Most breastfeeding women can eat any foods that they want without any ill effects to their baby, but occasionally a baby will be fussy at the breast or gassy after you eat a particular food.  If you think that something you're eating is causing problems for your baby, it's usually something you've eaten two to six hours before feeding. 

If you think that a particular food is giving your baby gas or making him irritable, avoid that food for a few days.  To test whether that food really was the cause, reintroduce it once and see if there's an effect.  Here are some foods that mothers have reported to cause gas or irritability in some babies.

• Dairy (cow’s milk, yogurt, cheese, ice cream)
• Chocolate
• Spices (cinnamon, garlic, curry, chili pepper)
• Citrus fruits and their juices, like oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruit
• Strawberries, kiwifruit, pineapple
• Veggies (onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers)
• And fruits with a laxative effect, such as cherries and prunes.

A daily cup or two of coffee is fine, but too much caffeine can interfere with your baby's sleep or make him fussy. Remember that caffeine is also found in some sodas, teas, and over-the-counter medicines.

Most women will be able to re-introduce food back into their diet as their baby gets older.  Breastfeeding moms should always continue taking prenatal vitamins for the duration of breastfeeding. 

If you have any questions, please call our office. 

If there is a topic that you would like more info on, email shellynp@totdoc.com