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What food makes breastfed babies gassy?

Understanding Gassiness in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is often celebrated for its numerous health benefits, but it can also come with challenges, one of which is gassiness in babies. Many parents wonder if their diet might be contributing to their little one’s discomfort. The truth is, certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can indeed lead to increased gas in breastfed babies.
Common Culprits in a Mother’s Diet
Research indicates that some foods are more likely to cause gassiness in breastfed infants. Dairy products, soy, and wheat are frequently cited as potential offenders. These foods can lead to digestive issues in some babies, particularly if they have sensitivities or allergies. Additionally, gassy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, beans, and Brussels sprouts are known to produce gas in adults and can similarly affect infants when these foods are part of a mother’s diet.
The Role of Food Journals
To identify specific triggers, many experts recommend keeping a food diary. By tracking what you eat and noting your baby’s reactions, you may be able to pinpoint which foods are causing discomfort. This method allows for a more tailored approach to managing your diet while breastfeeding.
The Myth of Gassy Foods
Interestingly, there is some debate about the extent to which certain foods affect breastfed babies. While many believe that spicy foods and citrus fruits can lead to gassiness, some studies suggest that the impact may not be as significant as commonly thought. The flavors from a mother’s diet do pass into breast milk, but the actual gaseous effects may vary from baby to baby.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial way to nourish your baby, it can sometimes lead to gassiness due to the mother’s diet. By being mindful of certain foods and keeping a detailed food diary, mothers can help alleviate their baby’s discomfort. If gassiness persists, consulting with a pediatrician or a lactation consultant can provide additional guidance tailored to individual circumstances.

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.

What foods should breastfeeding mothers eat to prevent colic?

Vegetables

  • Avocado.
  • Beets.
  • Sprouts.
  • Celery.
  • Corn.
  • Carrots.
  • Pumpkin.
  • Sweet Potato.

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 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 makes breastfed babies fart a lot?

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 are breastfed babies sensitive to?

Babies love the flavors of foods that come through in your milk. Sometimes, though, a baby may be sensitive, not allergic, to something you eat, such as dairy products like milk and cheese. Soy, eggs, wheat, corn, beef and nuts are also common causes of food sensitivity.

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.

What foods make babies gassy from breast milk?

Food sensitivities and gas in breastfed babies
Some moms swear that when they eat foods such as dairy products, broccoli, cabbage, bananas, eggs, or garlic, their babies are gassy and fussy for up to the next 24 hours.

Which food is best for breastfeeding mothers?

Include protein foods 2-3 times per day such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts and seeds. Eat three servings of vegetables, including dark green and yellow vegetables per day. Eat two servings of fruit per day. Include whole grains such as whole wheat breads, pasta, cereal and oatmeal in your daily diet.

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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