Question

What foods should I avoid when I am breast feeding?

Answer

When you are breast feeding, a healthy diet is important for both you and your baby.

Here is some advice on what to eat and what to avoid.

  • Alcohol can pass into your breast milk, so have no more than one to two units, once or twice a week
  • Caffeine could affect your baby's feeding, sleeping and digestion. Try to drink tea, coffee and cola only occasionally or you may want to try decaffeinated versions
  • New advice from the Department of Health states that if mums-to-be would like to eat peanuts or foods containing peanuts during pregnancy or breastfeeding, then they can choose to do so as part of a healthy balanced diet. This is irrespective of whether they have a family history of allergies (although mums with a peanut allergy should, of course, avoid peanuts and foods containing peanuts)

Limit the amount of oily fish you eat to no more than two portions a week, or one portion of shark, swordfish or marlin. These fish may contain pollutants that could affect your baby if eaten in large amounts

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