As a Certified Breastfeeding Counselor (CBC), you will be frequently asked about a breastfeeding diet. There is not a specific breastfeeding diet, though many erroneously believe there is one. There is some excellent evidence, and also a lot of myths about breastfeeding nutrition and dieting while breastfeeding.

As a CBC, you cannot give direct nutrition counseling like a registered dietician can. However, you can provide nutrition education. You can also provide general information about dieting during breastfeeding, but you should not recommend any specific diets to your clients.

What Is A Breastfeeding Diet?

In the most basic term of diet, which is simply what one consumes, a breastfeeding diet is whatever a breastfeeding parent eats. There is not a specific diet recommended to lactating women. There are nutrition recommendations, but not a specific diet.

One of the most important things for someone lactating is adequate nutrition. Breast milk will almost always have adequate nutrition regardless of diet. However, poor nutrition could cause a mother’s body to have deficits.

There’s also very few dietary restrictions associated with breastfeeding unlike many popular myths. There are old wives’ tales and other cultural traditions which suggest certain foods aren’t good while lactating, but the real list of things to avoid is quite small.

Foods To Avoid While Breastfeeding

In short, most breastfeeding parents will not have to make any changes to their typical diet. While diet is often blamed for baby’s fussing, gas, reflux, etc., it’s quite rarely dietary related. Gas is a normal bodily function but being a new sensation, it makes babies fussy.

If there is a true allergy, milk and/or soy protein intolerance, FPIES, or other underlying health condition, dietary changes may be required. However, these are generally rare.

If a baby is showing signs of an allergy such as rash, eczema, hives, gastric issues, etc., a breastfeeding mother might try eliminating suspected culprits. It would be out of our scope to diagnose, treat, etc. for any of the above but we can let clients know these conditions exist.

Herbs To Avoid While Breastfeeding

There are some herbs in larger quantities which can be linked to supply issues. These include:

• Peppermint
• Sage
• Lemon balm
• Oregano
• Sage
• Spearmint
• Thyme
• Black walnut
• Chickweed
• Parsley

Food made with typical culinary levels of some of the above herbs are unlikely to impact supply at all. A bit of fresh chopped parsley sprinkled on pasta will not cause a big drop. However, the above herbs as a tea, supplement, or in large quantities could cause supply dips.

The good news about supply dips, when managed properly, they are temporary. If a client experiences a dip after consuming something, encourage frequent feeding, skin-to-skin, and feeding on demand.

Dieting While Breastfeeding

As a CBC, you may be asked if it’s safe to diet while breastfeeding. As you are not a healthcare provider, it’s important you do not make specific recommendations. However, as a rule of thumb, diets can be safe so long as parents get adequate calories and nutrition.

So, a diet that reduces caloric intake but still provides plenty to sustain supply would be safe.  A diet that includes a large calorie deficit could negatively impact supply. Clients can meet with a registered dietician, their doctor, or use an approved calculator to get an estimate of their caloric needs while breastfeeding.

A client interested in any fad or specific diets like keto, intermittent fasting, etc. should reach out to their healthcare provider before beginning.

Nutrition During Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding parents should follow the recommended daily intake for lactating women. They should typically consume about 500 additional calories compared to their pre-pregnancy diet.  For other nutrients it is recommended they consume the amount listed under lactation:

Vegan and Vegetarian Diets While Breastfeeding

Both diets are safe options during pregnancy and lactation. It’s important they get adequate protein and healthy fats from plant based sources which most educated vegans have little difficulty in doing so. They may need a vitamin B supplement, which is something they can discuss with their healthcare provider.

If someone is breastfeeding and a new vegan or vegetarian, or they have concerns, it’s ideal they meet with a nutritionist to discuss how to get adequate nutrition.

This is just a bit of general nutrition information. As a CBC you are not a nutritionist or registered dietician. However, you can provide general nutrition information to your clients.