Recently, I wrote a post about foods that can increase milk supply naturally – but what about foods that harm supply? With that thought in mind, here are 5 foods NOT to eat when Breastfeeding.
Foods NOT to eat when Breastfeeding
Parsley
Beautiful and green, parsley is a staple on many dinner plates. It acts as a natural diuretic and can help clean the palate after a large meal – yet it can also decrease Breastmilk supply in large enough quantities.
While a small sprig here or there should cause no harm, and can actually benefit your health with its ample Vitamin K and Vitamin C content, dishes like tabooluh should be avoided.
Peppermint
Specifically, the peppermint oils used in Candies like the ones shown above or in Altoids. They may keep the breath fresh, but it an wreck havoc on your breastmilk supply. Enjoy your occasional cup of peppermint tea with no fear, yet consider things like Peppermint Candy as topping the list of what not to eat when breastfeeding.
Oregano
Known anecdotally world wide as one food not to eat when breastfeeding, Oregano has a mixed record. The amount normally used in cooking rarely causes harm, yet the increase in supplements and Oregano Oil has struck a cord with Lactation Professionals. While there is no hard scientific studies, anecdotal evidence shows that ingesting Oregano supplements or oil may reduce Breastmilk Supply.
Sage
Yet another green and vibrant herb hits the list of what not to eat while breastfeeding. Despite its fame as an excellent source of Fiber, Vitamin A and folate, Sage also holds a spot as a potential breast milk reducer. Sage contains a natural form of estrogen, which, like the estrogen in birth control, can inhibit milk production.
Like the other herbs on this list, small amounts of Sage – what would be considered normal in cooking – is fine. Yet ingested in large quantities or via a supplement, which is far ore concentrated, can cause you issues.
Fortified Cereal
Specifically cereals fortified with Vitamin B6 – which has been shown to reduce breastmilk supply. You NEED Vitamin B6 in order for health, yet keeping the amounts to the levels recommended by the NIH for lactating women, which is around 2.0mg per day, is optimal.
Fortified cereals mark a spot among what not to eat when breastfeeding due to the ease in which these vitamins can add up. Vitamin B6 is found naturally in many foods, including chick peas and salmon. Fortified cereals offer about 25% or the RDV in a single serving…. and we all know how small a serving is supposed to be. Eating too much cereal is definitely on the list of foods not to eat when breastfeeding.
Finally
Much of the above is pulled from anecdotal evidence and stories that have been shared from mother’s the world over. Despite the need for scientific study regarding breastmilk production and reduction, we lack the peer reviewed papers that can back things up. Come on people, how are we not studying this??!
Some foods find their way onto lists of what not to eat when breastfeeding because they an induce gas, like broccoli, or change the taste of breastmilk, like citrus. I have chosen not to include these here simply because, while all evidence above is anecdotal, there is a bit more consistency regarding actual reduction. When it comes to taste, some babies LOVE the taste of garlic, while other do not.
This comes down to a trial and error situation – if you eat a food and your baby is fussier or gassier… don’t eat it.
If you liked this article, you may also like:
- 11 Foods that Increase Breastmilk Supply
- The Ultimate guide for nursing in public
- Breastfeeding with Flat or Inverted Nipples
Your turn
What foods have you noticed reduce your supply? Or foods you have heard about? Leave a comment, I would love to talk!
Before you go..
Are you on bedrest? Can’t get out of the house? Do you still want to take a Breastfeeding Skills class?
If you plan to breastfeed, you need to prepare to breastfeed – and one of the best ways to do that is to take a class that answers your questions and sets you up to meet your goals. The Natural Breastfeeding Home Study Course can help you do that, from the comfort of your own home. Check it out!
What an interesting list. I would have never guessed Oregano would be on that list. Quite interesting. I guess the Sage is an interesting one as well. Thanks for sharing this.
Thanks for stopping by!
Interesting article, I’m glad that you mentioned that these are all backed up by anecdotal evidence only, not that anyone is really studying breastfeeding, sadly. I breastfed all three of my children, and I never modified my diet in any way. What works for one woman/nursling may or may not work for another. Lists like these sometimes have the unintended side effect of making breastfeeding seem harder than it is. These foods could effect breastfeeding in some women might be a better title.
