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Diet & Breastfeeding:
More Questions |
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Don’t wait to breastfeed until your breasts feel full. Drained breasts make milk faster. Full breasts make milk slower. |
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By Nancy Mohrbacher, IBCLC, Ameda Products
Co-author of Breastfeeding Made Simple and The Breastfeeding Answer Book |
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"As a vegetarian, is there anything special I need to know?"
Yes. You need to either eat foods that have vitamin B12 (such as eggs or dairy) or take supplements. If you are on a vegan or macrobiotic diet or any other diet that does not include animal products, be sure to get enough B12. |
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"What about caffeine?"
As with all parts of your diet, think moderation. One or two cups of coffee (or other caffeinated drinks such as teas or colas) are not likely to cause a reaction. Unless a baby is unusually sensitive, there is no need to abstain. |
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"Can I have an occasional glass of beer or wine while I’m breastfeeding?"
Yes. Moderate to heavy drinking is risky for your baby, but a little alcohol in the milk now and then has not been found to be harmful. |
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| Mothers who want to avoid any alcohol in their milk can have their drink right after nursing. Research shows that alcohol passes quickly into a mother’s milk, peaking within 30-60 minutes (60-90 minutes when taken with food). But it also passes out of milk quickly. For a 120-pound woman, it takes two to three hours for the alcohol in one glass of beer or wine to leave her milk. |
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| There is no need to pump to make your milk alcohol-free. As blood alcohol levels drop, alcohol leaves the milk. |
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| If a breastfeeding mother has a stronger drink or more than one glass of beer or wine, it will take longer for the alcohol to pass out of her milk. |
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| For more, click on "Diet and Breastfeeding: The Basics." |
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| This is general information and does not replace the advice of your physician or healthcare provider. If you have a problem you cannot solve quickly, seek help right away. |
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Every baby is different, and your baby may not be average.
If in doubt, contact your physician or other healthcare provider. |
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