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What food causes gas in breastfed babies?

Understanding Gas in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is often celebrated as the best source of nutrition for infants, but many new mothers find themselves grappling with an unexpected challenge: gas in their babies. This issue can lead to fussiness and discomfort, prompting mothers to question the impact of their own diets on their little ones.
Common Culprits of Gas
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can contribute to gas in their babies. Dairy products, such as milk and cheese, are frequently cited as potential offenders. Some mothers report that their babies become gassy and fussy after they consume dairy, possibly due to lactose intolerance in the infant.
Other foods that may lead to increased gas include cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. These vegetables contain complex carbohydrates that can be difficult for some infants to digest, leading to gas production. Additionally, beans and spicy foods are also known to cause gas, as they can introduce more complex sugars into the breast milk.
Interestingly, bananas and eggs have also been mentioned by some mothers as problematic, although the evidence is less clear-cut. Garlic, while often praised for its health benefits, can also alter the flavor of breast milk and may lead to gassiness in some babies.
The Role of Individual Sensitivities
It’s important to note that not all babies react the same way to these foods. The sensitivity to certain dietary components can vary significantly from one infant to another. Some babies may be particularly sensitive to specific foods, while others may not show any adverse reactions at all. This variability means that mothers may need to engage in a bit of trial and error to identify which foods might be causing gas in their babies.
####Identifying Gas-Causing Foods for Breastfed Babies
Breastfed babies can sometimes experience gas and fussiness due to certain foods in the mother’s diet. According to the available evidence, some of the common culprits that may cause gas in breastfed infants include:
– Dairy products
– Broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables,,
– Beans,
– Eggs
– Garlic
– Spicy foods
The reason these foods can cause gas is that the compounds and nutrients from the mother’s diet pass through the breastmilk and can be difficult for the baby to digest., While the evidence is limited, it seems that a small number of babies may be more sensitive to certain foods in the mother’s diet.
Identifying Gas in Breastfed Babies
Signs that a breastfed baby may be experiencing gas include:
– Fussiness or crying after feedings
– Squirming or appearing uncomfortable
– Passing more gas than usual
If a mother notices these signs in her baby, she may want to experiment with eliminating potential gas-causing foods from her diet to see if it provides relief.,
Managing Gas in Breastfed Babies
In addition to adjusting the mother’s diet, other strategies to help soothe a gassy breastfed baby include:
– Burping the baby frequently during and after feedings
– Holding the baby in positions that can help release gas, like laying them on their back and gently moving their legs in a bicycling motion
– Using gas drops or simethicone to help break up gas bubbles
– Ensuring the baby is latching properly during feedings
By identifying and avoiding potential gas-causing foods, and using other soothing techniques, mothers can help provide relief for their gassy breastfed babies. ,

Which fruit is not good for feeding a mother?

Strawberries. Kiwifruit. Pineapple. The gassy veggies like onion, cabbage, garlic, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumbers, and peppers.

What foods decrease milk supply?

Top 5 food / drinks to avoid if you have a low milk supply:

  • Carbonated beverages.
  • Caffeine – coffee, black tea, green tea, etc.
  • Excess Vitamin C & Vitamin B –supplements or drinks with excessive vitamin C Or B (Vitamin Water, Powerade, oranges/orange juice and citrus fruits/juice.)

How do I know if my breast milk is causing gas?

Common symptoms of gas in breastfed babies:
Spitting up (while typically completely normal): May be a sign of gas build up within the stomach. Trapped gas bubbles can push some breastmilk back up. Excessive flatulence (again, usually completely normal and a natural way to relieve the pressure of gas)

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.

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 are the top foods that bother breastfed babies?

Foods like beans, broccoli, cauliflower, or some dairy products can cause fussiness, gassiness, or colicky behavior in some babies. Foods like cow’s milk, soy, wheat, corn, oats, eggs, nuts and peanuts, and fish or shellfish are common allergy-causing foods.

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.

What foods make babies gassy while breastfeeding?

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.

What is the best position to breastfeed to avoid gas?

Use positions for feeding that keep baby’s head higher than her tummy, such as a laid-back position or having baby diagonally across your chest in a cradle hold. Avoid positions that have baby bending at the waist, putting more pressure on her tummy.

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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