What to eat when breastfeeding a colic baby?

Understanding Colic in Breastfed Babies
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, many parents wonder if a breastfeeding mother’s diet could play a role in exacerbating their baby’s symptoms.
The Importance of a Balanced Diet
For breastfeeding mothers, maintaining a well-rounded diet is crucial not only for their own health but also for the well-being of their infants. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy is recommended to ensure that both mother and baby receive essential nutrients. Staying hydrated is equally important, as adequate water intake supports milk production and overall health.
Foods to Avoid
Certain foods have been identified as potential triggers for colic symptoms in breastfed infants. Common culprits include:
– Dairy Products: Some babies may react negatively to proteins found in cow’s milk, leading to increased gas and discomfort.
– Wheat and Gluten: These can also contribute to digestive issues in sensitive infants.
– Soy Products: Similar to dairy, soy can provoke reactions in some babies.
– Cruciferous Vegetables: Foods like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage are known for their gas-producing properties.
– Caffeine and Spicy Foods: These can affect a baby’s sleep and overall comfort.
It’s important to note that these foods can enter breast milk and potentially upset a baby within just a couple of hours after consumption. Therefore, mothers may need to experiment with their diets to identify any specific triggers.
Healthy Fats and Their Role
While some fats can induce colic, healthy fats are essential for a baby’s development. Incorporating sources like avocados, nuts, and seeds can provide necessary nutrients without significantly increasing the risk of colic. However, moderation is key, and mothers should monitor their baby’s reactions to these foods.
Practical Tips for Nursing Mothers
To help manage colic symptoms in their babies, breastfeeding mothers can consider the following strategies:
1. Keep a Food Diary: Tracking what you eat and your baby’s reactions can help identify problematic foods.
2. Introduce New Foods Gradually: This allows for easier identification of any adverse reactions.
3. Consult a Pediatrician or Lactation Consultant: Professional guidance can provide tailored advice and support.
Conclusion
Navigating the challenges of breastfeeding a colic baby can be daunting, but understanding the impact of maternal diet can empower mothers to make informed choices. By focusing on a balanced diet while being mindful of potential triggers, mothers can help soothe their babies and promote a happier breastfeeding experience.

What foods give baby gas when breastfeeding?

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 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.

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 is the difference between colic and gas?

Spotting the difference between colic and gas involves paying attention to patterns. Colic tends to show up as intense crying around the same time each day, happening at least three times a week for a minimum of three weeks. Gas, though it may cause fussiness, lacks the predictable rhythm of colic cries.

What foods are good for colic 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.

How can I reduce my colic while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding mothers may reduce colic by making sure the baby is getting lots of “hindmilk” at each feeding and not just “foremilk.” This can happen by making sure one breast is finished before offering the other or only offering one at feeding and emptying it completely.

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 not to eat if 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.

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.

Can breast milk make colic worse?

While breastmilk’s ingredients are typically protective for the breastfeeding baby, sometimes substances in mom’s milk can cause reactions in baby. For example, bovine IgG, a cow’s milk protein, levels were higher in the milk of mothers with colicky babies that those with babies not exhibiting signs of colic.