What foods make reflux worse in breastfed babies?

Understanding Reflux in Breastfed Babies
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common condition in infants, characterized by the backward flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. While many babies experience this as a normal part of development, some may suffer from more severe reflux disease, which can lead to discomfort and feeding issues. For breastfeeding mothers, understanding how their diet can impact their baby’s reflux is crucial.
Foods That May Worsen Reflux
Certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can exacerbate reflux symptoms in their babies. Here are some key dietary culprits:
1. Caffeine-Containing Foods:
Caffeine is known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), the muscle that prevents stomach contents from flowing back into the esophagus. This relaxation can increase the likelihood of reflux. Common sources of caffeine include coffee, tea, soda, chocolate, and energy drinks.
2. Spicy and Fatty Foods:
Spicy meals can irritate the digestive tract and may lead to increased reflux symptoms. Similarly, high-fat foods can slow down digestion, causing the stomach to produce more acid and increasing the risk of reflux.
3. Citrus Fruits:
Fruits such as oranges, lemons, limes, and grapefruits are highly acidic. They not only contribute to acidity in the stomach but also relax the LES, making reflux more likely. Mothers may want to opt for less acidic fruits to help mitigate this issue.
4. Dairy Products:
Full-fat dairy products, including whole milk, cheese, and yogurt, can be problematic for some babies. These foods may lead to increased mucus production and can be harder to digest, potentially worsening reflux symptoms. Switching to low-fat dairy options may be beneficial.
5. Chocolate:
In addition to containing caffeine, chocolate is also high in fat, which can contribute to reflux. Its combination of these factors makes it a food to consider avoiding for breastfeeding mothers whose babies experience reflux.
Additional Considerations
While dietary changes can help manage reflux symptoms, it’s important for mothers to monitor their baby’s reactions closely. Each infant is unique, and what affects one baby may not affect another. Keeping a food diary can be a useful strategy for identifying specific triggers.
Moreover, after feeding, it is recommended to keep the baby upright for at least 30 minutes to help reduce the likelihood of reflux. This practice, combined with dietary adjustments, can provide relief for both mother and baby.
In conclusion, while reflux is a common issue among breastfed infants, understanding the impact of maternal diet can play a significant role in managing symptoms. By avoiding certain foods, mothers can help create a more comfortable feeding experience for their little ones.

What triggers reflux in babies?

Some factors that contribute to infant reflux are common in babies and often can’t be avoided. These include lying flat most of the time and being fed an almost completely liquid diet. Sometimes, infant reflux can be caused by more-serious conditions, such as: GERD.

Do certain foods cause breastfed babies to spit up?

Food sensitivities can cause excessive spitting up in babies. Products with cow milk in the mom or baby’s diet can be a common food sensitivity. Some babies can become distracted when feeding at the breast, pulling off to look around. This can cause babies to swallow air and spit up more often.

What foods make breast milk acidic?

Your diet does not directly affect the composition of your breast milk. Breast milk is composed of basic nutrient groups, such as fats, proteins and carbohydrates as well as hormones, enzymes and immune system boosters, such as white blood cells.

What food causes reflux in breastfed babies?

Citrus fruit, tomatoes, caffeine containing drinks (tea, coffee, coke) and chocolate may also need to be avoided by the breast-feeding mother of a reflux baby. Remember that all babies are different and different babies react to different foods – the list above is a guideline only.

What can be mistaken for reflux in babies?

Colic and silent reflux are two very difficult conditions to deal with in your baby’s early stages of development. Both of these conditions are extremely common in newborns and share some similar symptoms, hence why they are often confused with one another.

How I cured my baby’s reflux breastfeeding?

Helping your baby with reflux

1. get advice about your baby’s breastfeeding position.
2. hold your baby upright during feeding and for as long as possible after feeding.
3. burp (or wind) your baby regularly during feeds.
4. make sure your baby sleeps flat on their back (they should not sleep on their side or front)

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 to avoid while breastfeeding for gas?

If you notice that each time you eat something your baby becomes fussy, try avoiding the food for a while and see what happens. Many mothers have reported foods such as kale, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, peppers or spicy foods cause infant gas, while many babies tolerate these foods just fine.

What foods should I avoid if my baby has reflux?

Foods that can trigger reflux:
Food allergies can cause swelling in the lining of the esophagus. Your healthcare provider might recommend eliminating some foods, such as dairy, wheat, soy, egg, nuts, and fish. It is important to work with your healthcare provider to make sure the diet meets your child’s needs.

What is the root cause of reflux in infants?

When the LES is not fully developed, it allows stomach contents to flow back up into the esophagus. Over time, the LES typically matures. It opens when a baby swallows and remains tightly closed at other times, keeping stomach contents where they belong.