If you are nursing your baby, then you need to be very careful with what you eat. Your baby will not get affected directly as food does not pass through breast milk. However, there can be some indirect effects on her.
1. No Cold or Frozen Food Please"Do not have yogurt, your baby will catch a cold," is one of the most common statements made by mid-wives. However, it does carry a bit of truth with it.
If you consume cold yogurt, then you are likely to catch a cold which may lead to an infection.
Since your baby is in close contact with you, he is also likely to catch the infection.
So, it is better to avoid very cold and frozen foods like ice cream, cold drinks and anything that is directly out of fridge.
Keep such food out of the refrigerator, until it reaches room temperature.
2. Chuck Those Spicy Food Away
It is advised that you avoid very spicy food.
Such foods could upset your stomach, which may affect your health and make you weak. If you are weak, then your baby will not get proper nutrition.
Spicy foods are very hard to digest and especially in summer it just worsens.
Having spicy food can lead to indigestion. Consuming very spicy food can also cause a burning sensation while you urinate and pass stools.
3. Say No to Ready-to-eat Foods
Also, ready-to-eat foods contain a lot of preservatives that could harm your health. These foods also contain artificial flavouring, which could cause allergies.
You can also develop diahorrea which lasts for couple of days. This will make you weak again and you will feel drained and exhausted.
Ready-to-eat food are to be consumed within 10-12 hours after you open it else there can be microbial activity and can upset your tummy.
4. Kiss Alcohol Good-Bye
If you are lactating and happen to have alcohol, then there is a possibility of the alcohol passing through your milk, to your baby. The alcohol will have the same effect on your baby that it has on you.
Except that, he is far more sensitive and may tend to sleep more. It is better to avoid drinking alcohol in large quantities.
What's Good for You
If you are lactating, the perfect diet is homemade food with no preservatives and no artificial flavours. Follow a well balanced, healthy, low fat diet.
Eat loads of vegetables, salads, juices and fruits. Include a lot of milk and milk products in your diet in order to meet your calcium requirements.
(With Inputs from: Dr. Visalakshy Sundaram, Child Specialist, MGM Hospital and Dr. Sanjay. D. Pathak, Paediatrician, Jack and Jill Nursing Home, Mumbai and Dr. Sanjeev Ahuja, LH Hiranandani Hospital)
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