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Food to avoid for gassy baby


Foods to Eat or Avoid When Breastfeeding

Reviewed by Poonam Sachdev on June 26, 2022

It’s a good source of protein. Some, like salmon and tuna, also give you omega-3s, which your body needs. But what about mercury and other contaminants? You can have cooked seafood twice per week. Each serving can be up to 6 ounces, which is the size of two decks of cards. Choose types that are lower in mercury, such as salmon, tilapia, and trout. Avoid shark, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish, which have high levels of mercury.

Love hot sauce? Most babies can handle it and other fiery foods in your diet. But if your little one is gassy or colicky and gets diarrhea every time you sprinkle red pepper flakes over your pizza, cut back on the heat for a few weeks to see if that helps.  

They’re full of flavor. But some herbs may affect how much milk your body makes. For instance, eating a lot of  parsley could curb lactation. And too much sage and peppermint may cut your milk supply. For some nursing moms, even peppermint-flavored toothpaste and candies are a problem.

It’s rarely a problem. But see how your baby does. Tell your pediatrician if your tot gets skin problems, has trouble breathing after breastfeeding, or has other symptoms.

As refreshing as your cup of chai or Earl Grey may be, it has some downsides. It’s got caffeine, which can affect your sleep – and your baby’s. It may also make it harder for your body to absorb iron, which you need for energy. If you drink hot or iced tea, try not to sip it when you eat foods that are rich in iron, such as lean meat; dark, leafy greens; and fortified breakfast cereals.

What if you aren’t allergic, and you want to prevent your baby from developing an allergy? Sorry, but there’s no proof that you can do that by skipping specific foods. Cutting certain foods out of your diet may make the skin condition eczema less likely for your little one. Ask your doctor or pediatrician for advice.

Breastfeeding can make you thirstier than you usually are. If that’s the case, drink a glass of water every time you breastfeed. But no matter how parched you feel, don’t go for regular sodas or fruit drinks, which give you calories without nutrition.

It's best for your baby if you don't have any booze at all. But if you do choose to drink, don’t breastfeed until the alcohol has completely cleared your milk. For 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of liquor, wait at least 3 hours. Pumping doesn’t speed that up.

Common culprits include beans, broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts. Bloating, burping, and passing gas are normal. But if your baby is gassy or has colic, avoid these foods for a few weeks to see whether they relieve the symptoms.

Both have caffeine. You’ll also find it in energy drinks and cola. If you’re lost without your latte, limit yourself to 2-3 cups per day of the brewed kind. Or you could switch to decaf. 

IMAGES PROVIDED BY:

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SOURCES:

Mayo Clinic.

The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

La Leche League.

The American Academy of Pediatrics.

U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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What You Can Do To Help Your Gassy Breastfed Baby

What are some common culprits behind your baby's gassiness? Learn the signs, foods that may cause gassiness in your baby, and how to soothe and relieve his or her symptoms. 

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As a new parent, it can be stressful and upsetting to see and hear your baby cry. That’s especially true if you've checked off all the usual suspects— dirty diaper, empty belly, discomfort, or over-tiredness —and you still can’t seem to soothe your little one.

Gas is something that many newborns experience, and it can be painful for them!  It isn't always the first thing that parents remember to consider, since it's not something easily visible.

Signs Your Breastfed Baby is Gassy

If you suspect excess gas could be the culprit causing your baby’s fussiness, there are several signs that may indicate you are correct:

  • Burping. It’s possible your baby has swallowed too much air while nursing or crying for a long period.
  • Spitting up. While spitting up is perfectly normal, gas that’s trapped in the stomach can push breast milk back up and cause your baby to spit up.
  • Bloated tummy. This could be a sign that gas has built up in your baby’s stomach.
  • Flatulence. Every baby toots, but if they’re doing so excessively, it could mean they have excess gas.
  • Arched back, legs drawn toward the tummy. The discomfort from gas pains will make a baby try to adjust to alleviate it.

Gassy Baby Causes

Gas in a breastfed baby is not uncommon and can be attributed to several factors:

  • Gulping while feeding. If your milk let-down reflex is strong, your baby may gulp your milk to keep up and swallow extra air in the process. If that’s the case, your little one may do better nursing in a more upright position, so he or she has better control over milk intake and flow.
  • Introducing a bottle. If your baby is used to the breast and you begin feeding with a bottle, it may take some getting used to at first. As a result, he or she may swallow too much air while eating.
  • Constipation. When your baby is constipated, they may have gas trapped in their tummies that they’re having a hard time releasing.
  • Crying. If your baby has been crying for a long time, they may be gulping in air in the process.
  • Mom’s diet. Food that you’ve eaten can make your baby gassy as well. Certain foods such as dairy, soy or wheat may contribute to gassiness in your little one. Keep a food journal of what you eat to see if you can pinpoint the culprit in your diet.

