Having a healthy diet while a mother is breastfeeding is extremely important for the baby’s health. The mother’s diet during breastfeeding should be regulated and maintained for the comfort of the baby, because a mother who is ingesting certain foods can pass those on to her newborn.
According to pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon, a baby’s intestinal tracks can become irritated when the mother drinks cows milk, sheep or goats milk while breastfeeding. The amino acids in the animal milk can upset the digestive tract of the baby and can cause serious gas, bloating and discomfort.
Some babies are also sensitive to wheat, soy, eggs, peanuts, and other allergens. In order to determine these irritants, Dr. Gordon suggests breastfeeding mothers should begin by eating a very simple diet that avoids all common irritants, and if necessary, slowly add the foods one by one over a period of time. This will help the mother notice any changes in the baby’s behavior and health, and will help to discover any allergens to be avoided in the future.
Additional evidence has supported that breastfeeding is one of the best things a mother can do to help her baby avoid severe allergies later in life. Pediatrician Dr. Ronald Ferdman explains that babies who are breastfed for at least 4-6 months have a lowered chance of developing severe allergies, or allergies will occur later in life rather than as a young child. This is great news for mothers who worry about allergens, because they can take preventative steps to ensure their baby is less vulnerable to allergens.
For the safety of the baby, it’s essential for breastfeeding mothers to avoid alcohol or drink alcohol only in moderation. Lactation consultant Wendy Haldeman explains that alcohol is absorbed and transferred to the baby through breast milk. She says that whatever amount of alcohol is going to be absorbed into your blood and therefore into your milk will peak in about 60 to 90 minutes. The blood alcohol level is equivalent to the milk alcohol level, so mothers should leave ample time in between consuming alcohol and breastfeeding their baby. If a woman would like to consume more than a single drink, it’s better to pump and have milk prepared so the baby can stay on a regular feeding schedule. Then the mother can also pump out any milk she has produced while drinking.
Breastfeeding Diet Plan: http://www.kidsinthehouse.com/baby/breastfeeding/mothers-diet/breastfeeding-diet-plan
I am definitely going to breastfeed my baby if I'm able to so this is great advice for me!
I think it's important to avoid alcohol altogether while breastfeeding just to be safe.