Breastfeeding provides the best source of nutrition for babies. Occasionally breastfed babies can react to cow's milk in breastmilk from the mother's diet. This dietary advice sheet gives some general information to help you make the recommended changes to your diet and should only be followed for 4 weeks.
If you have any other allergies or medical conditions, please seek further advice.
It is important for you to have a milk free diet, and to avoid major sources of soya. This is because many babies who cannot tolerate cow's milk also react to soya proteins. Soya can often be tried later to see if your baby reacts to it or not, but it is best not to include it for the first 4-6 weeks. However, do not worry about "soya lecithin" or "soya flour" in products such as bread and sausages.
You will need to avoid cow's milk, soya milk, dairy and soya yogurts, dairy and soya custard, cheese and any products that contain these. Other mammal milks such as goat and sheep are not suitable alternatives as your baby is likely to react to these.
Suitable alternatives to cow's milk and soya milk are: Calcium enriched oat milk, calcium enriched hemp milk, calcium enriched coconut/almond/hazelnut.cashew milks.
Edamame/soya beans Processed vegetables (check ingredients) Processed fruit (check ingredients)
Ingredients to watch our for on labels:
Milk and milk products will be indicated and 'Milk' in bold on the ingredient list, so check the labels. Most supermarkets will provide a list of their milk-free foods on request. There's no need to avoid all products with 'soya' in the ingredients. Only avoid the main source of soya such as soya milk and yogurts, soya desserts and cream, soya cheese and tofu.
When eating out, check with the restaurant or food outlets as they have to provide allergen information by law. As a breastfeeding mum your daily calcium requirements are 1250mg. If this is not met from your diet, then you should take a supplement that provides 1000mg of calcium per day.
Use the following chart to check your calcium intake (from the British Dietetic Association Food Fact Sheet on Calcium):
If your baby requires a cows' milk free diet then you should be referred to a Paediatrician Dietitian or a trained Health Professional for advice on introducing solids and to ensure you are achieving a nutritionally adequate diet.
What about Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is needed by the body to absorb calcium and the best source is from the action of sunlight on the skin. Vitamin D is only found in a few foods so a supplement is recommended for everyone.
Note: micrograms (mcg) can also be written as µg. IU stands for International Unit.
