If you're breastfeeding and your little one's coos are replaced by cries, your baby may be experiencing discomfort because of trapped gas. Choosing your foods carefully can help reduce the amount of gas your baby experiences, says Dr. Zubaida Sadik, a board-certified pediatrician in Freehold, New Jersey.
"In general, we advise all our nursing moms to avoid foods … that make the mom gassy," she says. When you're breastfeeding, the foods you eat directly affect your milk — so if you're eating gaseous foods, you and your baby may both end up with intestinal gas.
If you're wondering how to reduce gas in breastfeeding babies, consider consulting with your doctor. Here are some gassy foods to avoid while breastfeeding.
Broccoli
Although broccoli may offer a healthy dose of vegetables and vitamins, this food choice may make you both gassy, says Sadik. Broccoli is a soluble fiber that doesn't break down quickly in the intestines, making it difficult to digest. In fact, broccoli doesn't break down until it passes through the large intestine, which is where gas develops.
Beans and Lentils
Beans and lentils have high fiber content that can cause bloating, as well as sugar that is not easily broken down and absorbed by the intestines. Consuming this high-fiber food more than once a week could result in excessive gas for you and your newborn, Sadik says.
Caffeine
Foods and beverages with caffeine often result in excessive gas for mom and baby, according to Sadik. Your baby's digestive system is still developing, and he can't excrete caffeine as well as an adult when it is ingested through breast milk. Although it is safe to have caffeine while breastfeeding, consume it in moderation, because the energy boost from caffeine could also disrupt your baby's sleep schedule.
Hot and Spicy Dishes
Spicy foods can increase stomach acid and cause your baby to feel bloated and gassy. In particular, Sadik recommends avoiding onion powder, black pepper, horseradish sauce, and hot sauce until your child is no longer breastfeeding.
Chocolate
Chocolate can cause excessive gas in babies when the mother consumes it in excess, Sadik says. That's primarily due to the high caffeine content. The amount of "excess" may vary from one mother to the next, but Sadik advises against indulging in sweets daily.
Orange Juice
The high acidic content in orange juice can irritate a baby's developing gastro-intestinal system. More than one glass a day will have an impact on the baby. Sadik says to limit your juice intake to once a week and supplement your diet with fresh fruits containing vitamin C.
Cow's Milk
Typically, dairy foods will cause the most gas for moms and babies, says Leigh Anne O'Connor, a New York–based lactation consultant. She says it's because the protein is hard to digest. An alternative would be almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
