What can cause breastfed babies to be gassy?

Understanding Gassiness in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is often heralded as the optimal way to nourish infants, providing essential nutrients and antibodies. However, many parents find themselves grappling with an unexpected challenge: gassiness in their breastfed babies. This phenomenon can be perplexing and concerning, leading to questions about diet, feeding techniques, and the baby’s health.
Dietary Influences
One of the primary culprits behind gassiness in breastfed infants is the mother’s diet. Certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can lead to increased gas in their babies. Common offenders include dairy products, soy, wheat, broccoli, cabbage, bananas, eggs, and garlic. Mothers have reported that their babies may become gassy and fussy for up to 24 hours after consuming these foods. Keeping a food journal can be a helpful strategy for mothers to identify potential triggers in their diet.
Feeding Techniques
In addition to dietary factors, the way a baby feeds can significantly impact gassiness. Babies who feed too quickly or swallow air while nursing are more likely to experience gas. This is because the air they ingest can become trapped in their digestive system, leading to discomfort. Ensuring a calm feeding environment and proper latch can help minimize air intake during breastfeeding.
Immature Digestive Systems
It’s important to remember that all infants, whether breastfed or formula-fed, have immature digestive systems. This immaturity means that they are naturally prone to gassiness as their bodies learn to process food. Parents should not feel guilty or blame themselves for their baby’s discomfort; it is a common phase in early development.
Health Considerations
While most cases of gassiness are benign, there are instances where underlying health issues may contribute to the problem. Conditions such as reflux or other digestive disorders can lead to increased gassiness and fussiness. If a parent suspects that their baby’s gassiness is excessive or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, consulting a pediatrician is advisable.
Conclusion
In summary, gassiness in breastfed babies can stem from a variety of factors, including maternal diet, feeding techniques, and the natural development of the infant’s digestive system. While it can be distressing for both the baby and the parents, understanding these causes can help in managing the situation. By observing dietary habits and feeding practices, parents can often find relief for their little ones, ensuring a more comfortable breastfeeding experience.

What should a mother eat when a baby has gas?

Some babies also may become fussy with the consumption of gas-producing foods (broccoli, cabbage, beans, etc.). If you notice this you may want to substitute other vegetables and lean proteins into your diet. Some foods may cause an allergy in an infant also, although this area needs additional research.

How do I know if my breastfed baby is milk intolerant?

Common symptoms may include:

1. Hives.
2. Swelling under the skin, especially around the eyes or mouth.
3. Swelling of the tongue or throat.
4. Wheezing or respiratory distress.
5. Low blood pressure (hypotension)
6. Vomiting.

What foods cause gassiness in breastfed babies?

Foods That Make Breastfed Babies Gassy

• Fiber. Foods like bran, beans, and whole grains.
• Fruit. Citrus fruits, prunes, plums, peaches, or apricots.
• Vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.
• Garlic. Garlic-seasoned foods like pasta dishes or garlic bread.
• Dairy.
• Carbonated beverages.

How to reduce gas in a breastfed baby?

Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet. Try to learn which foods work and don’t work for you and your baby, and remember, each baby is uniquely different.

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.

Why is my breastmilk making my baby gassy?

Babies often swallow air when sucking on the breast or a bottle, especially if they drink too quickly or don’t have an optimal latch on the nipple. They can also swallow air when crying. Food sensitivities. Hypersensitivities or allergies to certain types of food in mom’s diet are less common causes of baby gas.

How to reduce gas in breastfed babies?

Burp after your infant is done feeding.
If you are breastfeeding, hold your child upright before switching breasts to give them a chance to burp. Avoid interrupting a feed to check for a burp. Your baby will make a switch from vigorous nutritive sucking to comfort sucking/pull off when they need to burp.

Can overfeeding a breastfed baby cause gas?

Signs of Overfeeding a Breastfed Baby
While spitting up is common, excessive spitting can be a clear sign of overfeeding. Gassiness and Fussiness: An overfed baby might be more gassy and fussy than usual. This is due to the excess air swallowed during feeding or the inability to digest the surplus milk properly.

How do I know if my baby is not tolerating breast milk?

MSPI symptoms

​fussiness or excess crying before, during and after a feeding	​stools may be infrequent, watery, have mucous, or be bloody
​reflux	​spitting up
​nasal congestion	​skin rash, eczema, hives, dry skin
​weight loss	​repeated vomiting
​sudden waking with discomfort	​

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting my baby’s stomach?

If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day. This lets you carefully look at your diet instead of getting rid of foods that may not be the cause of your baby’s distress.