Dante Carrillo
Breastfeeding mothers often wonder if their diet is causing their baby to be gassy and fussy. While there is limited scientific research proving a link between a mother's diet and her baby's intestinal issues, some babies might react to particular foods in their mother's diet. It is recommended that mothers keep a food journal while breastfeeding to see if they can identify any patterns between their diet and their baby's gas. While there is no special list of foods for mothers to avoid, dairy products, broccoli, cabbage, bananas, eggs, and garlic are among the foods that some mothers have linked to their babies' fussiness and gas.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific research on the link between a breastfeeding mother's diet and infant gas | Limited |
| Common allergens for infants | Cow's milk protein and soy |
| Foods to avoid or limit while breastfeeding | High-mercury fish, some herbs, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate |
| Potential allergenic foods that may cause gas in infants | Eggs, wheat, fish, peanuts, and other nuts |
| Foods that may cause gas in breastfeeding babies | Dairy, soy, wheat, fiber-rich foods (e.g., bran), most fruits (especially apricots, prunes, peaches), vegetables (e.g., broccoli, cabbage), garlic, carbonated beverages |
| Recommendations for breastfeeding mothers | Eat a well-balanced diet, drink when thirsty, and eat when hungry |
| Advice for identifying food sensitivities | Keep a food journal, observe patterns, and eliminate suspected foods for a few weeks to test for improvements |
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What You'll Learn
- Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, are the most common cause of gas in breastfed babies
- Other potentially allergenic foods include eggs, wheat, peanuts, and soy
- High-mercury fish, herbs, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate are foods to avoid or limit while breastfeeding
- Broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables can cause gas in both mothers and babies
- Babies may also swallow air while feeding, leading to gas, and carbonated drinks can make this worse
Dairy products, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, are the most common cause of gas in breastfed babies
It is important to note that there is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet cause intestinal issues in their babies. Most babies will tolerate the food consumed by their mothers, and breastfeeding mothers can usually eat a wide range of foods without problems. However, some babies might experience a temporary intolerance to dairy products in their mother's diet, including milk, yogurt, and cheese.
If you suspect that dairy products in your diet are causing your baby to have gas, you can try testing dairy alternatives to see if it resolves the issue. You can also try eliminating dairy products from your diet for a while to see if your baby's gas improves. It may take up to two or three days for the dairy to be completely out of your system, so it may take a few days to see any improvements in your baby's gas.
It is important to keep in mind that gas is a normal part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, and all babies have gas from time to time. Babies can also experience gas due to swallowing too much air, an immature GI system, or a fast letdown causing them to gulp quickly. If you are concerned about your baby's gas, you can try relieving their gas pains with the following methods:
- Try to coax two burps out of your baby instead of just one.
- Hold your baby in an upright position while burping to help expel gas.
- Lay your baby on their tummy to help push gas out.
- Put your baby on their back and move their legs in a pedaling motion to help with constipation.
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Other potentially allergenic foods include eggs, wheat, peanuts, and soy
While breastfeeding, mothers often wonder if their diet is contributing to their baby's fussiness and gas. It is important to note that there is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet cause intestinal issues in their babies. Each newborn and baby is unique, and mothers should be mindful of symptoms and how they shift as babies grow and with what they are fed.
Dairy products are the most likely culprit for a gassy breastfed baby. Some babies might experience a temporary intolerance to dairy from their mother's diet, but most will begin to tolerate cow milk proteins once they get older and move out of infancy. If you suspect dairy is the issue, consider testing dairy alternatives to see if your baby's gas improves.
Other potentially allergenic foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet, such as eggs, wheat, peanuts, and soy, could cause an allergic reaction in babies, although there is not much quality evidence. If anyone in your close family has a food allergy, it is recommended to talk to your doctor about whether it is advisable to avoid certain foods while breastfeeding. Babies with a food allergy usually have not only gas but also severe colic, skin rashes, vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing that lasts a few hours after they eat. If you notice any of these symptoms in your baby, contact your doctor right away, as severe food allergies can be life-threatening.
While there is limited evidence, some mothers report that their babies become gassy and fussy for up to 24 hours after they consume certain foods such as eggs, wheat, peanuts, or soy. It is important to monitor your baby's reaction to different foods and consult with your doctor if you have any concerns.
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High-mercury fish, herbs, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate are foods to avoid or limit while breastfeeding
Breastfeeding mothers often worry about how their diet may be contributing to their baby's gas and fussiness. However, there is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet directly cause intestinal issues in their babies. While most foods won't cause gastrointestinal issues, foods containing cow's milk protein are the most commonly reported substance to cause gas and fussiness in newborns and infants. Some babies might experience a temporary intolerance to dairy from their mother's diet, but most will grow out of it as they move out of infancy.
