As a lactating mom, you may think your diet directly affects your breastfed baby. It is true that what you eat and drink passes from you into breast milk, but there aren’t many foods you need to avoid. Most babies don’t react to foods, apart from a few exceptions. As a mom, it is natural to worry. But don’t! Read our post and find out whether you should consider eating oranges while breastfeeding.
Benefits Of Eating Oranges While Breastfeeding:
Can you drink orange juice while breastfeeding? Well, while nursing, your body needs more Vitamin C than during pregnancy. Orange is an excellent source of Vitamin C and its also great energy booster. It helps you absorb more iron from food. Hence, you might want to eat oranges or drink orange juice during breastfeeding.
Side Effects Of Eating Oranges While Breastfeeding:
For moms, having an orange or juicing it is quite normal. But, for you, it might not be the same case. In the first few months, as your baby’s intestinal tract is not fully mature and yet to develop, your baby might be sensitive to the high amount of citrus food in your diet. The acidic nature of the oranges may have the following effect on your baby’s gastrointestinal system:
- It may disturb your baby’s tummy, and she might get gassy, fussy or start spitting.
- Sometimes, she may develop diaper rash as her skin is very sensitive and irritable to the acidic nature of citrus fruits.
If Your Baby is Sensitive to Oranges?
If you feel your baby’s intestinal upset is because of the orange or orange juice you consume, you might want to try some preventive measures like:
Test if orange is the real culprit and reintroduce it again and see if there are any side effects. If you notice your baby experiences fussiness and begins spitting within few hours of breastfeeding, it’s better to cut back on oranges until your baby’s intestinal tract develops fully.
Reduce the quantity of consumption and pay closer attention to your baby. If the pattern still continues, avoid oranges for a few days and see the difference.
If you can’t eat oranges, replace them with leafy vegetables or strawberries. These fruits will ensure you get enough Vitamin C. You may even consult your pediatrician if you think your baby is reacting negatively to oranges to avoid any nutritional imbalance in you and your baby.
Are Oranges The Only Cause Of Stomach Upset?
If your baby is gassy or fussy or is spitting, it is not necessary that your orange consumption is responsible. All babies have days when they get gassy or become fussy whether you breastfeed them or not. Sometimes, your baby’s digestive systems might be so sensitive that no matter what you feed your baby, she will experience stomach upset. Therefore, you need not think that the fussiness is because of your diet and stop having oranges. Consult your doctor and find out what leads to these symptoms.
Treating Gas Problems in Babies:
To alleviate any gas problems your little angel may face, try some simple tips we list here:
- Fold your baby’s legs up to the stomach in bicycle motion.
- Apply some asafoetida (Hing) mixed with water on your baby’s navel.
- Give your baby a warm bath.
Thus, you need not avoid oranges simply because you are breastfeeding. Oranges are very good for breastfeeding moms and as a nursing mother you can eat them or juice them. You just need to make sure that it doesn’t upset your baby’s tiny tummy and if it does you take the necessary precautions.
