What foods make babies gassy through breastmilk?

Understanding Gassiness in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is often celebrated as a natural and beneficial way to nourish infants, but it can sometimes lead to concerns about gassiness in babies. Many mothers wonder if their diet is contributing to their baby’s discomfort. While breast milk is generally well-tolerated, certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can lead to increased gas in their babies.
Common Culprits of Gassiness
Research and anecdotal evidence suggest that certain foods are more likely to cause gassiness in breastfed infants. Beans, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are frequently cited as common offenders. These foods are known for their high fiber content and complex carbohydrates, which can lead to gas production in the mother’s digestive system. Although the gas itself does not transfer into breast milk, the digestive effects can influence the baby’s comfort.
In addition to these vegetables, garlic and spicy foods can also contribute to gassiness. Foods seasoned with garlic or containing strong spices may alter the flavor of breast milk, potentially leading to digestive upset in sensitive babies.
Dairy and Other Considerations
Dairy products are another category that some mothers find problematic. While not all babies are affected, some may experience increased gassiness or fussiness after their mothers consume milk, yogurt, or cheese. This could be due to lactose intolerance or sensitivity, which varies from baby to baby.
Carbonated beverages are also worth mentioning. If a mother consumes fizzy drinks, the carbonation can lead to increased burping and gas, which might indirectly affect the baby.
Monitoring and Adjusting Diet
For mothers concerned about their baby’s gassiness, keeping a food diary can be a helpful strategy. By tracking what they eat and noting any changes in their baby’s behavior, mothers can identify potential triggers. If certain foods seem to correlate with increased gassiness, it may be beneficial to eliminate them from the diet for a period to see if symptoms improve.
Conclusion
While breastfeeding is a natural and healthy way to feed infants, it can sometimes lead to gassiness due to the mother’s diet. Foods like beans, cruciferous vegetables, garlic, and dairy are commonly associated with increased gas. By being mindful of their diet and observing their baby’s reactions, mothers can help alleviate discomfort and ensure a more pleasant breastfeeding experience.

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.

What foods cause breast milk to make baby gassy?

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.

How to avoid gas while breastfeeding?

What can I do to help my baby with gas?

1. Make sure your baby has a good latch so he doesn’t swallow too much air.
2. Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas.
3. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly.
4. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet.

Which fruit is not good for feeding a mother?

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

Why can’t you eat chocolate while breastfeeding?

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.

Are there foods to avoid while breastfeeding?

Generally, women do not need to limit or avoid specific foods while breastfeeding. Mothers should be encouraged to eat a healthy and diverse diet. However, certain types of seafood should be consumed in a limited amount. Some mothers may wish to restrict caffeine while breastfeeding.

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.

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)