A rare woman does not like chocolate. And although nursing mothers limit themselves in many ways for the health of the baby, it is difficult to give up chocolate. It remains only to find out if it can be eaten while breastfeeding.
If you cannot live without chocolate and are not ready to give up on it even when breastfeeding, you can keep it in your diet, but remember to keep in moderation. Monitor the child's behavior, and if you notice symptoms of intolerance to this sweet product, completely eliminate it. The main concern is not so much the sugar in chocolate as the caffeine.
Therefore, if you are a fan of chocolate, you can eat it, but limit other caffeinated foods: coffee, tea and soft drinks. Chocolate also contains theobromine, which has the same aphrodisiac effects as caffeine. Some mothers find that no matter how much chocolate they eat, it has no effect on their children. They were lucky. It should also be borne in mind that theobromine increases the production of breast milk. Therefore, in the first few months, while lactation is established, it is better to refrain from chocolate.
It is necessary to introduce chocolate into the diet of a nursing mother gradually. For a start, one slice is enough and only in the morning. Monitor your baby's reactions for 24 hours. Allergic manifestations are possible within 3 days after the introduction of the product.
Good news for chocolate lovers
In addition to its stimulating effect, theobromine can contribute to increased gas production in a child. Looking at the torment of the baby, any mother is ready to do anything, including giving up many foods while breastfeeding. But there is a way out: white chocolate contains a very small amount of theobromine, which reduces the risk of unwanted effects. If your baby doesn't respond well to dark chocolate, try replacing it with white.
If chocolate is a source of strength and energy for you, try replacing it with powdered chicory. This drink also has a tonic effect and has a coffee flavor.
When should you exclude chocolate?
If your child has become more active, agitated, restless, and has a hard time falling asleep, this may be due to the mother's consumption of chocolate. Diarrhea, colic, green stools, vomiting are the reason for the immediate rejection of chocolate and all caffeine-containing products. If your baby has a rash around the anus, it could be an allergic reaction to chocolate. Eliminate all foods that cause allergies and report these symptoms to your pediatrician.
In most cases, if the unwanted symptoms are caused precisely by chocolate, then after the withdrawal of this product, they disappear within a few days, less often within two weeks. But in most cases, breastfeeding mothers are allowed to eat chocolate in moderation.
