What should breastfeeding mothers eat to avoid colic?

Understanding Colic in Infants
Colic is a common yet distressing condition affecting many newborns, characterized by prolonged periods of crying and apparent discomfort. While the exact cause of colic remains elusive, research suggests that a breastfeeding mother’s diet may play a significant role in influencing her baby’s digestive comfort.
Nutritional Guidelines for Breastfeeding Mothers
To help mitigate the risk of colic in their infants, breastfeeding mothers should focus on a balanced and nutritious diet. Hydration is crucial, so mothers should ensure they are drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Additionally, a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy is recommended. These foods not only provide essential nutrients for the mother but also contribute to the quality of breast milk, potentially reducing digestive issues in infants.
Foods to Avoid
While many foods are beneficial, certain items may exacerbate colic symptoms in breastfed babies. Common culprits include dairy products, caffeine, and certain vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, which can lead to increased gas production. Some studies indicate that the consumption of cow’s milk and other allergenic foods may correlate with colicky symptoms in infants. Mothers are often advised to monitor their diet closely and consider eliminating these foods to see if there is an improvement in their baby’s condition.
The Role of Allergens
In particular, hypoallergenic diets have been suggested as a potential solution for breastfeeding mothers whose infants suffer from colic. This approach involves avoiding common allergens, which may help reduce colicky symptoms in some babies. It’s essential for mothers to consult with healthcare professionals before making significant dietary changes, ensuring that both their nutritional needs and those of their baby are met.
Conclusion
In summary, breastfeeding mothers can take proactive steps to potentially alleviate colic in their infants by maintaining a well-rounded diet while being mindful of specific foods that may trigger discomfort. By focusing on hydration and nutrient-rich foods while avoiding known irritants, mothers can contribute to a more comfortable and happier breastfeeding experience for their babies.

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 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 should breastfeeding mothers eat to prevent colic?

Diet. There is no evidence that changing your diet will help – however, some breastfeeding mums say that cutting down on spicy foods, caffeine and alcohol has made a difference for them. If you are mixed feeding (combining breast and bottle feeding), have a look at our guide to colic and bottle feeding.

What foods should I avoid if my baby has colic?

If your baby is colicky and you are breastfeeding, avoid eating or drinking the following foods for a few weeks to see if that helps.

• Stimulants, such as caffeine and chocolate.
• Dairy products and nuts. Your baby may have allergies to these foods.

What foods are anti-colic for breastfeeding?

There are also some foods that will encourage a healthy gut and can help prevent symptoms of colic. These include apples, pears, asparagus, carrot, celery, kale, corn, bananas, papaya, celery, beetroot, pumpkin, zucchini, mushrooms, teas (chamomile, dandelion, fennel and cardamom), bone broths and apple cider vinegar.

What is the best feed for colic?

Feeding Recommendations – Tympanic (gaseous) Colic

• Hay is preferable over haylage which, like grass, ferments more quickly in the hindgut producing more gas.
• Take care with access to spring or rich pasture.
• Avoid long spells of inactivity and keep the horse moving to encourage gut motility.

Is colic related to mother’s diet?

Some studies have shown that when the mothers of infants who were being breastfed abstained from milk and other dairy products, the incidence of colic in their babies dropped sharply.

What is the 3-3-3 rule for colic?

The most commonly accepted definition of colic, which originated in 1954,4 describes using the “rule of three”: crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for more than three weeks in an infant that is well-fed and otherwise healthy.

Is my breast milk causing colic?

Other foods that your breastfed baby may react to include nuts, soy, eggs, caffeine, garlic, spicy foods, and shellfish. You do not need to stop nursing. Breastfeeding is not a cause of colic, and babies who are fed infant formula get colic, too. Switching to formula may not help and may even make the situation worse.

How do you stop colic in breastfed babies?

Treatment

1. Using a pacifier.
2. Taking your infant for a car ride or on a walk in a stroller.
3. Walking around with or rocking your baby.
4. Swaddling your baby in a blanket.
5. Giving your baby a warm bath.
6. Rubbing your infant’s tummy or placing your baby on the tummy for a back rub.