YES! EXACTLY! Sorry, I get rather excited when someone ‘gets’ it! =)
I was so uncomfortable when my milk came in so I took 1 small peppermint leaf and 1 small sage leaf and made a tea (wasn’t strong at all) – within an hour I lost pretty much all of my milk 😢 My enormous boobs went back to normal size and the hardness was gone. We immediately bought a pump and it took me exactly 15 min until I got the first drop of milk 😭 I tried lactation cookies and herbal tinctures while consistently pumping and trying to nurse. Finally after more than 4 months my Milk supply went up – never again will I ever drink this tea while nursing! I learned the hard way how effective it is a reducing the milk supply
Say what now?! I HAD NO IDEA!! But thank you for the info!!
=)
Wow I wish I would have saw this when I was attempting to breastfeed. I love peppermints and I had no idea it inhibited my breast milk!
I was of the same mind with my eldest – I didn’t know it then, and peppermint is one of my favorites!
I’m not sure about any other foods that affect supply. I think your take on this topic is unique. There are a lot of article that only talk about what you should eat.
I have one of those lists too, lol.
thank you for sharing this knowledge. my friend will be a new mommy in few months time. i will share this blog post with her 🙂
Can you pass my congratulations on to her? Thanks for stopping by!
i will <3
I used to eat everything being offered to me when I was breastfeeding. I only stayed away from prescription drugs that could affect my baby. Well, I did not know that there are foods that should not be eaten when breast feeding.
I was like that with my first too – eating everything!
Who knew that parsley and peppermint could damage your milk supply. It was very eye opening x
=)
Peppermint and oregano is a really surprise for me.. Although you listed the things so well.. Wish many new moms will reads this who are struggling with breastfeeding. You are doing a commendable job to spread awarness about this.
Thank you!!
Sooo, I’m a doula, child development specialist, parenting expert AND the mother of 3 and I literally just learned last month (the hard way) just how much peppermint and parsley can impact your milk supply. I went from a milk cow to being able to pump only 1/4 oz from BOTH sides all because I had started using a seasoning with parsley (on literally everything) AND eating Altoids all day because I still have issues with my breath (thanks to Hyperemesis Gravidarum of Pregnancy). I can’t believe NO ONE told me about this before!!!! So a huge THANK YOU to you for including it in a blog!!! I was just getting ready to do my own blog post about it but I will just share yours instead 😉
Were you able to get your supply up again? That happened to me with my eldest, before I knew better. It’s crazy what can do it, isn’t it? On a side note, do you enjoy being a Doula? I have though about looking into becoming a postpartum doula, to add to my CLEC. I realize that is hardly the same as a birth doula, but I am curious about your experiences! And thank you for sharing the article!! =)
Breastfeeding women can eat whatever they enjoy. Please don’t discourage women by telling them what they can’t have.
Fair response.
citrus fruits,diary & wheat affects my baby’s bowels.i noticed cabbage can decrease my milk supply.
Chocolate can affect milk supply.. I’m on babe #6 (due July 2020).. I’ve had very limited diets with all of mine while breastfeeding, though my boys were definitely the worst. I’ve (personally) found eliminating dairy from about 35 weeks pregnant at least until babe comes helps. Otherwise they puke and scream and it’s just horrible on everybody. My boys I couldn’t have coffee after 10AM or they couldn’t sleep that afternoon/evening. I’ve also found that with all of them, whatever food makes me the sickest during pregnancy, they have a hard time if I eat it while breastfeeding and when they start solids. One of my girls I had a spider bite become infected on one breast when she was 4 months old and she refused to drink out of that breast until she weaned. I think the best advice I’ve ever heard was that if babe is constantly fussy, start writing down every single thing you eat. Write down the time, write down when babe breastfeeds and write down if they spit up more or less-or just puke, if they are more fussy, less fussy.. Basically any reaction.. After a week, you’ll see a pattern and you can avoid those foods until babe is older. Breastfeeding isn’t easy for everybody.