Question

Is my baby affected by the foods I eat when I am breast feeding?

Answer

Some babies can react badly to certain foods and drinks that pass from their mother's diet into the breast milk, becoming unsettled, colicky and windy. Common culprits are alcohol, caffeine and wind-inducing fruit and vegetables such as onions, beans, broccoli, cabbage and grapes.

If you suspect your baby is reacting to something you eat, avoid that food for a few days to see if their symptoms improve. But you should not cut out large groups of foods, for example all dairy or all wheat, without speaking to your GP or healthcare professional first.

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