Breastmilk is one of the most precious gifts you can provide your baby.
Not only does breastfeeding provide an opportunity for you to bond with your baby but the milk offers unmatched nourishment.
However, what a mom puts into her body affects the quality of the milk she produces.
Therefore it’s important to constantly be aware of what you are consuming and when you do so.
Here’s a look at some things breastfeeding moms should avoid or at least limit.
1. Alcohol
First up is alcohol. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skipping booze completely is the safest move while breastfeeding.
Having said that, the occasional drink is probably fine if you’re careful about how much and when.
Alcohol in breast milk peaks about 30 to 60 minutes after you drink, and it can stick around for two to three hours for just one drink.
The more you drink, the longer it takes to leave your system.
The CDC suggests sticking to one standard drink a day and waiting at least two hours before breastfeeding. What’s a standard drink?
355 ml of beer
125 ml of wine
45 ml of hard liquor
A glass of wine is fine.
2. Caffeine
If you love coffee you don’t have to give it up entirely.
A little caffeine passes into your breast milk, but it usually doesn’t bother your baby if you stick to a low to moderate amount.
The CDC says about 300 mg a day (2–3 cups of coffee) is a good limit.
But if you’re hitting the caffeine hard (like 10+ cups a day), your baby might get fussy, jittery, or have trouble sleeping.
And if you’ve got a preemie or a very young baby, you might want to cut back even more since they process caffeine more slowly.
Pay attention to how your baby reacts. If they seem more cranky or restless after you’ve had coffee, maybe ease up a bit.
Drink coffee in moderation.
3. Seafood
Fish is great because it’s full of protein and nutrients.
But not all seafood is created equal when you’re breastfeeding.
Some fish contain mercury, which can sneak into your milk and harm your baby’s brain and nervous system.
Here’s a quick list of fish you shouldn’t eat because they’re super high in mercury according to the FDA: Bigeye tuna, Tilefish, Shar, Swordfish, Marlin and King mackerel.
On the flip side, sushi is generally fine while breastfeeding, as long as you’re eating it from a good place with high-quality fish.
When in doubt, ask the staff about their seafood sources.
