How can I prevent my breastfed baby from getting colic?

Understanding Colic in Breastfed Babies
Colic is a term that describes excessive crying in infants, often characterized by episodes of intense discomfort without an obvious cause. While the exact reasons behind colic remain somewhat of a mystery, many parents seek ways to alleviate their baby’s distress, particularly when breastfeeding.
Dietary Considerations for Breastfeeding Mothers
One of the most significant factors that can influence colic in breastfed babies is the mother’s diet. Certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers may contribute to colic symptoms in their infants. Dairy products, nuts, soy, eggs, caffeine, garlic, spicy foods, and shellfish are among the common culprits that can lead to increased discomfort in babies. If you suspect that your baby is experiencing colic, it may be beneficial to eliminate these foods from your diet for a period to observe any changes in your baby’s behavior.
Ensuring Proper Latching
Another critical aspect of breastfeeding that can help mitigate colic symptoms is ensuring that your baby is latching on correctly. A poor latch can lead to excessive air intake during feeding, which may contribute to gas and discomfort. Taking the time to learn proper latching techniques can not only enhance your breastfeeding experience but also potentially reduce colic symptoms. If you’re unsure about your baby’s latch, consider consulting a lactation specialist for guidance.
Creating a Calm Feeding Environment
The environment in which you breastfeed can also play a role in your baby’s comfort. Feeding in a calm, quiet space can help reduce overstimulation, which may contribute to crying episodes. Additionally, holding your baby in an upright position during and after feeding can aid digestion and minimize gas buildup.
Monitoring Feeding Patterns
Paying attention to your baby’s feeding patterns is essential. Some babies may benefit from more frequent, smaller feedings rather than larger, less frequent ones. This approach can help prevent overfeeding, which can lead to discomfort and exacerbate colic symptoms.
Seeking Support and Resources
Finally, it’s important to remember that colic is not a reflection of your parenting abilities. Many parents experience this challenging phase, and it often resolves on its own as the baby matures. Seeking support from healthcare professionals, parenting groups, or lactation consultants can provide valuable insights and reassurance during this time.
In conclusion, while colic can be a distressing experience for both babies and parents, there are several strategies that breastfeeding mothers can employ to help alleviate symptoms. By being mindful of dietary choices, ensuring proper latching, creating a soothing feeding environment, and monitoring feeding patterns, you can contribute to a more comfortable experience for your little one.

What position should I breastfeed to prevent colic?

Try laid-back breastfeeding. This position has you reclining on your back (flat or at an angle) while baby is belly-to-belly with you. While you are on your back and baby’s head is above the breast, gravity helps to slow the flow of milk.

What positions reduce colic while breastfeeding?

The ‘colic curl’ position – place your baby’s head and back against your chest and encircle your arms under her bottom.

How can I reduce my baby’s colic naturally?

Your baby may calm down if you:

1. Lay them on their back in a dark, quiet room.
2. Swaddle them snugly in a blanket.
3. Lay them across your lap and gently rub their back.
4. Try infant massage.
5. Put a warm water bottle on your baby’s belly.
6. Have them suck on a pacifier.
7. Soak them in a warm bath.

What makes a breastfed baby colic?

Maternal diet – certain foods in the mother’s diet may cause symptoms of food allergy or intolerance in her breastfed baby. 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 does colic poop look like?

Parents of infants with colic correlated crying to stomach aches and a disturbed gut function [2,16]. In a qualitative study they remarked that their infants had bowel movements more than ten times/day or hardly at all and that the stools were green, explosive and foul-smelling [2].

What is the 3-3-3 rule for colic?

The most commonly accepted definition of colic, which originated in 1954,4 describes using the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for more than three weeks in an infant that is well-fed and otherwise healthy.

What should a breastfeeding mother eat to prevent colic?

Other studies have focused on the elimination of potential allergens from the mother’s food. These included soy, peanuts, wheat, milk and milk products, tree nuts, eggs, and fish. An absolute reduction of 37% in the risk of colic was observed in these breastfed infants compared to the controls.

How do you stop colic in breastfed babies?

These are some of the tried and tested techniques that other parents use to relieve colic symptoms in breastfed babies.

1. Burping. Burp (or wind) your baby during and after every feed – have a look at burping your baby for techniques.
2. Sit your baby up. Sit your baby up as straight as possible while feeding.
3. Attachment.
4. Diet.

How I cured my baby’s colic?

Soothing strategies

1. Using a pacifier.
2. Taking your infant for a car ride or on a walk in a stroller.
3. Walking around with or rocking your baby.
4. Swaddling your baby in a blanket.
5. Giving your baby a warm bath.
6. Rubbing your infant’s tummy or placing your baby on the tummy for a back rub.

What foods should I avoid while breastfeeding a baby gassy?

If you notice that each time you eat something your baby becomes fussy, try avoiding the food for a while and see what happens. 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.