Some breastfeeding mothers are worried about consuming spicy food because they are afraid that the milk they produce will also taste spicy and make the baby not want to breastfeed, even causing a negative impact on the baby's health. Actually, is it safe for breastfeeding mothers to eat spicy food?
The prohibition of consuming spicy food while breastfeeding has become a common belief in Indonesian society. In fact, this prohibition has been in effect since a woman is pregnant.
Breastfeeding Mothers Can Eat Spicy
Eating spicy food while breastfeeding is okay and safe, as long as the spicy food Busui consumes is still in normal amounts or not in too many portions.
Everything Busui consumes can affect the taste and aroma of breast milk. However, that doesn't mean spicy food makes Busui's breast milk taste spicy too, right?
Busui needs to know that breast milk only takes nutrients from what Busui eats. So, Busui doesn't have to worry about eating spicy food, because the breast milk that your baby will drink will not make it spicy.
The Risks of Eating Spicy While Breastfeeding
Although it is safe and does not harm the baby, eating spicy food can still cause unpleasant side effects for nursing mothers, especially if you eat them in too many quantities.
This is due to the content capsaicin Spicy foods can irritate the stomach during the digestive process. Therefore, consuming too much spicy food can cause digestive disorders, ranging from diarrhea, abdominal pain, to the recurrence of ulcer symptoms or acid reflux disease (GERD).
If Busui's health is disturbed, it will be difficult for Busui to breastfeed the little one. Even though every 1 to 2 hours, babies must be breastfed regularly to support their growth.
After knowing the information above, now Busui doesn't have to worry about eating spicy food, even though she is still actively breastfeeding her little one. When consumed occasionally, spicy food is quite safe and rarely poses a risk to endanger the health of Busui and the Little One.
However, if after eating spicy Busui you experience abdominal pain, pain in the chest, or bowel movements continuously, stop eating the spicy food immediately.
Usually complaints due to spicy eating can improve by itself, without the need for serious treatment. If the complaint does not subside within 2 days, causing Busui to become dehydrated or difficult to breastfeed, consult a doctor to get the right treatment.