Breastfeeding and Green Peppers

I had to avoid mushrooms - whether they were cooked or raw when I was breastfeeding. Green beans too.

I've come to the conclusion that anything "gassy" will eventually pass to the infant. However, how do you really plan a meal around eating nothing that's gassy?

Moderation, like anything else, is key.

Not every baby is sensitive to what mom eats. I ate anything I wanted with both of my breastfed babies, and neither of them had any problems.

you just have to try it...

caffiene seemed to make my kids spit up more.. but I wasnt willing to give up my morning caffeine so I just dealt with a bit of spit up..

My freind couldnt eat tomatoes as her 1 daughter got diaper rash everytime mom ate tomatoes or salsa or anything tomato based...

of course it takes a while to figure this out.. you never think what you had for dinner 2 days ago causes a rash todya..

Hi J.! Not every child hs sensitivities to some foods, and yours is 3 months old now. Unless you know for sure that he has a sensitivity, I would just feed him normally, and see what happens. He maybe just fine. Keep up the good work!

J.; the only reason they say not to eat such things is cause it can flavor your milk so the child will not nurse, but if your child is still nursing while you have eaten such things and is not bothered by it dont worry about it, just enjoy life and be the great mom that you are, and keep up the good work, D. s

Every baby is different! My son had an issue with tomatoes - but never with peppers, onions, or anything else. And the tomato thing only lasted for about a month.

Most of us who breastfeed don't worry about this stuff. If you find something seems to bother your baby more than a time or two, you could avoid it. I certainly wouldn't go to the extent of pumping and dumping. Babies have some digestive troubles from time to time but it's usually not a big deal. If there's a lactose or gluten intolerance, that's a problem but you're not talking about that. Not to worry! Good for you for breastfeeding your little one! Best thing you can do for both of you!
Have you thought of coming to a La Leche League meeting? The website is www.llli.org. You can also look under Resources and seek answers on various topics. The main book LLL publishes is available at many large bookstores and some libraries. THE WOMANLY ART OF BREASTFEEDING. It's about $18 and full of wonderful support and information.

I nursed all 3 of my children through 1 year. All 3 were effected by different foods. None of my kids had issues with onions or peppers. In fact, most foods that they say cause problems, didn't effect my kids at all. The only way for you to know for sure is to wait and see.

Everyone is different. I never had problems with most food. I ate all kinds of food to see how the baby would react and she did fine with everything except cabbage. Even with cabbage she was just a little fussy and gassy... you won't know how your baby will react unless you try. Don't worry!

Every baby is different. With my 1st daughter I could eat everything even hot and spicy stuff and it didn't bother her. Same is true so far with my 2nd daughter who is 3 months old. I wouldn't pump and dump. I would try it and if it bothers him then stay away from them.

Hi J.,
I personally wouldn't worry about the gr. pepper. My little guy doesn't have a problem w/ those. For me it's the onion. I think one way to look at it is how do you feel? Did it give you heartburn or anything? That's how I know if it's going to affect my son. On the other hand if you are concerned and have enough in store; do what makes you most comfortabe.

I breastfed my babies and nothing ever bothered their tummies. That's not to say it doesn't happen of course. I would give it a try. If it bothers you, it might bother baby but you will find out soon enough and you may have one evening of tummy trouble If it doesn't bother baby...HOORAY! Those kinds a veggies are so good for you, you shouldn't eliminate them on a guess. Good for you that you are breastfeeding. It's best for you and your little one. Keep up the good work.

J.,

I nursed 5 babies and all of them had different sensitivities to foods. One son was bothered by everything and another one seemed to be bothered by nothing. I would suggest trial and error. If you nurse him and he gets fussy then you know to avoid peppers, otherwise he may be just fine with it and you have a whole new food group you can tap into for variety (I know I got very tired of a bland diet).

J. ~
You really just need to try things and see what happens. We don't limit our patients on what they eat. Some babies aren't bothered by anything, others by every little thing. It's really just trial and error...pay attention to what you eat, and if you notice more gassiness, or upset tummy, take note of what you ate earlier.
D.

Some babys have no effects from them... Mine never did...
I had never heard about the peppers being bothersome before...

The only way to know if its an issue with him it to try it .... (sorry, i know, not what you want to hear)

Hi J.,

Yes, things like green peppers and onions CAN affect little tummies...but not always. Every baby is different. So, unless you know for a fact that these things affect him ... there is no guarantee. I wouldn't pump and dump. Have him nurse as usual. If he ends up with gas pains, then you know for sure. There are things you can do to help ease his pain....

bicycle legs
warm towel over his tummy
gently rubbing in a circular motion (right to left) his tummy
laying him across your lap on his belly and GENTLY bouncing

If it does affect him, the trouble will pass within the night.

I know when my daughter was affected by foods it was the feeding that took place about 3 hours after the offending food item.

Also, keep in mind, by about 6 months you should be able to start slowly adding things back into your diet. Their digestive systems are stronger and more mature by then. I was able to eat normally by 7/8 months. Just add items back in slowly. The biggest problem item for us was tomatoes. Those REALLY bothered my daughter ... and anything tomato based.

The things is, you do really sort of need to try out the foods and see if they bother your little one and then at the appropriate time start adding them back in. One of the great benefits of breastfeeding is the varied flavors baby gets! I nursed my daughter for what is considered an extended period of time. I never had any issues introducing solid foods. She readily ate just about everything. Even now at 18 months, there is very little she won't eat.

Oh, and it typically doesn't matter if the item is cooked or not.

Do you know that they affect him or is it just something you heard/read? I wouldn't worry about it. The only thing I avoided eating were things that I KNEW affected my daughter (tomatoes, oranges, bananas). Every baby is going to have different things that affect it so unless you know from a previous encounter with this food, there's no way to tell if it will bother him at all.

There's many different opinions on what foods or if foods might bother a breastfed baby. I think some babies are bothered by foods, but probably less than most think. If you eat something and feel your baby is gassy or fussy because of it, try again. I know that sounds odd, but you can't conclude they are sensitive to a food unless you notice a connection several times, not just once, otherwise, it could just be a coincidence.

I nursed for 13 months and I always ate whatever I wanted. The only problem I ever noticed was when I ate spicy Mexican food. My son's bottom would get red. So I decided to cut spicy food out of my diet entirely.