Gas is a common ailment affecting newborn babies. Almost every newborn will get gas from time to time; some babies will have gas every day. If you're breastfeeding your newborn, you may wonder whether eating leafy green vegetables such as spinach and lettuce will make him gassy. What you eat can affect your baby, but the foods that are likely to cause gas may surprise you.
Spinach and Lettuce
Leafy green vegetables frequently give adults gas, so it seems reasonable to think that veggies such as spinach and lettuce would give your breastfeeding newborn gas as well. However, if your newborn is gassy, the greens from your salad probably aren't the problem. Spinach, lettuce and other leafy greens rarely cause gas in breastfed newborns.
Foods That Can Cause Gas
If you believe a certain food is passing through your breast milk and giving your newborn gas, look into how much dairy you're eating. Dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese can cause a newborn to get gassy when they pass through your breast milk. If you suspect that your newborn is getting gassy because you're consuming dairy products, cut them out for several days and see if your baby's gas goes away. If you eliminate dairy products completely, ask your doctor about a calcium supplement so you and your baby don't become calcium deficient. Wheat, peanuts and eggs can occasionally cause a newborn breastfeeding baby to have gas as well.
Symptoms of Gas
Gas can make your little one absolutely miserable. Her face may turn red and she may pull her knees up to her chest as she cries. The screaming may last for hours. You might notice your newborn passing gas if that's the reason for her crying.
Getting Rid of Gas
Gas is usually caused by your baby swallowing air while he nurses. This produces bubbles in his belly, and they don't feel very good. Try burping your baby halfway through each feeding and again at the end of the feeding. If burping doesn't help, put your baby down on a blanket on his back and move his legs in a "bicycling" motion: hold his feet and ankles gently and "cycle" his legs as if he's riding a bike. This may help pass some of that uncomfortable gas. Try massaging your newborn's belly just below his navel. Apply very gentle pressure with two fingers and rub his belly in small circles. Try holding your baby across your lap on his tummy and gently rub and pat his back. If his gas is very bothersome, ask his doctor about using gas-relief drops to help him feel better.
