This was a hot topic in my graduate nutrition classes due  the recent
popularity of this diet.

I don' think the issue is as much the safety of the infant, rather the safety
of mom.  I don't think a lot of research has been done on high protein/low
carb diets on a breatfed infant due to the metabolic danger this diet poses
for mom.

The high protein low carb diet is a popular wt loss diet.  When one consumes a
very low carb diet, the Kreb cycle (which is the most efficient, natural, and
primary method of forming glucose needed for life) can not function.  The body
must then turn to other methods such as breaking down fat and muscle to form
the precious glucose.  Not only are these other methods not as efficient, but
the
by-products/waste that they form must be excreted by the kidneys (another
stress on the body).  Naturally, one loses wt (the body starts to consume its
own tissue b/c its essentially starving).  This is a temporary fix and once
the diet is terminated, the wt is usually regained.  This is at quite an
expense to the body.  A persons kidney can fail from the heavy waste load, or
a person can become diabetic due to the high levels of glucose in the blood
stream which can not enter the cells (via the much needed Kreb cycle).  Best
case scenario: mom loses wt in the form of muscle mass, goes off diet and
regains the wt in the form of fat. Worst case scenarios: kidney failure,
diabetes, death from ketoacidocis.   Will baby be OK?  Possible yes, possible
no,  its not well researched.  Mom will definately NOT be better off.

Guys, this is a popular diet, but it is very dangerous and unhealthy.  Please
be cautious when making recommendations.

Melissa Baron, MRH, RD, LC