Breastfeeding can be challenging for anyone, especially in the first few weeks. Many new parents and caregivers experience such stress that they forget to eat, but do not fret, you are not alone. Most breastfeeding mothers can eat a variety of foods without their babies being harmed. However, each circumstance is unique. Consult your baby's doctor to determine whether your diet or something else may be to blame if you notice that your baby becomes fussy, restless, or gassy after eating a specific food. 

To give you a headstart, we compiled a list of food to avoid while breastfeeding your little one, let’s explore more below.

Foods to Avoid While Breastfeeding

Before we skip to what foods to avoid while breastfeeding, let’s have a look at which ingredients are recommended while breastfeeding first. When breastfeeding, specific nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium, and vitamins A and D are especially helpful. Consuming a wide range of foods is also crucial because it will expose the baby to various flavors and may make them more receptive to solid foods later on.

When breastfeeding, try to include the following foods in each meal:

1. Fruits and vegetables such as: 

• cantaloupe
• honeydew melon
• bananas
• mangoes
• apricots
• prunes
• oranges
• red or pink grapefruitspinach
• cooked greens, such as kale and collards
• carrots
• sweet potatoes
• pumpkin
• tomatoes
• red sweet peppers

1. Grains: such as bread and rice
2. Protein:

• beans and peas
• nuts and seeds
• lean beef, pork, and lamb
• oysters, crab, and mussels
• salmon, herring, pollock, sardines, and trout

• Natural cheese
• Yogurt
• Milk

Foods to avoid while breastfeeding is as below:
1. Avoid fish with high mercury:

• Shark
• Bigeye tuna
• Swordfish
• Tilefish from the Gulf of Mexico
• Marlin
• Shark
• King mackerel
• Orange roughy

2. Alcohol 
3. Too much chocolate, caffeine herbs, herbal tea
4. Highly processed foods
5. Certain spices or foods such as garlic, and onion.

There is no single diet that is perfect for all breastfeeding women. As long as you have healthy habits and a balanced diet without overdoing anything, you and your little one will be fine.

Always remember that the health of a baby’s mother frequently affects that child's health as well. Therefore breastfeeding mothers or caregivers should always make sure they have the necessary physical and emotional resources to care for the baby by practicing self-care first. If you have doubts or feel something is not working out for your baby, making them fussy, gassy, or uncomfortable in any way, consult your pediatrician to make sure you keep your diet balanced while your little one still enjoys their three-course.