Tinyike

Whether you’re a new mom or a seasoned parenting pro, breastfeeding often comes with its fair share of questions. Here are answers to some common inquiries that mothers - new and veteran - may have.

What should my diet be like when I’m breastfeeding?
Just as when you were pregnant, it’s important to eat well while you’re breastfeeding, with plenty of wholesome fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein, and calcium-rich foods. Follow the recommendations charted in the revised Food Guide Pyramid and you’ll be well on your way to giving both you and your baby a nutritious diet.

You’ll also need to drink and eat enough (up to 500 calories more a day) so that your body can make milk. But before you start adding on more calories, talk to your doctor about how many more you should consume every day based on your weight and height.

It’s a good idea to carry a water bottle around wherever you go and drink up, refilling the bottle throughout the day, to make sure you consume adequate liquids.

Does my breastfed baby have an allergy?
A breastfed baby may have an allergy or sensitivity reaction after the mother consumes certain foods or drinks (such as common food allergens like cow’s milk, eggs, nuts and peanuts, etc.). Some signs of such a reaction to food might include:

consistent spitting up or vomiting
apparent belly pain (lots of gas and/or pulling up the knees in pain)
bloody and/or mucousy stools (poop)
If you think your baby has had an allergic or sensitivity reaction to food, call your child’s doctor and avoid eating or drinking anything your little one can’t seem to tolerate. It may also be a good idea to keep a journal of exactly what you eat and drink every day, along with any reactions your baby may have, which could help both you and your child’s doctor pinpoint what the problem food, or foods, may be.

Are there certain things I shouldn’t eat when I’m breastfeeding?
Every baby is different. Whereas some mothers may discover that their little ones get gassy or fussy after they eat beans, cauliflower, or broccoli, others may be able to tolerate those foods just fine. And some women can attest that their babies don’t seem to like the taste of their breast milk after their mothers eat spicy foods. Again, other babies may not skip a suck, even if Mom’s just downed a Mexican meal chock full of red-hot chili peppers.

However, foods that nursing moms should steer clear of are peanuts and peanut butter. It’s now suggested that breastfeeding mothers should not eat peanuts or peanut butter - or much of either.

Also, if you’re noticing a pattern (of fussiness, gassiness, colicky behavior, etc.), it may help to keep track of exactly what you eat and how your baby reacts to it each time, then talk to your child’s doctor. He or she may suggest eliminating the possibly offending food (such as dairy products - a common allergen) from your diet for a few days to see if there’s any change.

Can breastfeeding women drink alcohol?
Unlike when you’re pregnant, you can have an occasional drink or two as a breastfeeding mother without causing any harm to your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) indicates that one or two drinks a week is not harmful.

The amount of alcohol in breast milk depends on the amount of alcohol in the blood. It takes anywhere from 60 to 90 minutes from the consumption of a drink to when alcohol appears in the breast milk and about 2 to 3 hours after a drink for the alcohol to be metabolized and no longer be a concern for nursing.

If you do plan to drink more than a few (preferably after breastfeeding’s been established for about a month), you can “pump and dump” - pump your milk and then throw it away. Do not give your baby breast milk, from your breast or a bottle, for at least 2 to 3 hours for every drink of alcohol you consumed.

Can breastfeeding women have caffeine?
As with pregnancy, it’s best to limit the amount of caffeine you consume while breastfeeding. One or two cups of coffee a day are fine, but remember that the more caffeine you drink (tea, soda, coffee), the more it may affect your baby’s mood and/or sleep.

Reviewed by: Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: August 2005