Should I avoid any food when I am breastfeeding? Should I take tonic food?
Transcript
Should I avoid any food when I am breastfeeding? Should I take tonic food?
Eating a well-balanced diet is most important to breastfeeding mother. Unless you or your baby has a particular food allergy, you do not need to avoid any food. If you suspect your baby is allergic to certain food you eat, you should consult your doctor. Some babies are sensitive to certain strong flavored and gas-producing food such as garlic, curry or spices. They may be upset and cry after drinking your milk. If this happens, you should try to avoid these foods.
You should restrict consumptions on caffeinated drinks like coffee, strong tea and some soft drinks or you can consider decaffeinated options so to minimise the effect of caffeine on babies. You should avoid alcohol because of its adverse effect on health eg. affect judgment. Alcohol disrupts flow of breastmilk. It passes through breastmilk and may impair your baby's development.
Tonic food taken for general health would not affect breastfeeding. However, if it is a traditional herbal medicine, you should consult a registered Chinese medicine practitioner before taking.
*To learn more, you can visit the Family Health Service website: www.fhs.gov.hk