Becoming a mother is overwhelming, beautiful, and exhausting - all at once. If you’ve clicked on this article, know this first: you are not alone, and your concerns deserve to be heard. From relatives and neighbours to social media “experts” and viral reels, new mothers are constantly bombarded with advice about what they should or should not eat while breastfeeding. Unfortunately, much of this information is driven by myths, half-truths, and outdated beliefs.
Since breastfeeding is one of the most sensitive phases for both mother and baby, it becomes even more important to separate facts from fiction. What you eat matters, but not in the restrictive, fear-driven way many people make it seem. To help you make informed and confident choices, we break down the top five common myths about breastfeeding diets that every parent should know.
Myth #1: Eating certain foods will make your breastfed baby gassy and uncomfortable
Fact: When a breastfed baby becomes fussy without an obvious reason, it is often assumed that something the mother ate caused gas or discomfort. However, in most cases, this belief is not true. For the majority of breastfeeding mothers, their regular diet does not make their baby uncomfortable. A baby’s digestive issues are more commonly related to natural gut development rather than specific foods consumed by the mother.
Breast milk does change in flavour based on what the mother eats, which actually plays an important role in introducing the baby to the family’s food culture. These subtle flavour changes help babies become familiar with different tastes over time. While a baby may occasionally seem hesitant when exposed to stronger flavours such as garlic or spices, these changes do not harm the baby or affect milk quality.
In rare cases, some babies may show sensitivity or allergic reactions to certain proteins passed through breast milk, most commonly cow’s milk protein. This affects only a small percentage of exclusively breastfed infants. Possible warning signs include blood or mucus in stool, vomiting, diarrhoea, wheezing or breathing difficulties, skin rashes such as eczema or hives, severe or persistent fussiness, and signs of abdominal pain such as a swollen or tight belly.
If parents notice these symptoms, they should seek immediate medical advice from a paediatrician. However, if the baby simply appears mildly gassy or slightly fussy after the mother consumes certain foods, a short-term elimination of those items can be tried to observe any improvement. This should always be done thoughtfully and preferably under professional guidance.
Even UNICEF also notes, “Like everybody else, breastfeeding mothers need to eat a balanced diet. In general, there is no need to change food habits. Babies are exposed to their mothers’ food preferences from the time they are in the womb. If a mother perceives that her baby reacts to a specific food she eats, it is best to consult a specialist.”
Myth #2: Mothers must stop breastfeeding when they fall sick
Fact: According to UNICEF, “Depending on the kind of illness, mothers can usually continue breastfeeding when they’re sick. You need to make sure you get the right treatment, and to rest, eat and drink well. In many cases, the antibodies your body makes to treat your disease or illness will pass on to your baby, building their own defences.”
Myth #3: Breastfeeding is only possible if started right after birth
Fact: Starting breastfeeding within the first hour after birth can make the process easier because newborns naturally have strong feeding reflexes during this period. They are alert, instinctively ready to latch, and more responsive to learning how to breastfeed. This early window, often called the “golden hour,” can support smoother breastfeeding initiation.
However, not being able to breastfeed immediately after delivery does not mean breastfeeding is no longer possible. Many mothers successfully begin breastfeeding hours or even days later due to medical procedures, recovery needs, or other unavoidable circumstances. What matters most is starting as soon as conditions allow.
Practices such as frequent skin-to-skin contact, allowing the baby to stay close to the mother, and offering the breast regularly can help stimulate milk production and improve the baby’s ability to latch. Seeking guidance from a trained lactation consultant or healthcare professional can also provide valuable support and increase the chances of successful breastfeeding.
Myth #4: Many women are unable to make enough breast milk
Fact: The reality is that the vast majority of mothers are biologically capable of producing enough breast milk to meet their baby’s needs. In most cases, low milk supply is not caused by the body’s inability to produce milk, but by issues related to breastfeeding technique and feeding patterns.
Breast milk production largely depends on how effectively the baby latches onto the breast, how often the baby feeds, and how efficiently milk is removed during each feeding session. The more frequently and effectively milk is removed, the stronger the signal sent to the body to produce more milk.
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Breastfeeding is not something a mother should have to manage alone. Ongoing support from healthcare professionals, access to lactation guidance, help with household responsibilities, and maintaining good nutrition and hydration all play an important role in supporting healthy milk production and successful breastfeeding.
Myth #5: You must avoid medicines completely while breastfeeding
Fact: According to the Mayo Clinic, most breastfeeding mothers do not need to avoid medicines completely. The clinic notes that “Most medicines are safe to take while breastfeeding. If you take medicine for an ongoing health condition, it's important that you can take your medicine to stay healthy.”
However, some medicines may require adjustments. In such cases, “your healthcare professional might suggest another option” or recommend taking medicine after breastfeeding “to help make sure the smallest possible amount is in your breast milk at the next feeding.”
In rare situations, temporary pauses may be needed. The Mayo Clinic states, “Sometimes your healthcare professional might suggest that you stop breastfeeding for a short time or altogether.” To manage this, mothers may pump and store milk in advance and use a double electric breast pump to maintain supply.
For those unsure about medication safety, the guidance adds, “If you're not sure whether a medicine is safe while breastfeeding, you can pump, label and store the pumped breast milk until you check with your healthcare professional.”
This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS.