List of Foods Not to Eat When Breastfeeding

Although having a healthy diet during pregnancy is important, mothers should continue with good nutrition while breastfeeding. According to WebMD.com, the food and substances a mother chooses to ingest can affect the quality of breast milk, and avoiding certain foods at this time can result in both healthier mothers and babies.

Alcohol

Although experts are divided on the subject, drinking alcohol while breastfeeding may cause problems to both the mother and baby. According to WebMD.com, mothers who drink can have a problem "letting down," or getting milk to flow easily, as alcohol affects the hormone that causes milk flow. Also, babies may detect the scent of alcohol in breast milk and refuse to nurse. WebMD.com states that mothers nursing should limit alcohol intake to one or two drinks occasionally and should wait at least two hours after an alcoholic drink to begin breastfeeding.

Caffeine

Caffeine can affect a baby the same way it affects an adult. WebMD.com writes that caffeine can cause symptoms of nervousness, edginess, irritability and insomnia in babies who ingest breast milk containing caffeine. Breastfeeding mothers should limit the amount of caffeine and consider cutting foods like coffee, cola and chocolate from their diet to reduce the risk of negatively affecting their babies.

Fish

Eating certain types of fish while breastfeeding can be dangerous, as some fish contain high levels of mercury. Mothers who are nursing should avoid eating shark, swordfish, king mackerel and tilefish. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggests that mothers should limit their intake of canned, light tuna and other cooked fish, like salmon and rainbow trout, to 12 oz. a week.

Junk Food

WebMD states that adding empty calories to your diet from sugary snack foods will not help the mother or baby. Instead, complex carbohydrates found in fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, apples, berries and melons, are a healthy substitute for junk food. Breastfeeding mothers should also increase the amount of whole grains in their diets by eating whole-wheat bread and brown rice.