Why is my breastmilk making my baby fussy?

Understanding Your Baby’s Fussiness
If you’ve noticed that your breastfed baby is fussy, it can be a source of concern and frustration. While it’s common for infants to experience periods of fussiness, several factors related to breastfeeding and maternal diet can contribute to this behavior.
The Role of Maternal Diet
One significant factor that can affect your baby’s comfort is your diet. Certain foods you consume may lead to discomfort in your breastfed baby. For instance, dairy products are known to be common culprits; if your baby has a dairy allergy, symptoms can include excessive gas, colic, and even abnormal stool colors. Other foods that might cause issues include caffeine, cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage, and garlic. If you suspect that your diet is impacting your baby’s mood, consider eliminating these foods for a period to see if there’s an improvement.
Gas and Feeding Techniques
Gas is a normal part of any gastrointestinal system, but it can be particularly troublesome for breastfed babies. They may swallow air while feeding, especially if they are eating too quickly or if the milk flow is too fast. This can lead to discomfort and fussiness. If your baby seems to be struggling with gas, try adjusting their feeding position or ensuring they are latched properly to minimize air intake.
Milk Supply and Flow
Another aspect to consider is your milk supply. If you have an oversupply of milk, your baby might become overwhelmed by the fast flow, leading to fussiness at the breast.Potential Causes of Fussiness in Breastfed Babies
There are several potential reasons why your breastmilk may be causing your baby to be fussy:
Diet and Food Sensitivities
Your diet can affect the composition of your breastmilk, which may lead to digestive issues for your baby. Some common culprits include:
– Dairy products: Babies can develop an allergy or sensitivity to the proteins in cow’s milk, leading to symptoms like colic, gas, and fussiness.
– Spicy, gassy, or acidic foods: Things like broccoli, cabbage, garlic, and caffeine can pass into your breastmilk and upset your baby’s stomach.
Oversupply or Forceful Letdown
If you have an oversupply of breastmilk or a very forceful letdown, your baby may gulp down too much milk too quickly, leading to gas, spit-up, and fussiness.
Reflux or Gas
Some babies are simply more prone to reflux or gas, which can cause discomfort and fussiness during and after feedings. This may not be directly related to your diet.
Normal Newborn Fussiness
It’s also important to note that some fussiness is just a normal part of newborn behavior, especially in the evenings, and may not be caused by your breastmilk at all.
Addressing Fussiness
If you suspect your diet is the culprit, try eliminating potential trigger foods one at a time to see if it makes a difference for your baby. You can also try paced bottle-feeding or other techniques to manage oversupply or forceful letdown. If the fussiness persists, speak to your pediatrician or a lactation consultant for further guidance.

How do I know if my whole milk is upsetting my baby?

What Are the Signs & Symptoms of a Milk Allergy?

1. wheezing.
2. trouble breathing.
3. coughing.
4. hoarseness.
5. throat tightness.
6. stomach upset.
7. vomiting.
8. diarrhea.

Why is my breast milk upsetting my baby?

Babies love the flavors of foods that come through in your milk. Sometimes, though, a baby may be sensitive, not allergic, to something you eat, such as dairy products like milk and cheese. Soy, eggs, wheat, corn, beef and nuts are also common causes of food sensitivity.

Why is my breastfed baby suddenly fussy?

Reflux and gas can also cause your baby to act fussy. If your baby has reflux, milk will move from the stomach through the esophagus (the tube leading from the throat to the stomach) and out into the mouth, causing your baby to spit up. To help alleviate your baby’s reflux and gas, think about changing your diet.

What foods cause gas in babies while 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.

How do you know if breast milk is not agreeing with a baby?

If your baby shows negative symptoms after drinking breast milk. Consider how your baby responds to breast milk after drinking it. 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.

Why is my baby fussy after drinking my breast milk?

A baby’s digestive system isn’t fully developed, so a mom’s diet might make for a fussy baby, especially if they’re sensitive to that food. You’ll know if your breast milk is upsetting baby if they are unusually gassy or fussy after eating.

How do I know if my baby is intolerant to breast milk?

Here are some steps you can take to determine if your baby has an allergy. Observe your baby’s behavior: Watch for any unusual changes in baby’s behavior after feeding. Look for signs such as excessive fussiness, colic-like symptoms, frequent crying, irritability, or difficulty sleeping.

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.

Why does my baby pull away and cry while breastfeeding?

Sometimes, your milk lets down so fast that your baby can have trouble swallowing the amount of milk that’s being released. Because of this, your baby may act fussy at breast or choke and sputter at the breast, and he or she may be quite gassy.

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.