High-mercury fish, herbs, alcohol, caffeine, and chocolate are foods that breastfeeding mothers may want to avoid or limit. Firstly, regarding high-mercury fish, breastfeeding mothers should minimise mercury exposure in their diets. Mercury occurs naturally in the environment and is released through human activities, collecting in streams, lakes, and oceans where fish and other animals are exposed. Large, long-lived fish like swordfish, tuna, shark, king mackerel, and tilefish have higher levels of mercury. Mercury can pass from a mother to her baby through breast milk, potentially affecting the infant's brain and nervous system development.
Secondly, herbs like sage and peppermint in large amounts should be avoided as they can decrease milk supply and potentially harm the mother and/or baby. Thirdly, while drinking alcohol while breastfeeding is a personal choice, it is important to know that the level of alcohol in a mother's system is directly transferred through her breast milk. Alcohol can affect a baby's sleep patterns and development, and excessive drinking can impact a mother's milk production. If a mother chooses to drink, she should wait for the recommended amount of time for the alcohol to dissipate before feeding.
Additionally, caffeine should be limited or avoided as it can end up in breast milk and be slowly metabolised by babies, leading to sleep issues and irritability. Lastly, while chocolate is enjoyable, consuming large amounts can cause irritability and jitteriness in babies as it contains theobromine. Overall, while breastfeeding, it is important to be mindful of potential triggers for gas and fussiness in babies and adjust the diet accordingly.
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Broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables can cause gas in both mothers and babies
While breastfeeding, a mother's diet can cause gas in both her and the baby. Broccoli, cabbage, and other cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, and bok choy are known to cause gas in adults. However, this does not necessarily mean they will cause gas in a breastfed baby. The fibre that causes gas in adults does not pass into the breast milk.
Some mothers have linked broccoli and cabbage to gas in their babies. It is recommended that mothers eliminate suspect foods from their diet to see if their baby's gas improves. However, it is important to note that there is no good evidence that cutting these vegetables out of a mother's diet will reduce gas and fussiness in the baby.
There is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet cause intestinal issues in their babies. While most foods won't cause gastrointestinal issues in breastfed babies, foods containing cow's milk protein are the most commonly reported substance to cause gas in newborns and infants.
A small number of breastfed babies may be sensitive to dairy products in a mother's diet, resulting in excessive gas. Other potentially allergenic foods, including eggs, wheat, peanuts, soy, fish, and tree nuts, might also cause gas and other symptoms. It is recommended that mothers with a family history of food allergies consult their doctors about their diet while breastfeeding.
It is generally advised that breastfeeding mothers eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein.
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Babies may also swallow air while feeding, leading to gas, and carbonated drinks can make this worse
It is common for babies, especially newborns, to experience gas when breastfeeding. While breastfeeding, babies may swallow air, leading to gas. This is normal and is part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system. However, carbonated drinks can make this worse.
Carbonated beverages are filled with air bubbles that you essentially gulp down. This air needs to escape, and it can cause gas in babies when mothers consume these drinks. It is important to note that there is limited scientific research proving that a breastfeeding mother's diet causes intestinal issues in their babies. Each newborn and baby is unique, and mothers should be mindful of symptoms and how they change as babies grow and with what they are fed.
While most foods won't cause gastrointestinal issues in breastfed babies, some foods containing cow milk protein are the most commonly reported to cause gas and fussiness in newborns and infants. A small number of breastfed babies may have a true allergic reaction to cow's milk in their mother's diet. However, this does not mean there is a list of foods for mothers to avoid while breastfeeding, and most babies will outgrow their intolerance to cow's milk as they get older.
Some mothers have linked certain gas-inducing foods in adults, such as broccoli, cabbage, and dairy products, to gas in their babies. However, this may vary from baby to baby, and there is no guarantee that eliminating these foods will help. Health experts recommend only making dietary changes if you observe a direct connection between something you've eaten and your baby's gassiness.
If you suspect your baby is reacting to something in your diet, it is advisable to eliminate that food for a few weeks to see if your baby's symptoms improve. If they do, you may consider avoiding that food while breastfeeding or until your baby matures. It is also beneficial to keep a food journal while breastfeeding to help identify any patterns.
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Frequently asked questions
There is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother’s diet cause intestinal issues in their babies. However, some common foods that cause gas in adults, such as broccoli, cabbage, and dairy products, may cause gas in babies. If you suspect that a certain food is causing your baby to have gas, try eliminating it from your diet for two to three weeks to see if your baby's symptoms improve.
Symptoms of gas in breastfed babies include fussiness, trouble sleeping or eating, squirming, and pulling their legs up to their chest, especially while crying.
There are several ways to help relieve your baby’s gas pains:
- Try to coax two burps out of your baby instead of just one.
- Hold your baby in an upright position while burping to make it easier to expel gas.
- Lay your baby on their tummy to help push the gas out.
- Put your baby on their back and move their legs in a pedaling motion, similar to cycling on a bike, to help with constipation.