Foods That Make Breastfed Babies Gassy

Though a baby’s gas is not commonly linked to mom’s diet, there are certain gas-inducing foods that could give both a breastfeeding mom and her baby gas. These include:

  • Fiber. Foods like bran, beans, and whole grains.
  • Fruit. Citrus fruits, prunes, plums, peaches, or apricots.
  • Vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.
  • Garlic. Garlic-seasoned foods like pasta dishes or garlic bread.
  • Dairy. Yogurt, ice cream, or milk products.
  • Carbonated beverages. If they make you burp, they could make your baby gassy too.

It’s not necessary to give up all your favorite foods when pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Health experts recommend only making dietary changes if you see a direct connection between something you’ve eaten and your baby's gassiness.

Additionally, if you’re still breastfeeding after your little one begins solids or finger foods, it’s easier to detect what food might be the culprit and then eliminate it.

Relieving Gassy Babies

There are several effective ways to help relieve your baby’s gas pains and soothe them. Try a combination of these to find what works best for your little one.

  • Burp twice. Try to coax two burps out of your baby instead of just one.
  • Sit upright. Hold your baby in an upright position while burping. This makes it easier to expel gas.
  • Tummy time. Laying your baby on their tummy will help to push gas out.
  • Bicycle exercises. Put your baby on his or her back and move their legs in a pedaling motion, similar to cycling on a bike. This helps with constipation as well.
  • Massage the tummy. A gentle massage can help move gas out.
  • Adjust baby’s latch. Make sure your baby is latching correctly to avoid swallowing too much air.

Don't worry, mama - Gas is typically a normal occurrence and most babies experience gassiness from time to time! With some minor adjustments, you can soothe your little one and help them get through the discomfort of gas.

do's and don'ts, principles of nutrition

Contents:

  • Is gas formation a norm or a violation?
  • What can cause flatulence?
  • What foods can make the stomach "bloat"?
  • Why do I need a special diet for flatulence?
Flatulence, or bloating, is a condition in which:
  • Increased formation and accumulation of gases in the intestines 1
  • Impaired elimination of gases from the intestines 1

This condition is associated in most people with discomfort (the abdomen feels as if "inflated", visually enlarged) and pain in the lower abdomen, may be accompanied by shortness of breath and heart palpitations caused by an increase in intestinal volume and diaphragm elevation 2 .

Is gas formation a norm or a violation?

Gas formation and accumulation of gases in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) is a natural process. During the day, more than 20 liters of gas are formed in the digestive tract 1 , 70% of which enters the stomach and intestines when food or liquid is swallowed 2 .

Gas in the gastrointestinal tract can also be formed by diffusion from the blood and as a result of vital processes of bacteria 1 . However, normally, the digestive system can contain about 200 ml of gas 1 at a time.

Flatulence often occurs as an independent phenomenon (episodic it is observed in almost all people 1 ). However, it can also be a symptom of a functional bowel disorder, such as irritable bowel. According to some reports, flatulence accompanies the course of gastroenterological diseases in 85% of cases 1 .

What can cause flatulence?

Depending on the causes leading to excessive gas formation or problems with the removal of gases from the intestines, the following types of flatulence are distinguished 1 :

  1. Food associated with the use of foods that cause increased gas formation
  2. Digestive due to disorders in the work of digestive enzymes
  3. Mechanical occurs when there is a violation in the removal of gases from the intestinal tract
  4. Dynamic caused by malfunctions in the motor function of the gastrointestinal tract

Another common cause of bloating is the excessive intake of air into the stomach when swallowing food and swallowing saliva 2 . The volume of air swallowed increases with a hasty meal, talking while eating, chewing gum, carbonated drinks 1 . Excessive salivation caused by a state of mental tension and neurosis can also lead to this state.


What foods can make the stomach bloat?

Methods for alleviating the discomfort caused by bloating depend on the type of flatulence. However, in each case, treatment involves the rejection of products that cause flatulence, and adherence to a diet that is determined based on the cause of bloating.

