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What can I eat and drink while breastfeeding?

Last updated on April 9, 2026

The data does not support most dietary restrictions during breastfeeding. There is no strong evidence that foods like dairy, caffeine, or spicy food reliably cause colic or fussiness in breastfed babies. Moderate caffeine intake is considered safe, and alcohol passes into breast milk at very low levels — the key variable is timing, not absolute avoidance.

Evidence Summary

  • Data source: Randomized trials and observational studies on maternal diet and infant outcomes during breastfeeding

  • Key finding: No consistent evidence links specific maternal foods to infant colic or fussiness in the general population

  • Key finding: Caffeine is considered safe; a very small amount passes to milk but does not accumulate at moderate intake

  • Key finding: Alcohol passes into breast milk only at very low levels

  • Caveat: Individual babies may be sensitive to specific foods, but this is the exception not the rule; elimination diets are rarely necessary

Confidence: High confidence — based on RCTs and cohort studies; individual variation exists and the colic literature is limited by measurement challenges.

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