Foods to avoid for colic babies
What Foods Help With Baby Colic? | Colic Blog – Babocush Limited
When your baby seems perfectly healthy, has no obvious signs of distress and yet cries continually, they may be suffering from colic. Colic is prolonged bouts of excessive, frequent crying for no apparent reason, although some abdominal discomfort is thought to accompany it due to the way many babies draw their knees up when they cry which would indicate trapped wind. These episodes can be very distressing for both baby and parent, and can last for several weeks.
When are the typical signs of colic?
Normal crying typically starts when your little one is about 2 weeks old. When babies develop colic, it's usually between 2 and 4 weeks of age. About 1 in 5 babies end up suffering with colic. Other symptoms typically include:
- Crying inconsolably for long periods of time.
- Some babies with colic experience bloated tummies, however not always.
- Babies with colic often pull their knees up to their chest and go red in the face
- Although there may be other causes, babies with colic often have a distinctive, high-pitched cry.
Diet-related colic
One thing you might not have thought about is the foods you're putting into your body. Breastfeeding mothers can normally eat whatever they want, however some newborns are intolerant to certain foods. The essential criteria for a good post-natal diet is to eat foods that are soothing, comforting, and nutritious. Slow-cooked foods, such as soups and stews, are recommended, as is avoiding too much raw food and limiting meals consumed straight from the refrigerator or freezer. Anything too harsh that passes through the mother's milk could harm a baby's developing gut. Colic-causing foods can enter your breast milk and upset your baby as early as two hours after you eat, with potential irritants being:
Dairy products
Milk, cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream are examples of dairy products. Cow's milk is known to be a main source of diet-related colic. Cow's milk proteins quickly enter breast milk, which is usually a positive thing because it familiarises your baby with these proteins early on, setting them up for when they’re weaned.
Colic can, however, be caused by a sensitivity to cow's milk.
If you feel this is the case, try avoiding dairy products for 7-10 days to see if you notice a difference. If your baby's behaviour hasn't improved, gradually reintroduce the food again. If you see a difference and are concerned about your calcium intake, consult a nutritionist about different ways to get calcium, such as through leafy greens, broccoli, edamame, sardines, figs, oranges and calcium-fortified products.
Caffeine
Soft drinks, chocolate, coffee, tea, energy drinks, and some medicines all contain caffeine, and if you consume enough of it, your baby may develop colic. Many mums find that giving up caffeine can produce instant positive changes to their baby’s behaviour.
Spicy foods
Theres a distinct taste in your breast milk after you’ve eaten a spicy dinner. This is because traces of spice have found their way into your milk supply. This is fine for most babies and helps them get used to new tastes, but for others, even the tiniest amount of spice can be enough to make them uncomfortable.
If you've ever had heartburn after eating spicy food, this is considerably more likely to be the case.
Grains and nuts
Fats from cereals, nuts, seeds, avocados, and olives are essential for keeping your baby's skin healthy, although they can occasionally induce colic. Wheat, corn, peanuts, and soy are the most typical culprits.
Gassy foods
You've probably experienced the unpleasant side-effects of a meal high in gassy vegetables like broccoli, onions, brussel sprouts, cauliflower, and cabbage. Gas can cause a lot of discomfort in the stomach, and if your baby is particularly sensitive to it, eliminating gassy foods could be the answer.
Tracking down colic-causing foods
Determining whether the food you eat could be causing your baby’s colic is achieved with a simple three-step process:
Step 1. Keep a record
You can develop associations between food and discomfort by keeping track of what you eat and when and how long your baby experiences colic episodes.
Keep track of any changes in your baby's behaviour, such as fussiness, weeping, bloating, constipation, or diarrhoea, nocturnal wakings that aren't explained, or reddening around the anus.
Step 2. Eliminate foods
You can now rule out the suspect source after establishing a correlation between food and behaviour. Try to avoid this food for 10 to 14 days then check to see whether your baby's colic symptoms are lessening or disappearing. Return to step one if nothing has changed. Continue to step three if the symptoms improve.
Step 3. Challenge the result
If your baby's symptoms have gone away, cautiously reintroduce the source to test it. If the symptoms return within 24 hours, remove this meal from your diet temporarily. Continue to challenge the food supply at regular intervals until you've determined it's safe to eat again. Most babies are only temporarily intolerant of certain foods, so declaring a meal off-limits may unnecessarily deprive you and your baby of a vital source of nutrition.