Food flatulence is closely related to the diet. It is caused by the use of:

  • products that cause fermentation processes, such as black bread containing yeast 2
  • carbonated drinks such as: kvass, beer, koumiss 2

Foods that cause gas and bloating also include: legumes, corn and oat products, wheat baked goods, some vegetables and fruits (white cabbage, potatoes, cucumbers, apples, peaches, pears), dairy products (soft cheeses , milk, ice cream) 1 .

The basis of the treatment of food flatulence is the observance of a diet consisting in the exclusion of the above products from the diet. When reviewing the diet, it is recommended to increase the consumption of foods with a low gas-forming potential: bananas, white rice, protein-containing foods (beef, chicken, turkey, egg white) 2 .

With flatulence of digestive origin, foods should be excluded from the diet, the digestion of which is complicated by a deficiency of essential enzymes. So, for example, with a deficiency in the intestine of lactase, you should limit the use of dairy products 2 .

Studies have shown that with an irritated bowel, the composition and volume of intestinal gas does not change, but the passage of gas through the intestine slows down almost 2 times 1 .

The impact of diet on the manifestation and exacerbation of irritable bowel symptoms cannot be denied. This connection is clearly confirmed by the fact that with prolonged fasting, there is a weakening of the whole complex of symptoms of discomfort in the intestines, including flatulence 3 . In this case, bloating is usually mild in the morning. After eating, the feeling of discomfort increases 4 .

Although there is a clear relationship between the manifestations of flatulence and food intake, the identification of specific foods that cause bloating is not an easy task. After all, the diet of healthy people and those who suffer from chronic discomfort in the intestines is practically the same 5 .

The reaction to specific foods causes increased sensitivity of nerve endings in irritated bowels. Nutrients contained in food, entering the digestive tract, stimulate the nerve endings in the stomach and intestines 6 .

If the stimulus is weak and the intestine does not undergo significant deformation, the signal does not reach the brain.

A stronger stimulus associated with the feeling of distension of the intestine is transmitted from the nerve endings of the intestine to the brain and causes pain 6 .

With increased sensitivity of irritable bowel, even a weak stimulus can be felt as painful and affect the motor function of the intestine 6 .

Based on the mechanism of irritable bowel hypersensitivity to external stimuli, scientists have experimentally identified a number of nutrients that influence the manifestation of symptoms of intestinal dysfunction: fermentable oligo-, di- and monosaccharides and polyols FODMAPs 6 . Researchers have shown that an increased intake of these nutrients causes unpleasant symptoms not only in irritable bowels, but also in healthy people 6 . By identifying food sources of these nutrients, you can understand which foods cause gas and bloating.

Flatulent nutrients contain
6 :
  • fruits: apples, cherries, pears, peaches, apricots, plums
  • vegetables: asparagus, artichokes, beets, onions, garlic, peas, mushrooms, cauliflower
  • cereals: wheat, rye, barley
  • milk and dairy products: yogurt, ice cream, soft cheeses
Why do I need a special diet for flatulence?

Bloating can be due to a variety of reasons, from intolerance to specific foods to complex disorders in the digestive tract with irritable bowels 1 . Despite such a wide range of reasons, the list of products that provoke increased gas formation and, as a result, flatulence, is unchanged. Does this mean that in order to relieve the discomfort of irritable bowels, you need to eliminate these foods from your diet?

Indeed, many diets recommended for flatulence and functional bowel disorders imply a restriction or complete rejection of a certain food group. There are gluten-free, low-carb, and FODMAP nutrient-restricted diets. However, all of them not only suggest a lack of important nutrients 7 , but may not suit you personally. Therefore, it is important to listen to your body and reasonably limit the consumption of those foods that cause you discomfort in the intestines.

A change in diet will undoubtedly be beneficial, but if flatulence occurs constantly, this may indicate the presence of an upset in the intestines. In this case, complex therapy is needed so that the treatment helps to normalize the functioning of the intestines and really brings relief, and is not limited to eliminating abdominal pain and flatulence 4 .

Duspatalin® 135 mg will help alleviate the discomfort that accompanies flatulence, such as bloating, cramps and pain.

