I'm breastfeeding — are there foods to avoid?
al-lat-TAHN-do — four syllables, stress on third. Double 't' held slightly longer.
Use in Italian restaurants to get guidance on foods that may affect breastfeeding. Italian waitstaff are often knowledgeable about food properties and may offer useful advice.
'Sto allattando' uses the present progressive (stare + gerundio): sto (I am) + allattando (breastfeeding). The follow-up question uses 'ci sono' (there are) + infinitive. Breastfeeding mothers may want to avoid alcohol, high-mercury fish, and very spicy foods.
Evito l'alcol perché allatto.
I avoid alcohol because I'm breastfeeding.
Explaining the reason for alcohol avoidance.
Il pesce spada è alto in mercurio?
Is swordfish high in mercury?
Important check — swordfish is high mercury.
Quali pesci posso mangiare in sicurezza?
Which fish can I eat safely?
Asking for safe fish options.
Italians traditionally associate certain foods with properties affecting nursing mothers — finocchio (fennel) is believed to increase milk production, while excess spice is thought to affect milk taste. These folk beliefs are still common in Italian families.