Maintaining an anti-colic diet
To help reduce any chance of colic, there are a number of foods that you can limit or avoid during the six weeks leading up to birth and the 2-3 months that follow. These include berries, grapes, stone fruit, strawberries, mangoes, cabbage, tomatoes, lentils, garlic, pineapple, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cucumber, radish, cauliflower, raw onion, strong herbs and spices, powdered yeast and stimulants (tea, coffee, chocolate and alcohol).
There are also some foods that will encourage a healthy gut and can help prevent symptoms of colic. These include apples, pears, asparagus, carrot, celery, kale, corn, bananas, papaya, celery, beetroot, pumpkin, zucchini, mushrooms, teas (chamomile, dandelion, fennel and cardamom), bone broths and apple cider vinegar.
There is no recognised “cure” for colic, although you may see some reduction in symptoms if you use a trial-and-error strategy. You may find that one thing works or that it is the consequence of a combination of circumstances, but be prepared to wait it out.
Your baby will grow out of it eventually, and having a baby with colic has nothing to do with your parenting. Colic can affect any infant at any moment, and although it's natural to feel frustrated and upset, you should never feel responsible for your child's suffering.
Related Blogs:
- Do Breastfed Babies Get Colic?
- How Can I Tell My Baby Has Colic?
Foods to Avoid to Prevent Colic – Lola&Lykke
An expecting or new mother fears a lot of possible future scenarios, but one of the more common and everyday issues that she is, unfortunately, more likely to face is also one of the most mysterious, baffling, and frustrating: colic, which one in five infants are said to have. In this article, we’ll go over the definition of colic as well as the link it has to diet - namely, the mother’s. We’ll offer tips for how you can modify your diet, including foods to avoid during breastfeeding, to prevent colic.
What is Colic?
Colic is one of the more challenging problems a new parent can face.
It’s when your new baby cries in a prolonged, intense, and frequent way despite being otherwise healthy. Colicky babies most often have their episodes in the evening, making it even tougher on already-tired parents who desperately want peace and quiet. Naturally, it’s heartbreaking to watch your baby suffer and not know why, and colic is all the more frustrating because it doesn’t seem to have any particular cause and no amount of soothing seems to help.
Does Your Baby Have Colic?
Defined as an infant crying intensely for three or more hours a day, three or more days a week, for three or more weeks, colic usually peaks when an infant is about six weeks old and declines after they reach three or four months of age. It can happen to any baby: breastfed or formula-fed, male or female, premature or full-term.
Symptoms of colic include:
- Intense, often high-pitched crying that resembles screaming or an expression of pain
- Crying that doesn’t seem to be tied to any particular reason such as needing to be fed or get a diaper change
- Intense fussiness that continues even after the crying stops or declines
- Predictable timing of crying episodes that occur especially in the late afternoon or early evening
- Facial discoloration such as a reddened face or pale mouth
- Body tension in the legs, arms, fists, back, or abdomen
- Colic episodes followed by a bowel movement or passing of gas that may bring temporary relief
- The baby closing their eyes tight or opening them wide, furrowing their brow, or even holding their breath
- Crying that disrupts eating and sleeping patterns
It’s important to note that colic is a condition that occurs in otherwise healthy babies.
If your baby is intensely crying on a regular basis, it’s important to rule out the possibility of a non-colic cause that is leading to pain or discomfort in your baby, such as illness. If your infant experiences excessive crying, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor to see if an underlying cause can be found instead of assuming that it must be colic. Together, you will be able to determine if your baby does indeed have colic.
Can Your Diet Really Upset Your Breastfed Baby?
While the causes of colic are unknown, there is much speculation about what may lead to this condition. Theories for potential reasons include an imbalance of healthy gut bacteria, childhood migraine, overstimulated senses, acid reflux, an undeveloped digestive system, food allergy, and tobacco exposure.
Another popular theory is that colic may be tied to the diet of the breastfed baby’s mother. According to WebMD, “A study published in the [November 2005] issue of Pediatrics suggests that excluding highly allergenic foods from a nursing mother's diet could reduce crying and fussiness in her newborn's first six weeks of life.
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There are several reasons to believe this may be the case. First, it’s known that the diet of a breastfeeding mother does affect the infant. If the mother consumes something that upsets the stomach of the newborn, this can lead to discomfort and crying. There also seems to be a link between colic and gastrointestinal distress; colicky infants are often gassy and passing gas is often followed by relief.
There are, in fact, several studies that have shown that a change in the mother’s diet can lead to a significant diminishment of colic symptoms, namely in how long the babies cried each day. Other studies have found a link between the consumption of certain foods by the breastfeeding mother and colic in breastfed infants. Ultimately, research suggests that an elimination diet may help ease symptoms of colic.
