Any ideas - time it takes for my diet to affect my breast milk?

[sarahloumadam]

My LO gets very windy and distressed some days and I am trying to work out what it is that I am eating or drinking that may be affecting him. Anyone know how long it takes for food and drink to filter through to my milk supply?

[TEUCHywithallthetrimmings]

Hi SLM - there was a thread started by RGPARGY a week or so ago asking the same thing...I'll try and find a link...

[ib]

IME the effects come through the next day, although can linger for quite some time. When I eliminated stuff from my diet I would see an immediate improvement (24-48hrs later) and then a further improvement about a week later.

hth

[TEUCHywithallthetrimmings]

Hi again...the link has been deleted as it was generally felt that listing foods that should be avoided (I know you haven't done that!) is counterproductive to breastfeeding mothers...a case of adding to the challenge!

I think the advice was, if you think there is a link with certain foods, eat it every day for a week then not at all for the next week.

HTH and that someone more knowledgable comes along...

[tiktok]

sarah - there is no rule for the amount of time it takes for stuff to get to the milk, as this differs a lot with different substances. Most babies can handle what their mums eat and drink with no problems. A few do seem to react, but the only way to be sure is to keep a detailed food diary and then remove what you think might be causing it, then challenge again after a week or so,

[sarahloumadam]

Thanks for trying to find me that thread Tuech. Ikwym re lists of dos and donts adding to the overall challenge of motherhood - especially when one of the foods to avoid is chocolate!

Thanks also Ib and tiktok. I found some stuff on Kellymom re food and breastfeeding and it echoed your advice. I think to be honest he just gets wind some days and it is not linked to any particular food. Feeling a bit more relaxed about it now .