What foods to avoid when breastfeeding gassy babies?

Understanding Gassiness in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is a beautiful journey, but it can come with its challenges, particularly when it comes to a baby’s digestive comfort. Many mothers find themselves grappling with the issue of gassiness in their little ones. While breast milk is generally well-tolerated, certain foods in a mother’s diet can contribute to gas and discomfort in breastfed babies.
Foods to Avoid
Dairy Products: One of the most common culprits linked to gassiness in breastfed babies is dairy. Many infants can be sensitive to lactose, the sugar found in milk, which can lead to increased gas production. Mothers may want to consider eliminating dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt from their diets to see if it alleviates their baby’s symptoms.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are known for their gas-producing properties. These foods contain complex carbohydrates that can be difficult for some babies to digest, leading to bloating and discomfort. If a baby is particularly gassy, it may be beneficial for mothers to avoid these vegetables for a few weeks .
Beans and Legumes: Similar to cruciferous vegetables, beans and legumes are notorious for causing gas. Foods such as lentils, chickpeas, and black beans can contribute to digestive issues not only for adults but also for breastfed infants. Monitoring the intake of these foods can help in managing a baby’s gassiness.
Soy Products: Soy is another potential trigger for gassiness in breastfed babies. This includes soy milk, tofu, and other soy-based products. If a mother suspects that soy might be affecting her baby, it may be wise to eliminate it from her diet temporarily.
Spicy Foods: While many mothers enjoy spicy cuisine, these foods can sometimes lead to digestive upset in babies. Spices can alter the flavor of breast milk and may cause discomfort for sensitive infants. If gassiness is an issue, reducing spicy foods could be a helpful strategy.
Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits, while healthy, can also lead to digestive issues in some babies. The acidity in these fruits may irritate a baby’s stomach, resulting in gas and fussiness. Mothers might consider limiting their intake of oranges, lemons, and grapefruits if they notice a correlation with their baby’s gassiness.
Carbonated Beverages: Sodas and other carbonated drinks can introduce gas into a mother’s system, which can then be passed to the baby through breast milk. These beverages can also lead to bloating and discomfort for the mother, making them a good candidate for elimination during breastfeeding.
Monitoring and Adjusting Diet
To effectively manage gassiness in breastfed babies, mothers are encouraged to keep a food journal. By tracking what they eat and noting any changes in their baby’s behavior, they can identify potential triggers more easily. This method allows for a tailored approach to diet, ensuring that both mother and baby can enjoy a more comfortable breastfeeding experience.
In conclusion, while breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial process, it requires some attention to dietary choices, especially when dealing with a gassy baby. By avoiding certain foods and closely monitoring their effects, mothers can help soothe their infants and create a more pleasant feeding 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 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 are babies sensitive to in breastmilk?

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.

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 foods spoil breast milk?

Here are 5 foods to limit or avoid while breastfeeding, as well as tips for how to tell if your diet is affecting your baby.

• Fish high in mercury.
• Some herbal supplements.
• Alcohol.
• Caffeine.
• Highly processed foods.

What does baby poop look like with a milk allergy?

Green, bloody, or mucus-tinged stool—along with some other issues—could indicate a milk allergy. If you suspect your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy, keep an eye out for these common issues that may occur shortly after feeding: wheezing, coughing, swelling, a rash, gas, crying, and unusual poops.

What foods cause colic in babies?

Some studies have found that particular foods eaten by the motherincluding cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, chocolate, onions and cow’s milkcan cause an attack of colic in her breastfed infant.

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.

How can I reduce my breastfed baby’s gas?

Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet. Try to learn which foods work and don’t work for you and your baby, and remember, each baby is uniquely different.

What foods can cause gas in breastfed babies?

Certain foods such as dairy, soy or wheat may contribute to gassiness in your little one. Keep a food journal while breastfeeding of what you eat to see if you can pinpoint the culprit in your diet.