Foods that cause gassiness for a nursing mother may not necessarily make her baby fuss. Conversely, substances in breast milk that trouble a baby may not have caused the mother discomfort. In light of this disconnect, nursing mothers need to be careful about what foods they forgo. Nursing requires a healthy diet including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, protein and calcium-rich foods. If gassiness is a concern, good journaling may help identify dietary culprits.
Unfamiliar Flavors
Unfamiliar substances in mother's milk may taste bad to babies and cause them to fuss or stop feeding. A mother who doesn't regularly eat spicy foods may discover that her baby doesn't want to nurse after she has consumed hot Mexican or Thai dishes. But babies whose mothers ate strongly flavored foods during pregnancy will likely find those flavors familiar, because the flavors were in their amniotic fluid. The Baby Center website says that unborn babies ingest a significant amount of amniotic fluid.
Tracking Patterns
Nemours' Kids Health website says that while some babies may get colicky after mom eats beans or broccoli, others may be fine. Baby Center says mothers also report objections to chocolate, spices, citrus fruits, strawberries, kiwifruit, pineapple, cherries and plums. Baby Center adds that if you have eaten something that is bothering your baby, you probably consumed it 2 to 6 hours before breastfeeding.
It's a good idea to keep a daily food journal to track patterns of fussiness. Kids Health says that after observing a pattern, it's important to report it to your physician, who may suggest eliminating the food for a few days to gain more information. Sometimes this helps identify food allergies or sensitivities.
Food Allergies and Sensitivities
A baby's gassiness or stomach pain sometimes is a symptom of food allergies or sensitivities. Cow's milk, corn or corn syrup, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts, soy and wheat contain substances that are common allergens. Aside from tummy trouble, susceptible babies may respond by regularly spitting up or vomiting, getting congested, developing rashes or swelling, wheezing, having trouble breathing and diarrhea. Call 911 immediately if your baby's face swells or he has trouble breathing, because this indicates a dangerous allergic response.
Normal Gassiness
Gas is a natural part of the digestive process, according to Baby Center Lactation Consultant Jan Barger. Everyone, from babies to adults, passes gas at some time. Barger says that many foods that make an adult feel gassy aren't related to food allergies or sensitivities. They may cause a local reaction in your gastrointestinal tract, but won't affect breast milk.
Also, the Kids Health website points out that babies can get gas from other causes, including sucking in a lot of air when crying. Dr. Larissa Hirsch of Kids Health reminds parents to try burping babies in a variety of positions to find the right way to relieve their discomfort.
References
- BabyCenter: Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid While Breastfeeding?; Karen Pryor, et al.
- KidsHealth: Breastfeeding FAQs -- Your Eating and Drinking Habits; Larissa Hirsch, MD; May 2008
- BabyCenter: Will My Breastfed Baby Get Gas If I Eat Certain Foods?; Jan Barger
- KidsHealth: Baby Basics -- Burping Your Baby; Larissa Hirsch, MD; May 2010
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