What not to do during breastfeeding

Breast milk is essential for the baby during their first year of life, as it determines their proper physical growth, intellectual development, and strengthens their immune system.

Unhealthy habits can affect breast milk as harmful substances could be transmitted to the baby while breastfeeding. Therefore, the mother should have a balanced diet including grains, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meats, fats, and water, as everything she eats will be passed on to the child through breastfeeding.

Tobacco

Several studies indicate that the milk produced by mothers who smoke tastes and smells like tobacco about half an hour after smoking a cigarette. Breast milk provides protection against respiratory infections in babies living in smoking households. Respiratory infections are much more common in babies exposed to environmental tobacco smoke or passive smoking. Mothers who smoke should be encouraged to breastfeed their babies and try to smoke as little as possible.

With the stimulant effect of nicotine, the baby is less likely to rest and sleep, so you should avoid smoking in the hours leading up to their usual nap time or bedtime.

Alcohol

The same applies to alcohol consumption during breastfeeding. Alcoholic beverages consumed by the lactating mother can significantly affect the baby's developing brain and interfere with neuronal development, permanently affecting their intellectual abilities.

Caffeine

Consuming caffeinated beverages is common. Nursing women can consume one or two caffeinated beverages such as coffee, tea, or cola without affecting their baby.

This substance stimulates the nervous system, and if the baby consumes it, they may show discomfort through colic, lack of sleep, nervousness, irritability, or lack of appetite.

Medications

It is one of the difficult prohibitions to follow. The mother cannot avoid getting sick or feeling some type of pain and resorting to medication to help her recover.

The recommendation is not to take medication for minor or short-term discomfort, like a cold or diarrhea, as these are illnesses that the body naturally eliminates. However, the doctor may prescribe medications that are safe for breast milk.

Breast milk is crucial for the baby, as it contains carbohydrates, proteins, digestive enzymes, minerals, vitamins, antibodies, and hormones necessary for their growth and development. Avoiding the consumption of these products is an effort that will prevent the quality of the milk from decreasing.