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What foods upset babies when breastfeeding?

Understanding Foods That May Upset Babies During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a crucial time for both mother and baby, and what a mother consumes can significantly impact her infant’s comfort and health. While many foods are generally safe, some can lead to digestive issues for babies, causing discomfort, gas, or even colic. Understanding these potential culprits can help mothers make informed dietary choices.
Common Offenders
Certain foods are frequently cited as problematic for breastfeeding infants. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are known to cause gas and bloating. If a baby appears gassy or colicky, it may be beneficial for mothers to eliminate these foods from their diet temporarily to see if symptoms improve.
Additionally, spicy foods can also be a source of discomfort. Ingredients like garlic, curry, and chili peppers may lead to increased indigestion in babies, resulting in fussiness.
Allergens and Sensitivities
Another significant factor to consider is food allergies. Common allergens include cow’s milk, soy, wheat, eggs, nuts, and fish. If a mother consumes these foods and notices adverse reactions in her baby, such as diarrhea, vomiting, or skin irritations, it is advisable to consult a healthcare provider and possibly eliminate these items from her diet.
Caffeine Considerations
Caffeine is another component that breastfeeding mothers should monitor. While small amounts (up to three drinks a day) are generally considered safe, excessive caffeine can pass into breast milk and potentially lead to irritability or sleep disturbances in infants.
The Role of Fiber
While a high-fiber diet is beneficial for mothers, it can sometimes lead to increased gas production, which may upset babies. Foods rich in fiber, while healthy, should be consumed with caution if a baby is particularly sensitive.
Conclusion
In summary, while breastfeeding, mothers should be mindful of their diets, particularly regarding foods that may cause gas or allergic reactions in their infants. By observing their baby’s reactions and adjusting their diets accordingly, mothers can help ensure a more comfortable breastfeeding experience for both themselves and their little ones. If there are persistent concerns about dietary impacts on a baby’s health, consulting a healthcare professional is always a wise step.

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 should mothers avoid while breastfeeding?

  • 1- Avoid any lactous products: Cheese, milk, icecream.
  • 2- Avoid green stuff: broccoli, lettuce, peas, cole.
  • 3- Avoid vegetables that can be a little too acid for their belly: peppers, potatoes.
  • 4-Use gripa water (sold in stores) to help baby digest breastmilk.

What foods should I avoid while breastfeeding a baby gassy?

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 fruits cause colic in breastfed babies?

Apricots, rhubarb, prunes, melons, peaches, and other fresh fruits.

What foods are not good for breast milk?

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.) Peppermint or spearmint: (food, gum or candy with mint flavor) Sage: (sausage, dressing, wild rice mix, etc)

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 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.

What foods make reflux worse 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 are the top foods that bother breastfed babies?

Now, in certain uncommon situations, babies can have a reaction to something in the breastfeeding parent’s diet. The top three culprits are dairy, soy, and wheat. But we don’t see too many babies reacting to foods like broccoli, cabbage, etc.

What upsets baby’s stomach when breastfeeding?

The eight common allergens are peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, soy, dairy, eggs, fish and shellfish. One of the most common food sensitivities among breastfed babies is dairy. “There is a lot of hidden dairy in foods,” Rebecca said.

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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