Q

I am nursing my 3 month old successfully and am currently trying to slowly reduce my weight. I was wondering about the use of aspartame-containing products while nursing. I'm not sure if it would be present in the breast milk, but I'm afraid so!

Thanks

Pat


A

Dear Pat,

So happy to hear that all is going well with nursing. You are definitely doing the best thing for you and your baby by losing weight slowly.

Many products, particularly diet soft-drinks, do contain the artificial sweetener, aspartame (Nutrasweet.) In healthy infants, the levels in breastmilk are too low to produce significant side effects. (Medications and Mothers' Milk, Thomas Hale, R.Ph.,Ph.D., 1996) Though milk levels do remain low, I would recommend using in moderation. Some mothers report increased fussiness in their babies after they have taken in foods or beverages containing aspartame.

I do have one caution however. Aspartame is contraindicated in infants with the rare metabolic disorder, phenylketonuria (PKU.) Best of luck losing weight while nursing!

Warmly,
Debbi