Mothers who consume large amounts of sugar could be passing the added sugar to their infants through breast milk, which could hamper the child's cognitive development. Mercy Medical Center pediatrician Dr.
A high sugar diet during the breastfeeding period can delay cognitive development in infants.
A mother is described who observed her babies becoming restless during nursing whenever she had eaten foods containing sugar. The problem ceased almost instantly when she adopted a sugar‐free diet. The extensive literature on sugar, physical and mental illness and behavioural problems was reviewed.
Because theobromine is a stimulant, it could, in theory, cause the breastfed infant to be wakeful and fussy. If indeed the chocolate does contain caffeine, there's a double whammy. The effects of the combined naturally-present theobromine, and the added caffeine, means the baby is consuming two stimulants.
Just be aware that chocolate contains a substance called Theobromine, which is a stimulant (similar to caffeine). Theobromine is found in cocoa solids in chocolate and will pass through your breast milk to your baby. The higher the cacao levels of the chocolate, the higher the levels of theobromine.
The effects of theobromine in chocolate and breastfeeding can be quite a concern for nursing mothers. While the amount of theobromine in chocolate is far less than other forms of caffeine. Specifically, theobromine can interfere with infants' sleeping habits and digestion, making it irritable and fussy.
Certain foods may cause a chemical reaction in the body that increases your desire for them, one being sugar. Breastfeeding gives much of your body's nutrients to your baby which can leave you feeling lacking and subsequently craving sugar as a quick fix.
Sleep Deprivation
If your child is having sugary drinks or snacks late into the afternoon and evening, they are going to struggle to go to sleep. This then results in a later bedtime when your child really needs to be in bed between 7-8pm.
Children do 75% of their growth and brain development during sleep, so that deep sleep is very important. Aside from that, too much sugar (and consequently less deep sleep) can result in a sluggish child during the day.
Michael Goran, PhD
Added sugars should be no more than 5%-10% of daily calories, which is not much.
Overall, human breast milk has been found to be low in certain nutrients in developed countries: vitamin D, iodine, iron, and vitamin K.
Eating too much sugar when you're pregnant may increase your risk of gestational diabetes3 and pre-eclampsia4 and increases the risk of your baby becoming overweight later in life2.
These alterations in the brain's activity increase the desire for unhealthy foods. Sweets and fatty foods are the mostly craved items by mothers in general during breastfeeding which is related to changes in brain activity due to the baby's need for milk.
Diabetes can impact breastfeeding in a variety of ways, said Dr. Ramos-Roman. For example, it can lengthen the time before some mothers establish milk production. Breastfeeding can also change maternal blood sugar patterns throughout the day.
Exposing infants and children to higher amounts of sugar during growth and development can produce problems with cognitive development and learning as well as create lifelong risk for obesity, diabetes, fatty liver disease and heart disease, said Goran, founding director of the Childhood Obesity Research Center at the ...
Although true sugar allergies are rare in children, they can be life threatening. Call 911 and/or get your child to the emergency room immediately if: Your child has stopped breathing. Your child has difficulty breathing, or slowed breathing.
Children who are fed diets high in added sugars are more likely than children with lower sugar intakes to have a number of negative health consequences as they develop, including childhood obesity, cardiovascular disease and tooth decay. Diet from birth to 24 months also shapes long-term food preferences.
One of the major reasons postpartum moms struggle with cravings is severe fatigue. When our brains are functioning on little sleep for many days, it needs more energy to function. The brain prefers to function on carbohydrates, and it knows that sugar is the fastest way to get energy to the brain.
Studies show that excess sugar consumption can affect the nutritional availability of breast milk, thereby risking the growth and development of your baby. That's why quitting sugar with the 8-Week Program is not only safe, but it's also good for you and your baby.
Breastfeeding tips for mothers with diabetes
Have a snack before or during nursing. And keep something nearby to raise your blood sugar quickly if needed. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. Check your blood glucose levels each time before and after nursing.
Yes! You can enjoy ice cream while breastfeeding.
As a breastfeeding mom, you can pretty much eat anything you want. If you have an overall healthy, well-balanced diet, then you don't have to stop eating any of the foods you enjoy just because you're breastfeeding.