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What to avoid eating breastfeeding gassy baby?

Understanding Gassiness in Breastfed Babies
Breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial way to nourish infants, but it can sometimes lead to concerns about gassiness in babies. Many new mothers wonder if their diet could be contributing to their baby’s discomfort. While breast milk is generally well-tolerated, certain foods consumed by the mother can lead to increased gas 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 or proteins found in cow’s milk, leading to symptoms such as fussiness and gas. If a mother notices her baby becoming gassy after she consumes dairy, it may be wise to eliminate these products from her diet for a period to see if symptoms improve.
Cruciferous Vegetables: Vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts are known for their gas-producing properties. These foods contain complex carbohydrates that can be difficult for some digestive systems to break down, potentially leading to increased gas production. If a baby is particularly gassy, mothers might consider avoiding these vegetables for a few weeks.
Beans and Legumes: Similar to cruciferous vegetables, beans and legumes are notorious for causing gas. They contain oligosaccharides, which can ferment in the gut and produce gas. Mothers may want to limit their intake of these foods if they notice a correlation with their baby’s gassiness.
Certain Fruits: Some fruits, particularly those high in fructose or sorbitol, can also contribute to gas. Apples, pears, and cherries are examples of fruits that might cause issues for sensitive babies. Monitoring the baby’s reaction after the mother consumes these fruits can help determine if they should be avoided.
Spicy Foods: While not universally problematic, some babies may react to spicy foods consumed by their breastfeeding mothers. Spices can alter the flavor of breast milk and may lead to digestive discomfort in some infants.
Monitoring and Adjusting Diet
It’s important for breastfeeding mothers to pay attention to their diet and their baby’s reactions. If a baby shows signs of gassiness, such as excessive fussiness, crying, or difficulty passing gas, it may be beneficial to keep a food diary. This can help identify potential triggers and allow for adjustments to be made.
Mothers are encouraged to eliminate suspected foods for a few weeks and then gradually reintroduce them one at a time. This method can help pinpoint specific foods that may be causing issues without unnecessarily restricting the mother’s diet.
Conclusion
While breastfeeding is a wonderful way to bond with and nourish a baby, it can come with challenges, including gassiness. By being mindful of certain foods—particularly dairy, cruciferous vegetables, beans, certain fruits, and spicy foods—mothers can help alleviate their baby’s discomfort. Each baby is unique, so what affects one may not affect another, making careful observation and adjustment key to a happy breastfeeding experience.

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 should breastfeeding mothers eat to prevent colic?

Vegetables

  • Avocado.
  • Beets.
  • Sprouts.
  • Celery.
  • Corn.
  • Carrots.
  • Pumpkin.
  • Sweet Potato.

What foods make breastfed babies gassy?

Foods That Make Breastfed Babies Gassy

  • Fiber. Foods like bran, beans, and whole grains.
  • Fruit. Citrus fruits, prunes, plums, peaches, or apricots.
  • Vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.
  • Garlic. Garlic-seasoned foods like pasta dishes or garlic bread.
  • Dairy.
  • Carbonated beverages.

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.

How can I reduce my baby’s gas while breastfeeding?

What can I do to help my baby with gas?

  1. Make sure your baby has a good latch so he doesn’t swallow too much air.
  2. Burp him throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas.
  3. Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly.
  4. Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet.

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.

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 decrease milk supply?

Top 5 food / drinks to avoid if you have a low milk supply:

  • Carbonated beverages.
  • 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.)

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.

Does cutting out dairy help a gassy baby?

Dairy Or Milk Products
The intake of certain milk or soy proteins can potentially cause gas in breastfed infants. However, if you discover that dairy is the culprit for your little one’s gassiness, they may just have a dairy allergy.

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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