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What upsets babys stomach when breastfeeding?

Understanding What Upsets a Baby’s Stomach During Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding is a natural and beneficial way to nourish infants, but it can sometimes lead to discomfort for babies. Understanding the factors that contribute to an upset stomach in breastfed babies is crucial for new parents navigating this journey.
Dietary Influences on Baby’s Comfort
One of the primary factors that can upset a baby’s stomach while breastfeeding is the mother’s diet. Certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers can pass into breast milk and potentially cause discomfort for the baby. Common culprits include dairy products, soy, wheat, and certain vegetables like beans, broccoli, and cabbage, which are known to produce gas. If a mother notices her baby becoming unusually gassy or fussy after feeding, it may be beneficial to keep a food journal to identify any specific triggers.
Signs of Sensitivity
Babies may exhibit various signs if they are sensitive to something in their mother’s milk. These signs can include excessive gassiness, fussiness, or even colicky behavior. It’s important for parents to be observant; if a baby seems uncomfortable after breastfeeding, it may indicate that something in the mother’s diet is affecting them.
Breastfeeding Techniques and Their Impact
Beyond dietary factors, breastfeeding techniques can also play a role in a baby’s digestive comfort. For instance, an overactive letdown reflex can lead to a baby ingesting too much milk too quickly, which may upset their stomach. Techniques such as breast massage and gentle compression can help manage the flow of milk, ensuring that the baby feeds at a comfortable pace.
The Role of Fat Content in Breast Milk
The composition of breast milk can vary, particularly in terms of fat content, which is influenced by how empty the breast is before feeding. If a mother has not breastfed for a whileWhat Can Upset a Baby’s Stomach While Breastfeeding?
Diet and Breastfeeding: The foods and drinks a breastfeeding mother consumes can sometimes upset a baby’s stomach. Certain foods like dairy, soy, wheat, beans, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts can cause gas, bloating, and fussiness in some breastfed babies.
Overactive Letdown: An overactive letdown reflex, where milk flows too quickly, can also upset a baby’s stomach. This can cause the baby to gulp air and become gassy or fussy. Gentle breast massage and compression before and during feedings can help manage an overactive letdown.
Stomach Flu: If a breastfeeding mother has the stomach flu or viral gastroenteritis, it can potentially affect the baby, though breastfeeding is still recommended as it provides antibodies to help protect the baby.
Identifying Triggers: Keeping a food journal can help breastfeeding mothers identify specific foods that may be upsetting their baby’s stomach. Eliminating potential trigger foods for a few weeks can help determine if they are the cause of the baby’s discomfort.
Seeking Support: If a breastfed baby is experiencing persistent stomach upset, it’s best to consult with a lactation consultant or pediatrician to get to the root of the issue and find solutions to keep the baby comfortable.

Why is my breast milk making my baby sick?

Reflux and breastfeeding. When your baby brings up milk, or is sick during or after feeding, this is known as reflux. Reflux is quite common and babies usually grow out of it by the age of 1.

How do I know if my breastmilk is upsetting my baby’s tummy?

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.

What foods upset babies while breastfeeding?

What not to eat and drink when breastfeeding

  • 1 mug of filter coffee = 140mg.
  • 1 mug of instant coffee = 100mg.
  • 1 mug of tea = 75mg.
  • 1 (250ml) can of energy drink = 80mg (larger cans may contain up to 160mg caffeine)
  • 1 (354mls) cola drink = 40mg.
  • 1 (50g) plain chocolate bar = up to 50mg.

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.

Why does my baby’s stomach hurt while breastfeeding?

Common causes of gas discomfort in breastfed babies:
Constipation. Immature digestive tract is still learning to process breastmilk, gas, and stool effectively. Sensitivity or allergy to a food in mom’s diet.

What foods should breastfeeding mothers eat to prevent colic?

It is most important to consume a diet with plenty of water and an adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy sources.

What does baby poop look like with a milk allergy?

Green, bloody, or mucus-tinged stool—along with some other issues—could indicate a milk allergy. If you suspect your baby has a cow’s milk protein allergy, keep an eye out for these common issues that may occur shortly after feeding: wheezing, coughing, swelling, a rash, gas, crying, and unusual poops.

How to tell if baby isn’t tolerating breast milk?

Fussiness before eating because of hunger, during the feeding and then more fussy as they become more uncomfortable can be common. “Children with MSPI may cry 18 hours or more a day and may develop weight loss, congestion, repeated vomiting, reflux, and certain kinds of skin rashes.

Can breastmilk irritate baby’s stomach?

“There’s just not enough food proteins in breast milk to cause such a reaction. But there is enough to cause gut issues.” If your child is allergic to cow’s milk, for them to experience symptoms of an allergic reaction, they would have to drink cow’s milk on their own.

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.

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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