The breastfeeding diet guidelines?

[camstar]

I wanted some advice on what I can and can't eat. Apparently I'm not ment to eat stawberries or mango :mad: somone tell me this isn't true.......please! . Is there any thing else? Does anyone have any good enriching the breastmilk recipes? What's your favourite snack? :)

[Crazyfamily]

Hi there,
I have five children and all were breastfed and my favourite fruits are mango and strawberries, I eat them and I was also told that I shouldn't (by my friends mum) . I asked about it even tho I thought it sounded strange and was told it is fine to eat them. I was told I could eat anything I want as long as I have a good balanced diet.

[mimi]

Hi Camstar

The Australian Breastfeeding Association's reply to you question:-

DO I HAVE TO EAT OR DRINK PARTICULAR FOODS?
There are no magic foods which will increase the milk supply - a sensible balanced diet is the key. It is a good idea to avoid those foods which upset you or to which other family members are allergic.
You can check out many other interesting bits on their web site at
http://www.breastfeeding.asn.au/bfinfo/index.html

I understand that higher protein foods do improve the 'quality' of your breastmilk, if you think baby is being 'unsatisfied' by her feeds [??] but I think really as the ABA states 'balanced diet is the key'! You can increase your supply by breastfeeding - the old supply by demand!

I don't think you need bother about avoiding anything in particular - unless of course you discovered that your baby was having a bad reaction to some food you were eating. Strangely enough, though mums can usually eat most things without a problem, cow's milk often causes upset in exclusively breastfed babies [colicky or reflux symptoms] and then has to be avoided - in all forms- by the breastfeeding mum. Having had to do this myself, believe me, it is easier said than done [but worth it!].

So I think 'Eat and Enjoy!' ... and just see how it goes!!

:)

[draught]

Mimi's advice is spot on. I found that if I ate more foods high in animal protein (sardines, pate, sausages, chicken, meat, meat, meat.......) my baby was more settled, especially at the end of the day. I have eaten chilli, garlic, cabbage, and all the other foods that people say you should stay away from and my babies have never been affected. So - eat what you want (in moderation of course) and watch your baby for reaction - every child is different!!

[madvoice]

I have been eating most everything that I normally eat and Raleigh hasn't been affected. I had laksa for lunch the week before last and it didn't change her demeanour one bit.

[draught]

Hey Madvoice - was it a laksa from the Rendevous cafe or one from Parap markets? I swear that Darwin laksas are the best in the world..........(can you pick an ex-Darwinian??) :D

[madvoice]

It was actually a Laksa from The Happy Garden take away in Parap. I must agree though, the Parap markets Laksas are the best :)

[LyndalT]

I was wondering the same thing.. so we can still eat chocolate?? i have been avoiding it!. I s'pose its ok in moderation!

[draught]

I think it is another case of personal choice and individual babies - I had a friend who swore that her baby pooed green whenever the mother ate chocolate. Personally I munch down far too much of the brown stuff (taking advantage of the fact that breast feeding makes me lose lots of weight) and it seems to have no effect on my babies.

[Briannabear]

I think the main thing to do is drink heaps of water! It will help your milk flow heaps!
My hubby and I have a really healthy diet, mainly fresh vegies and lean meat. At first I found that garlic, cauliflower, onion, and cabbage would affect her; but now it doesnt bother her at all!
I think that you can pretty much stick to your normal diet (not too much caffine though) and you'll be fine! After all, what do you think that mums in countries who eat lots of curries and spices do!! :D

Happy eating! :)

[wattle]

I made deliciously rich chocolate puddings with chocolate sauce the other night. They tasted awesome but ds was up nearly all night giggling! It was funny for the first little while, but I don't think I'll be doing that again. We need our sleep too much.