The results of the poll on allergies and breastfeeding were quite telling and the comments were helpful and insightful, especially for all those dealing with allergies in the breastfed baby. Frankly I was surprised at the number of nurslings with known or suspected allergies and the number of mothers coping with an elimination diet. An even 1/3 of respondents said that yes, their nurslings have food allergies. These pyramids (in honor of the USDA food pyramid LOL) illustrate the distribution of the 148 votes.

Let’s be clear though — breastfeeding is wonderful for babies with food allergies. Do not interpret these …read more

As I researched the local agricultural fairs in which my daughters might like to participate, I learned that January is National Oatmeal Month! Somehow for a breastfeeding blogger, everything relates to breastfeeding, and National Oatmeal Month is no exception. It begged the question, does oatmeal increase milk supply? I knew that the answer could be found in the new book The Breastfeeding Mother’s Guide to Making More Milk by Diana West, IBCLC, and Lisa Marasco, M.A., IBCLC. The authors note that oat straw and its grain, oats, have long enjoyed a reputation as a galactagogue. In a section on lactogenic …read more

What foods should breastfeeding women eat? What foods should breastfeeding women avoid? The good news is there is no set list of foods that are appropriate or inappropriate for breastfeeding mothers.
Breastfeeding women need not feel they have to consume a special diet in order to provide the right nutrients in their breast milk. It’s true though that breastfeeding women need to consume extra calories (and don’t we all celebrate that fact!) But what about water? Shouldn’t you force extra fluids when you’re nursing, especially if you’re having trouble with low milk supply? Drinking extra water can actually hurt milk supply.
Are …read more

New scientific research reveals that choosing organic dairy and meat products over conventional products improves the fatty acid content in breast milk. A recent study (PDF) published in the British Journal of Nutrition examined the diets of 312 breastfeeding women from the Netherlands and collected breast milk samples at one month postpartum. Women who reported that they chose organic dairy and meat products over conventional products at least 90% of the time showed a measurable increase in beneficial fatty acids in their breast milk. The study specifically examined the conjugated linoleic acid isomers (CLA) and trans-vaccenic acid (TVA). The Free …read more

Registered dietitian Eileen Behan has revised her book Eat Well, Lose Weight, While Breastfeeding: The Complete Nutrition Book for Nursing Mothers. The book is approved by La Leche League International.

Five years ago, I thought I ate healthfully. Then I got pregnant and I started paying more attention to the foods I ate and how they affected the fetus. I redoubled my efforts to eat a well-balanced and varied diet of foods, and I investigated organic fruits, vegetables, dairy and meats. I made small changes, including switching to whole-grain breads and eliminating corn syrup from my diet. I continued to make improvements after my baby was born and I was breastfeeding her.
When my baby was ready for solid foods, I learned even more about nutrition. I naturally gravitated away from …read more