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Does celery make breastfed babies gassy?

Does Celery Make Breastfed Babies Gassy?
The question of whether celery can contribute to gassiness in breastfed babies is a nuanced one, reflecting the complexities of maternal diet and infant digestion. While gassiness is a common concern among breastfeeding mothers, the specific impact of celery on a baby’s digestive system is less straightforward.
Understanding Gassiness in Babies
Gassiness in infants, particularly those who are breastfed, is a frequent occurrence, especially in the first few months of life. This can be attributed to several factors, including the immaturity of the baby’s digestive system and the natural process of digestion itself. Many parents often wonder if their diet is influencing their baby’s comfort, leading to questions about specific foods, including celery.
Celery and Its Effects
Celery is generally considered a healthy addition to a breastfeeding mother’s diet, rich in vitamins and minerals. However, it is also high in fiber, which can sometimes lead to increased gas production in adults. For breastfeeding mothers, the concern arises from the possibility that compounds in celery could pass into breast milk and affect the baby.
While there is no definitive evidence linking celery directly to increased gassiness in breastfed infants, some mothers report that certain foods, including those high in fiber or those that are known to cause gas in adults (like beans and cruciferous vegetables), can lead to similar issues in their babies. However, it is important to note that not all infants react the same way to their mother’s diet.
Allergic Reactions and Sensitivities
Another aspect to consider is the potential for allergic reactions. Some mothers may have a sensitivity or allergy to celery, which could manifest in various ways, including skin reactions or gastrointestinal discomfort. In such cases, if a mother consumes celery, it could potentially lead to adverse effects in her baby, although this is more about allergy than gassiness.
Consulting Healthcare Professionals
Given the variability in how different babies react to maternal diets, it is advisable for breastfeeding mothers to monitor their baby’s reactions after consuming specific foods, including celery. If a mother notices that her baby seems particularly gassy or uncomfortable after she eats celery, it may be worth discussing with a pediatrician. They can provide tailored advice and help determine if dietary adjustments are necessary.
Conclusion
In summary, while celery is not commonly identified as a major contributor to gassiness in breastfed babies, individual reactions can vary. The best approach for breastfeeding mothers is to maintain a balanced diet while being observant of their baby’s responses to different foods. If concerns about gassiness persist, consulting a healthcare professional can provide clarity and reassurance.

What causes extreme gas in breastfed babies?

Common causes of gas discomfort in breastfed babies:
An incorrect latch while nursing leads your baby to swallow too much air. Excessive crying fills your baby’s belly with air. Strong let-down or oversupply, causing baby to gulp quickly and swallow air. Constipation.

What foods cause colic in babies?

Some studies have found that particular foods eaten by the motherincluding cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, chocolate, onions and cow’s milkcan cause an attack of colic in her breastfed infant.

What veggies should I avoid when breastfeeding?

You need to be careful when you include them in your breastfeeding diet, as babies can show disturbed digestion, sometimes rashes too. Cruciferous vegetables like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, can cause gas issues and make babies uncomfortable. If your baby also reacts in the similar manner, you should avoid them.

Is celery ok to eat when breastfeeding?

Celery has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal and antiseptic elements. It is due to these properties that celery is fed to breast-feeding mothers after the birth of the baby. In such a situation, the lactating mothers (who breastfeed after pregnancy) is fed by celery paratha, laddu and pudding.

What foods should breastfeeding mothers eat to prevent colic?

It is most important to consume a diet with plenty of water and an adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy sources.

Why avoid strawberries while breastfeeding?

A quart or more of orange juice or a diet heavy in seasonal fruits such as strawberries, melons or cherries have been associated with diarrhea and colicky symptoms in some infants. Foods containing many preservatives, additives or dyes have been associated with signs of discomfort in some babies.

Does celery cause colic?

There are also some foods that will encourage a healthy gut and can help prevent symptoms of colic. These include apples, pears, asparagus, carrot, celery, kale, corn, bananas, papaya, celery, beetroot, pumpkin, zucchini, mushrooms, teas (chamomile, dandelion, fennel and cardamom), bone broths and apple cider vinegar.

What vegetables cause gas in breastfed babies?

Many mothers have reported foods such as kale, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, peppers or spicy foods cause infant gas, while many babies tolerate these foods just fine.

Can celery cause gas pains?

For example, celery’s high water and fiber content could mean eating excessive amounts can cause gas, bloating, and digestive upset. Aim for eating three to five servings of vegetables like celery a day.

What should a breastfeeding mother avoid eating?

Caffeine. It’s not just tea and coffee that contains caffeine – it’s in chocolate, and various energy drinks and soft drinks. It’s sensible to cut caffeine out while breastfeeding because it’s a stimulant so can make your baby restless. If you do drink caffeine, try not to have more than 300mg a day.

Natasha Lunn

Tash is an IBCLC and Business Coach helping fellow IBCLCs create fun, profitable businesses that are more than just an expensive hobby. Before becoming an IBCLC and starting her private practice - The Boobala, Tash graduated as an Osteopath in 2008 and has been in Private Practice in South West Sydney. She was also a volunteer Breastfeeding Counsellor and Community Educator with the Australian Breastfeeding Association for 6 years. Through her business, Your Lactation Biz, Tash coaches and creates products to help new and seasoned IBCLCs build businesses that suit their personality and lifestyle.

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