeding
Many supplements and medications are safe for lactating people and their babies, but some have either not been tested or have been tested and are not safe for one or either party. Always check labels before trying something new, and check with an experienced pharmacist if you're not sure.
The contraceptive pill and breastfeeding
The combination pill uses a hormone that can affect your breast milk production. This is known to doctors and pharmacists and they will ask you whether you are nursing before prescribing the pill. There are many alternatives available, and you should discuss these with your healthcare provider.At the end of the day, you know your baby best, and you will be able to figure out whether something you're consuming is affecting your little one. If you're struggling to figure it out, you could try keeping a food or medication diary, where you record times of consumption, feeding times, and symptom times - it can help find any patterns, and can be useful to take to a lactation or allergy specialist when seeking support. It might feel challenging in the moment, but many parents experience this and come through the other side with their feeding relationship thriving, so if it's something that feels right to you, seek supportive healthcare professionals and get quality advice tailored to you and your baby.