How can I reduce my colic while breastfeeding?

Understanding Colic in Breastfed Infants
Colic is a common concern for many new parents, characterized by excessive crying and apparent discomfort in infants. While the exact cause of colic remains unclear, several strategies can help breastfeeding mothers reduce its occurrence and alleviate their baby’s distress.
The Role of Maternal Diet
One of the most significant factors influencing colic in breastfed babies is the mother’s diet. Hydration and nutrition are crucial; mothers should ensure they are drinking plenty of water and consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. This not only supports the mother’s health but can also positively impact the quality of breast milk.
Moreover, certain foods may exacerbate colic symptoms in sensitive infants. For instance, dairy products, particularly cow’s milk, are often linked to increased colic symptoms. If a mother suspects that her diet might be contributing to her baby’s discomfort, she might consider eliminating dairy for a week or so to observe any changes in her baby’s behavior. If symptoms improve, she can gradually reintroduce dairy to determine tolerance levels.
Ensuring Proper Milk Composition
Breastfeeding technique plays a vital role in managing colic. It is essential for mothers to ensure that their babies are receiving adequate hindmilk, which is richer in fat and nutrients compared to foremilk. To achieve this, mothers should allow their babies to finish one breast before switching to the other or focus on emptying one breast completely during each feeding. This practice helps prevent lactose overload, which can lead to colic-like symptoms.
Additionally, proper latching is crucial. A poor latch can lead to inefficient feeding, resulting in the baby swallowing excess air, which may contribute to discomfort and colic. Mothers should seek guidance on latching techniques if they are unsure, as a good latch can significantly reduce colic symptoms.
Identifying and Avoiding Trigger Foods
In addition to dairy, other foods may trigger colic in some infants. Common culprits include caffeine, spicy foods, and certain vegetables like broccoli and cabbage. Mothers should be mindful of their diet and consider keeping a food diary to track any correlations between what they eat and their baby’s colic symptoms.
Conclusion
While colic can be a challenging experience for both infants and their parents, understanding the factors that contribute to it can empower breastfeeding mothers to take proactive steps. By focusing on a balanced diet, ensuring proper breastfeeding techniques, and identifying potential food triggers, mothers can help reduce their baby’s colic symptoms, leading to a more peaceful environment for both mother and child.

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.

Is colic worse in breastfed babies?

Breastfeeding is not a cause of colic, and babies who are fed infant formula get colic, too. Switching to formula may not help and may even make the situation worse.

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.

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.

What foods to avoid breastfeeding gas?

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.

What worsens colic?

Foods that are passed through your breast milk to your baby may trigger colic. If your baby is colicky and you are breastfeeding, avoid eating or drinking the following foods for a few weeks to see if that helps. Stimulants, such as caffeine and chocolate. Dairy products and nuts.

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 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].

How do you get instant relief from colic?

Rubbing your infant’s tummy or placing your baby on the tummy for a back rub. Playing an audio of heartbeats or quiet, soothing sounds. Providing white noise by running a white noise machine, a vacuum cleaner or clothes drier in a nearby room. Dimming the lights and limiting other visual stimulation.

What causes colic in breast milk?

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.