  • Duspatalin® 135 mg already after 15 minutes 9 begins to work, relieving pain and cramps in the abdomen.
  • Relief of spasm allows the intestines to "relax", relieving pain, as well as the passage and removal of gas and eliminating the very cause of flatulence and bloating 10
  • Clinical trials have shown that the use of Duspatalin® 135 mg in the treatment of irritable bowel significantly reduces the degree of manifestation of all associated symptoms: reduces pain and helps to eliminate the manifestations of flatulence 12 .
  • When taken in a course of 28 days, Duspatalin® 135 mg helps to normalize bowel function and eliminate a complex of irritable bowel symptoms: pain and spasm in the abdomen, stool disorders (constipation and / or diarrhea), flatulence (gas formation, bloating, rumbling) 10. 13 .
  • The drug has a high safety profile: unlike most other antispasmodics, it does not have a systemic effect 8,10 , and its effect can persist for 6 months when taken from 8 weeks 11 .

With Duspatalin® your bowels are calm.

Article reviewed by Abbott experts


Top 7 Foods That Cause Gas and Bloating

Bloating and gas formation are more often associated with nutrition. Knowing the products that cause flatulence helps to correct the situation. We have compiled a list of such foods and tips on how to use them correctly to reduce unwanted symptoms.

Gas in a healthy person occurs on average 5-15 times a day. But it happens that the number of such episodes increases, causing bloating, or gases acquire a sharp unpleasant odor. This causes discomfort to many people, especially if accompanied by painful sensations.

Excessive gas formation is more often associated with nutrition.

Foods high in dietary fiber are more likely to cause gas. Vegetables and legumes, for example, are an important food source for good gut bacteria.

In turn, the micro-organisms process the fibers into useful substances - vitamins and butyric acid. But at the same time, as a side effect, some bacteria emit gases.

Bacteria like Desulfovibrio and Desulfobulbus produce hydrogen sulfide from the amino acids found in food. For this reason, gases can smell like rotten eggs or cabbage.

Content:

  • 1. Legumes
  • 2. Cruciferous
  • 3. Milk and dairy products
  • 4. Gluten products
  • 5. Products with prebiotic inulin
  • 6. High protein foods
  • 7. Artificial sweeteners

Bloating and gas can also be caused by gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and lactose and gluten intolerance.

Legumes

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Beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas and other legumes contain dietary fiber that the human body cannot break down on its own. But the intestinal bacteria do an excellent job with this task and love these products very much, but, splitting the fibers, they release gases, which can cause bloating.

Bacteria produce more gases in some people than in others. If you add a lot of plant fibers to your diet, including legumes, it will cause bloating and gas. But with regular use of these products, the side effect becomes less pronounced. That is why when switching to veganism or vegetarianism, bloating and increased gas formation are often observed.

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are more susceptible to discomfort caused by bloating. Therefore, some nutritionists recommend a diet low in GOS fiber and fructans, including legumes.

Tip: If your diet is low on legumes, introduce them gradually. To get started, you can add some lentils or a few beans to a salad, or spread some hummus on a sandwich. So you can avoid increased gas formation.

Cruciferous

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Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower are common foods that are associated with bloating and gas. During cooking and chewing, these plants release glucosinolates, sulfur-containing organic compounds.

Research shows that many gut bacteria convert glucosinolates to sulfates and ferrous ions during the fermentation process. In the future, these substances can turn into hydrogen sulfide, due to which the gases acquire an unpleasant odor.

Adding a lot of fiber to the diet abruptly will cause bloating and gas.

On the one hand, glucosinolates feed the probiotic bacteria that naturally live in the human gut. These bacteria include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

On the other hand, intestines with too many sulfate-reducing bacteria like Desulfovibrio , can increase the production of hydrogen sulfide, which causes a particularly bad smell.

With the Atlas Microbiota Test , you can evaluate the abundance of Desulfovibrio bacteria in your gut, which is responsible for producing hydrogen sulfide.

Milk and dairy products

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Lactose intolerance causes milk and dairy products to produce foul-smelling gases. Lactose is a sugar found in milk, and the enzyme lactase is responsible for its breakdown.

When the body does not produce enough lactase, dairy products can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and severe flatulence within 30 minutes to two hours of consumption.

Flatulence - bloating of the abdomen due to the accumulation of gases.

Probiotic intestinal bacteria like Lactobacillus are able to process and absorb lactose. Their high content in the microbiota may reduce the symptoms of intolerance, especially in people whose diets are high in galactooligosaccharides (GOS).

GOS - dietary fiber found in legumes, some nuts like cashews, soy milk from whole soy beans.

