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.
It also contains anandamide and two related compounds that stimulate cannabinoid receptors, tryptophan, and polyphenols. [1,2] All of these compounds are detectable in breastmilk in small amounts. Low intake of chocolate by a nursing mother is not problematic, but extreme amounts can affect the infant.
Sugar cravings can be a result of being low in vitamins which is common in new mums due to lack of sleep and adjusting to be a new parent, so consider taking a multivitamin to keep your vitamin levels high. Trick your body into thinking it's having something sweet by adding spices to your food.
Acceptable Limit. The limit on chocolate while nursing is due to theobromine, the caffeine-like stimulant. Nursing mothers can safely consume up to 300 mg of caffeine or similar stimulants, such as theobromine, per day. One gram of processed milk chocolate has about 2.4 mg of theobromine.
Sugar cravings postpartum, in particular are a result of more specific nutrient deficiencies, lack of sleep, and energy needs for breastfeeding. Glucose the the first choice of fuel for our bodies, so often times the sugar cravings are really just your body's signal for more nutrients and energy.
Mercy Pediatrician, Dr. Ashanti Woods, Discusses Effect of High Sugar Levels in Breast Milk. 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.
The research suggests that mothers who consume sugary beverages after giving birth risk exposing their newborns to the sugars through their breastmilk. Consequently, it can lead to poorer cognitive development in infants nearly two years later.
Chocolate also contains Theobromine, which has a similar effect to caffeine. Some mothers find that they can eat as much chocolate as they want without it affecting their babies. Theobromine has also been found to increase a mother's breast milk supply.
Chocolate can cause excessive gas in babies when the mother consumes it in excess, Sadik says. That's primarily due to the high caffeine content. The amount of "excess" may vary from one mother to the next, but Sadik advises against indulging in sweets daily.
It's not a good idea to diet when you are breastfeeding. Still, it's fine to have a diet drink or foods sweetened with sugar substitutes now and then. Just be sure they don't take the place of the nutrient-rich foods you need when breastfeeding.
Increasing sugar and fat intake in a controlled short-term feeding study acutely affected breast milk composition. Increasing sugar intake significantly increased breast milk triglycerides and to a greater extent than increasing fat intake.
Consuming Too Much Caffeine
Caffeinated soda, coffee, tea, and chocolate are OK in moderation. However, large amounts of caffeine can dehydrate your body and lower your production of breast milk. Too much caffeine also can affect your breastfeeding baby.
1. Nighttime feedings are key Know that these nighttime feedings are important. Your body produces more prolactin (the hormone that promotes milk production) when you breastfeed at night, so night feedings help to keep up milk production.
Does breastfeeding promote weight loss? Breastfeeding should not be used as a weight loss method because you could actually gain weight while nursing if you don't pay close attention to your diet. It is it a myth that breastfeeding burns up lots of calories making milk.
Yes. Although only tiny amounts of caffeine are naturally present in chocolate, more can be added. Chocolate contains theobromine. Because theobromine is a stimulant, it could, in theory, cause the breastfed infant to be wakeful and fussy.
Cacao and chocolate contain caffeine and other stimulants, like theobromine, which can impact a child's development and nervous system. In excess, caffeine can reduce appetite, cause jitteriness, affect sleep, and exacerbate reflux, and babies are more sensitive to caffeine than older children and adults.
HOW MUCH CAFFEINE IS SAFE TO CONSUME? Up to 200-300 mg of caffeine, or about 2-3 cups of coffee, is considered safe to consume while breastfeeding (EFSA, 2020; CDC, 2020).
Deficiencies in certain minerals such as zinc, chromium, iron, calcium, and magnesium may lead to sugar cravings as well, Elia says. Magnesium deficiency is specifically worth paying attention to.
Caffeine: Coffee, tea, and soft drinks with caffeine should be limited. Caffeine does pass through the milk and makes some babies restless and fussy. Alcohol: Alcohol is a drug.
The mother's depletion doesn't miraculously restore when the baby is born. The deficiency that occurs postnatally can last up to ten years. Deficiencies directly link to food cravings.
The short answer is yes, it is generally safe to drink caffeine while you are breastfeeding your baby. However, experts recommend limiting your caffeine intake to 300 milligrams of caffeine per day while nursing. Caffeine does affect some babies. Breast milk can contain small traces of the substance.
Signs of Poor Nutrition Postpartum
You may not be getting enough to eat as a new mom if you find yourself experiencing any of the following signs and symptoms: Feeling sluggish, lack of energy, and chronically fatigued. Recurring headaches. Lethargy.