What should mother eat when baby has colic?

Understanding Colic in Infants
Colic is a common condition affecting many newborns, characterized by excessive crying and fussiness, often without an apparent cause. While the exact reasons for colic remain unclear, it typically manifests in the first few weeks of life and can last until the baby is around three to four months old. For breastfeeding mothers, understanding how their diet can influence their baby’s comfort is crucial.
Dietary Recommendations for Breastfeeding Mothers
When a baby is experiencing colic, mothers can take proactive steps through their diet to potentially alleviate the symptoms. Here are some key dietary considerations:
1. Hydration and Balanced Nutrition: It’s essential for breastfeeding mothers to stay well-hydrated. Drinking plenty of water supports milk production and overall health. A balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy is recommended to ensure that both mother and baby receive necessary nutrients.
2. Focus on Cooked Foods: Incorporating slow-cooked meals, such as soups and stews, can be beneficial. These foods are generally easier to digest and less likely to cause gastrointestinal distress in the baby. It’s advisable to limit the intake of raw foods and meals that are consumed straight from the refrigerator or freezer, as these can be harsher on a developing gut.
3. Avoiding Certain Foods: Some foods may exacerbate colic symptoms in infants. Mothers should consider avoiding common allergens and foods known to cause gas or discomfort, such as dairy products, caffeine, spicy foods, and certain cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower. Each baby is unique, so it may be helpful for mothers to keep a food diary to track any correlations between their diet and their baby’s colic symptoms.
4. Listening to the Baby’s Reactions: If a mother suspects that a particular food is causing issues, it may be wise to eliminate it from her diet for a period to observe any changes in the baby’s behavior. This trial-and-error approach can help identify specific triggers that may be contributing to colic.
5. Consulting Healthcare Professionals: It’s always a good idea for mothers to discuss their diet with a healthcare provider, especially if colic persists. A pediatrician or a lactation consultant can provide personalized advice and support, helping mothers navigate dietary changes effectively.
Conclusion
While colic can be a challenging experience for both infants and their mothers, dietary adjustments can play a significant role in managing symptoms. By focusing on hydration, balanced nutrition, and being mindful of food choices, breastfeeding mothers can help create a more comfortable environment for their babies. Ultimately, patience and observation are key, as each baby may respond differently to dietary changes.

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.

How do parents survive colic babies?

Sometimes a baby needs a little time alone—and you may need it, too. Take a stress break. Ask a friend or relative to watch the baby while you walk, bathe, and calm yourself so you can better handle crying. A colic support group can help you cope until your baby outgrows crying.

What foods make breastfed babies gassy?

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 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.

What to eat for a colic baby?

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 should a mother avoid when a baby has colic?

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.

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.

Does mom’s diet affect baby colic?

The preliminary data suggest a correlation between infantile colic in breastfed infants and their mother’s consumption of cow’s milk and allergenic products (evidence level A). Use of hypoallergenic diets by breastfeeding mothers may help to reduce colicky symptoms in some infants.

What worsens colic in babies?

Foods that are passed through your breast milk to your baby may trigger 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.

What can mom eat to help baby with colic?

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.