Products containing gluten

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Wheat, barley, rye and their products contain gluten. This is a protein that causes increased gas production in people with celiac disease - gluten intolerance. If gluten enters the gastrointestinal tract of a person with celiac disease, it causes an autoimmune reaction, which is accompanied by bloating and pain in the abdomen, as well as diarrhea.

Gluten sensitivity without celiac disease is another gluten-related condition. Protein from grains causes increased gas production, but without damage to the intestines. Research shows that certain gut bacteria break down gluten into particles that cause an immune system response, which may be one reason for these side effects.

The only way to reduce your immune system's response to foods with gluten is to eliminate them from your diet.

Despite the popularity of gluten-free diets, you should be very careful with them. The symptoms of celiac disease are similar to those of other diseases and inflammations of the gastrointestinal tract, therefore, whole food groups can be excluded from the diet only at the direction of a doctor and under his supervision.

Abruptly cutting out grains can lead to nutritional deficiencies and imbalances in the microbiota. And this can even exacerbate the problem of increased gas formation. Always check with your doctor or dietitian before making major changes to your diet.

The Atlas genetic test will help you find out if you have a genetic predisposition to lactose and gluten intolerance.

High protein diets

Photo by Viktor Talashuk / Unsplash

High-protein diets are dominated by beef, eggs, pork, fish and poultry. These products contain a lot of sulfur which, as a result of fermentation by bacteria, turns into hydrogen sulfide, causing severe bloating and foul-smelling gases.

Protein Supplements - Protein powders and bars may contain ingredients that cause excessive bloating and gas. These are low calorie sweeteners : sorbitol, mannitol, lactitol, xylitol and food additives that cause flatulence.

Inulin is also often used as a source of fiber in protein bars, during the fermentation of which bacteria release a lot of gases.

Many protein shakes are made with whey from milk - this can cause bloating and gas in people with lactose intolerance .

Products containing the prebiotic inulin

Photo by Burhan Rexhepi / Unsplash

Inulin is a plant fiber and one of the good gut bacteria's favorite treats. Increases the number of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria.

The bacteria then convert inulin into butyrate, a fatty acid responsible for the health of the intestinal mucosa. Inulin improves the absorption of magnesium and calcium, micronutrients that support bone health, nerve and muscle function. Studies show that it also lowers blood sugar levels and helps control appetite.

Photo by Siora Photography / Unsplash

However, during the fermentation of inulin, microorganisms also release gases , which can cause bloating and cramps, especially if you have eaten too much of this fiber.

Sudden addition of high amounts of fiber, including inulin, to the diet is likely to cause bloating and gas. Therefore, any dietary fiber should be introduced into the diet gradually, and over time, side effects in the form of bloating and gas will decrease.

According to scientific studies, the daily intake of inulin for healthy people is 10 grams .

Products containing inulin:

Product (100 gr) Inulin content (g)
Chicory root 35.7–47.6
Garlic (dried) 20.3–36.1
Jerusalem artichoke 16.0–20.0
Garlic (raw) 9.0–16.0
Asparagus 2.0-3.0
Bow 1.1-7.5
Bananas 0.3–0.7

Remember to take fiber with plenty of water to avoid constipation. Substitute sugar Which products are found in Sorbitol chewing gums, some sweets, desserts, ice cream, diabetic products Lactitol baked goods, chocolate, confectionery, desserts, chewing gum Mannitol confections, jams and jellies, puddings and powdered drink mixes, chewing gum Xylitol chewable multivitamins, lozenges, sugar-free gum and certain pharmaceutical preparations (cough syrups)

Polyols are sugar alcohols that are not absorbed by the human body. Instead, they are fermented by bacteria in the large intestine, releasing gases in the process.

If you get bloated or gas from time to time, it's nothing to worry about and it's most likely related to what you've eaten.

However, you should consult a doctor if you experience the following symptoms:

  • frequent gas with a strong odor;
  • persistent bloating and pain in the abdomen;
  • recurring episodes of diarrhea or constipation;
  • fecal incontinence;
  • blood in stool;
  • high fever, nausea, chills, muscle and joint pain.

The low potential for fiber breakdown may be one of the causes of increased bloating and gas when eating fiber-rich foods.

The Atlas Microbiota Test will help assess the level of bacterial diversity in the gut and the ability of microorganisms to break down dietary fiber.

Our articles are written with love for evidence-based medicine, but are for informational purposes only. Each case is individual, so you should not replace the article with a face-to-face consultation with a doctor, as well as prescribed diagnostic procedures or treatment.