Did you know that babies are naturally gassy? And sometimes foods we eat while breastfeeding a gassy baby can even worsen the situation. Well, there are numerous preventive measures you can follow to keep your little one comfortable. But, of course, sometimes, your baby will get gassy. You need to know the signs and symptoms of gas in breastfed babies and as well as know the foods not to eat to avoid gas in baby.
Best Foods to Eat While Breastfeeding a Gassy Baby – Foods to Avoid
What you eat can significantly influence your baby’s wellbeing. So, read on to discover the best foods to eat while breastfeeding a gassy baby in relation to foods to avoid, along with how to help your baby.
Signs & Symptoms of Gas in Breastfed Baby
We all experienced gas from now and then. Each person produces and expels it. And this is a natural outcome of food moving through the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria in the large intestine break down the food, which releases hydrogen and carbon dioxide. This leads to the appearance of bubbles of gas. Babies experience this, too, which is why burping is vital for them. Burping helps release gas from the stomach before it causes any issues. If you don’t burp your baby, the gas might not pass. As a result, it can collect in the digestive tract and cause discomfort and bloating.
Some of the most common symptoms of gas in breastfed babies include:
- crying while passing gas or soon after, especially if the crying happens when a baby is unlikely to be hungry or tired
- arching the back
- lifting the legs
- a swollen-looking stomach
- passing gas or belching
What causes gas in breastfed babies?
Almost all breastfed babies get gas. Some of the most frequent reasons why this happens are listed below.
1. Swallowing air
Babies are prone to swallowing air if they breastfeed incorrectly or drink from a bottle in specific positions. And they can swallow air by just babbling at you.
2. Excessive crying
Babies swallow a lot of air when they cry, and it can be difficult to determine whether the gas is causing the cry or the cry is causing the gas. Anyhow, soothing the baby is essential to avoid further issues.
3. Digestive problems
Catching a bug or developing a gastrointestinal condition can cause a lot of gas in babies. So, if you notice your baby is getting gassy too often, it might be the perfect time to seek expert advice.
4. Mom’s diet
Believe it or not, what you eat while breastfeeding influences the wellbeing of your baby. So, certain foods you eat can take a toll on your baby’s stomach. So you must take caution as to avoid certain foods as you breastfeed your gassy baby especially as mentioned in the section below under foods to avoid while breastfeeding a gassy baby, as they are not best foods to eat while breastfeeding a gassy baby.
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What can I do to help my baby with gas?
Before you get overly concerned about a gassy baby, you should know there are some steps you can take to soothe your little one.
1. Apply gentle pressure to your baby’s belly
A useful thing you can do is use tummy time to soothe your little one. This pose can put gentle pressure on your baby’s tummy, aids in gas relief. Remember that you should wait at least 30 minutes after feeding before putting your baby in this position.
2. Burp your baby during and after feeding
Burping is more important than you think! Having a small break while feeding to burp your baby can do wonders in preventing gas. Experts recommend burping a baby in a seated position.
3. Use infant massage on your baby’s tummy
You can achieve gas relief by massaging your baby’s tummy. Your baby must lay on his back. It would be best if you started to rub his tummy gently in a clockwise motion. This procedure aids in moving gas along and soothing the intestinal tract.
4. Bicycle your baby’s legs
Keeping your baby active can help with gas. So, another way to encourage natural bowel movements is by bicycling your baby’s legs. Using a circular motion, you should move your baby’s legs for a short period of time. It is both fun and beneficial for health!
5. Keep a food journal for your diet
Well, what you eat when you breastfeed your baby has a say in his well-being. Keeping a food journal is key to identifying the foods that cause gas in a breastfed baby. Babies can adapt fast to you getting into a new diet. But you shouldn’t overdo it! Ensure you follow a nutritious meal plan with plenty of vitamins and minerals to support the nutritional intake of your milk.
Foods that Cause gas in a breastfed baby
The bond between mother and her baby is wonderful. But this goes beyond that. If you eat foods that cause gas, it will create significant discomfort to your breastfed baby. Luckily, you can follow healthy eating habits by avoiding the following foods.
