What causes an upset stomach in breastfed babies?

Understanding Upset Stomachs in Breastfed Babies
An upset stomach in breastfed babies can be a distressing experience for both the infant and the parents. Identifying the underlying causes of these tummy troubles is crucial, as it can help in alleviating discomfort and ensuring the baby remains healthy and happy.
Dietary Influences
One of the primary factors contributing to an upset stomach in breastfed infants is the mother’s diet. Certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort in their babies. For instance, dairy products are often cited as potential culprits; some infants may exhibit sensitivity to lactose, resulting in excessive gas and fussiness. Other foods, such as spicy dishes, caffeine, and certain vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, can also cause digestive issues in sensitive babies.
Moreover, the composition of breast milk itself can vary based on the mother’s diet and the timing of feedings. If a mother has an overactive letdown reflex, the rapid flow of milk can overwhelm the baby’s stomach, leading to symptoms like gas and discomfort. This situation can be exacerbated if the baby is gulping air while feeding, which is common during fast letdowns.
Signs of Sensitivity
Breastfed babies may show signs of sensitivity to breast milk, which can manifest as fussiness, excessive crying, or difficulty sleeping. Parents should be vigilant for symptoms such as bloating, gassiness, or changes in stool patterns, which may indicate that the baby is reacting to something in the mother’s milk.
Gastrointestinal Development
It’s also important to consider that infants have immature digestive systems. As their gastrointestinal tract develops, they may experience temporary discomfort that is not necessarily linked to the mother’s diet. This developmental phase can lead to common issues like colic, which is characterized by prolonged periods of crying and fussiness.
Remedies and Solutions
To help soothe an upset stomach, mothers can try several gentle remedies. Keeping a food diary can be beneficial to identify any dietary triggers. If a specific food is suspected, eliminating it from the diet for a period may help determine if it is the cause of the baby’s discomfort. Additionally, ensuring that the baby is positioned correctly during feeding and allowing for burping can help reduce gas buildup.
In some cases, consulting with a pediatrician or a lactation consultant can provide tailored advice and support. They can help assess whether the baby’s symptoms are due to dietary issues or other factors, ensuring that both mother and baby can find relief and comfort.
Conclusion
An upset stomach in breastfed babies can stem from various factors, including maternal diet, the baby’s developmental stage, and feeding techniques. By understanding these causes and observing the baby’s reactions, parents can take proactive steps to alleviate discomfort and promote a happier feeding experience.

How to soothe a baby’s upset stomach?

Burp your infant before, halfway through and after a feed. Keeping them upright after feeding can help their stomach empty. Holding infants stomach down and increasing tummy time can help move the gas through the intestines. Bicycle leg kicks and tummy massage may also help.

Why does my baby have an upset stomach after breastfeeding?

In addition to the foods a parent eats while nursing, the act of breastfeeding itself can be a hidden cause of your child’s tummy issues. If the feeding parent struggles with oversupply of milk, your baby could be swallowing too much air as they nurse, leading to excess gas.

What are the top foods that bother breastfed babies?

Now, in certain uncommon situations, babies can have a reaction to something in the breastfeeding parent’s diet. The top three culprits are dairy, soy, and wheat. But we don’t see too many babies reacting to foods like broccoli, cabbage, etc.

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.

What helps an upset stomach while breastfeeding?

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends kaolin-pectin products (such as Kaopectate) or loperamide products (such as Imodium) for nursing mothers with diarrhea. Bismuth subsalicylate compounds (such as Pepto Bismol) contain enough aspirin ingredients that they may not be safe for your baby.

How do I know if something is wrong with my baby’s stomach?

Abdominal pain is common in children, especially during a baby’s first year. While your baby can’t yet tell you when their tummy hurts, you may notice some signs of discomfort. They may be extra fussy and squirmy, for example, and have a change in their bowel movement, sleeping or eating patterns.

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting baby?

If your baby shows negative symptoms after drinking breast milk. Consider how your baby responds to breast milk after drinking it. 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.

What causes digestive problems in breastfed babies?

For breastfed babies, gas might be caused by eating too fast, swallowing too much air or digesting certain foods. Babies have immature GI systems and can frequently experience gas because of this. Pains from gas can make your baby fussy, but intestinal gas is not harmful.

What foods make nursing babies gassy?

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.

Can breast milk irritate a baby’s stomach?

“There’s just not enough food proteins in breast milk to cause such a reaction. But there is enough to cause gut issues.” If your child is allergic to cow’s milk, for them to experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, they would have to drink cow’s milk on their own.