(lactation activist)
A Motherlode of Breastfeeding Information
Breastfeeding Nutrition
There is not one perfect diet for a breastfeeding mother. It is well known that women around the world with poor nutrition successfully breastfeed their infants. Nature has created a very effective system that has helped humans to thrive for millennia. Although you want to strive to eat the best diet possible, in reality that just doesn't happen. Eat the most nutritious diet that you can and trust that the breastfeeding system works to ensure proper health for the baby. There are many myths that surround the breastfeeding diet. "Don't eat spicy food it will make the baby gassy" can be heard from many a concerned grandparent. There are no foods that are forbidden for a breastfeeding mother. Every mother and baby combination are different and are sensitive to different foods. Many babies are not at all sensitive to what a mother eats.
There are only a very few medical reasons that a baby wouldn't be able to breastfeed. Galactosemia is the primary one. This is a metabolic disorder which makes the baby incapable of digesting breastmilk. This is a rare condition that is tested for with the Newborn Screening. Many mothers are told that their baby is "allergic" to breastmilk. This just isn't the case. A baby can be allergic to food that is passing through your milk. Usually the culprit is cow's milk protein, which does indeed enter the breastmilk. This is remedied by cutting dairy out of your diet. Another common myth is that you must drink milk to make milk. In fact, humans are the only species that drinks the milk of another species. There are many valuable sources of calcium that are much more absorbable than the calcium in cow's milk. If your baby is having colic symptoms, they can often be traced to cow's milk sensitivity. An elimination diet removing all dairy products for at least two weeks is recommended. DO NOT STOP BREASTFEEDING. If your baby does have sensitivity or allergies to cow's milk or soy, then switching to formula will only cause more problems. Babies with allergies are especially in need of the immunoglobulins in breastmilk.
Water is very important to the breastfeeding relationship, but again it is not vital. Many women around the world successfully breastfeed with inadequate and unsanitary water conditions. For these babies, formula would be a death sentence as water is essential to the process of formula feeding. Water can help to increase your milk supply. Water alone can head off the "inadequate supply" cycle. It can also help your overall health. When your nutrition is poor, the one who suffers is you not your baby. Continuing to take your prenatal vitamin during your lactational period is a good idea.
Don't let anyone tell you that in order to breastfeed you have to follow a strict diet. It just isn't true. Making breastmilk uses about 1,000 calories per day. This will cause your hunger level to increase. If you follow your instincts and eat healthy, nutritious foods when you are hungry, you and your baby will thrive.
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DISCLAIMER: This web site is designed for educational purposes only. You should not rely on this information as a substitute for medical attention, or diagnosis. If you are having breastfeeding difficulties, please contact an IBCLC near you for assistance. If you have any questions consult your family's health care provider. In some instances, the information represents opinion or judgment. Neither the information providers nor the Site owner guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information in this website nor will they be responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. The Site owner and the information providers will not be liable or responsible to any person(s) for any loss or damage caused whatsoever by the use of information or ideas referenced in this web site. Your participation in this service therefore is solely at your own risk.