- Dairy products are potentially allergenic and can cause colicky symptoms.
- Caffeine-rich foods can cause caffeine sensitivity in babies, along with a lot of discomforts.
- Grans and nuts can cause gas in some babies.
- Spicy foods can take a toll on your breastmilk and make the baby refuse the milk or experience a lot of stomach issues.
- Gassy foods like broccoli, onions, or cabbage can bother babies.
Things NOT to eat while breastfeeding a gassy baby
While there may be no such special foods we can classify as best foods to eat while breastfeeding a gassy baby, there are certain food you must avoid, and not eat as you breastfeed your gassy baby or if you want to avoid gas in your baby.
A breastfeeding mother should always take the necessary precautions and avoid the following foods. Experts say that a healthy meal plan can ensure your breastmilk offers tremendous benefits to your little one.
What Not to Eat When Breastfeeding to Avoid Gas
1. Aerated beverages
Consuming aerated beverages while breastfeeding can increase toxins in our bodies. As a result, they affect your baby’s health, cause significant digestive problems and gas. It would be best if you chose naturally squeezed fruit drinks or lemonade.
2. Caffeine
As mentioned above, caffeinated beverages are extremely harmful to your breastfed baby. No matter if we’re talking about tea or coffee, these result in gas and bloating in your baby.
3. Some vegetables
We encourage you to research the vegetables that can cause gas in both adults and babies. Kidney beans, soy, broccoli, kale, and so on promote excessive gas. Besides, these can support colic and abdominal discomfort.
4. Energy drinks
If you’re breastfeeding your baby, you should completely avoid energy drinks. This can seriously harm your baby’s health since they are rich in preservatives and harmful chemicals. Besides making your little one uncomfortable, it can lead to long-term issues with his digestive tract.
5. Hot, spicy and garlicky foods
No matter if we’re talking about spicy or garlicky foods, most breastfed babies face discomfort when their moms follow such diet. These foods change the flavor of milk and interfere with the baby’s digestive system.
6. Fast foods
Junk food has little to no nutrition, and it is bad for your health and your baby’s. Fast foods are rich in highly processed components and preservatives. Eating this can cause colic and several harmful health conditions in your baby.
7. Dairy
Have you ever been told that drinking plenty of milk can increase your milk production? Well, there is no scientific proof to support that! And the fact is that high amounts of dairy in your diet can cause colic in babies. It interferes with your baby’s proper digestion and triggers cramps and bloating.
8. Eggs
In some babies, egg whites can cause a lot of gastric problems. Hence, if you regularly consume egg whites and notice your baby is gassy, it might be the perfect time to change your diet.
Preventing gas in babies
As a new mom, you might get overly concerned because of your gassy baby. Luckily, experts say there are some steps to take to prevent gas in your little one:
- Breastfeed for shorter periods and use regular intervals to aid your baby digest the milk better.
- Ask for medical advice on the best meal plan for a breastfeeding mom.
- Refrain from eating foods that can make a baby gassy.
- Ensure you follow a nutritious meal plan to offer your baby all the support he needs.
Most gassy babies can overcome the situation without medical supervision. But even though colic problems can be managed at home, we highly encourage you to ask for professional help. Sometimes your baby can get diarrhea or start vomiting. These are alarming symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.
The bottom line
The takeaway here is that you don’t need to diet, but instead pay close attention to what’s causing gas in your baby. Eating nutritious foods like fresh fruits and fish can ensure you and your baby gets the necessary nutritional intake. You should avoid the foods listed above so that you decrease the chances of your baby getting gassy. We recommend you discuss the best meal plan with your baby’s pediatrician to support your little one’s health. And, of course, if your baby experiences significant discomfort, you should always ask for medical advice!
Share your thought with us in the comment section on best foods to eat while breastfeeding a gassy baby, and foods not to eat when breastfeeding to avoid gas.
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