Learn more: What to eat while breastfeeding
Foods to Avoid
Common Allergens
One category of colic foods to avoid while nursing is those that many people have an allergy to, such as:
- Cow’s milk
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Peanuts, tree nuts
- Soy
- Fish
With cow’s milk being the most common infant allergy.
In one 2005 study, 74% of breastfed babies whose mothers ate a low-allergen diet eliminating all of the above ingredients showed significant improvement in colic.
Cruciferous Foods
Another type of colic baby breastfeeding food to avoid is the category of foods that often creates a lot of intestinal gas, namely cruciferous vegetables. This includes cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. One 1996 study found that mothers who ate diets high in cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli were more likely to have colicky babies. As these foods are high in fructans, which are difficult to digest, they can cause gas and bloating.
Unhealthy Foods
It is often assumed that foods that are unhealthy for adults will also be unhealthy if they make it into a breastfed baby’s diet, which is why many sources recommend that breastfeeding mothers looking to reduce colic should avoid unhealthy foods such as highly-processed foods and foods high in saturated or trans fats.
While it is debatable whether chocolate is healthy for you or not, with dark chocolate in particular often being cited as a healthy food, the same 1996 study that linked certain cruciferous vegetables with colic also found that mothers who ate a lot of chocolate were more likely to have colicky babies. However, it isn’t specified which type of chocolate, and it very well may be that milk chocolate may have this effect due to containing cow’s milk. It’s also thought that the problem may be the acidity of chocolate, which can cause acid reflux.
Breastfeeding Diet for a Colic-Free Baby
While various sources may name a list of foods to eat while breastfeeding to avoid colic, there isn’t any scientific evidence pointing to the possibility that including certain particular foods in your diet can help colic. That being said, it is reasonable to conclude that a generally healthy lifestyle and diet with a variety of nutritious foods is what will be best for the mother and, in turn, the baby.
As such, a healthy diet for breastfeeding mothers to avoid colic may include:
- Plenty of water to stay hydrated
- Fruits and non-cruciferous vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Mushrooms
- Tea
- Apple cider vinegar
It’s particularly worth noting that there have been studies that have shown that probiotics can help colic by helping infants form a protective barrier against harmful bacteria and stimulating the immune system. One 2007 study found that “colic improved in a dramatic 95% of babies given Lactobacillus reuteri once per day for 1 month.” While it is not wise to begin a course of probiotics on your own, it may be something worth speaking to your doctor about.
If you want to go the more natural route, foods high in probiotics include:
- Yogurt
- Kefir
- Kombucha
- Sauerkraut
- Pickles
- Miso
- Tempeh
- Kimchi
- Sourdough bread
- Some cheeses
However, because many of these contain common allergens like dairy, wheat, and soy, kombucha has alcohol in it, and sauerkraut and kimchi are based on the cruciferous vegetable cabbage, you may not want to take the risk of eating them.
For that reason, a doctor-approved probiotic dietary supplement might be the best route for mums who are considering probiotics as a solution to colic.
If you do decide to change your diet in response to colic, especially if you want to start probiotics or try an elimination diet, it’s important to consult a medical professional such as a dietitian, who can monitor you and your baby’s nutrition and health and make personalised recommendations.
At the end of the day, the unfortunate truth is that there is no “cure” for colic. However, you can be reassured by the fact that - diet change or no diet change - colic doesn’t last forever; there is an end in sight. Colic is not your fault and while you can do your best to treat it, you should never feel guilty that it is happening. Do your best, take care of yourself and your baby to the best of your ability, and - sooner or later - the colic will pass.
by Lola&Lykke Team
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What to do if the child has colic
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What to do if the child has colic
Intestinal colic in newborns is a rather serious problem for all new parents. Seeing the incredible suffering of their baby, moms and dads strive to do everything possible to alleviate his condition.
Colic is the result of a buildup of gas in a baby's fragile stomach.
This is an absolutely natural process that occurs in most newborns due to the immaturity of the digestive tract. They begin approximately in the first 2-3 weeks of a child's life and stop at three to four months, when his body finishes its initial acquaintance with more adult food and adapts a little to a new environment.
Causes of colic
Proper nutrition
Reviews the most common causes of colic.
- Unbalanced mother's diet if the child receives breast milk as the main food source. There are a number of products that increase the process of gas formation in the baby's stomach. These include all legumes, cabbage, carbonated drinks, grapes, brown bread, etc. It is advisable to take a more responsible approach to your diet in the first months of your baby's life. A young mother should observe what causes colic in her child's diet and temporarily eliminate these foods.
Formulas It often happens that colic is caused by palm oil, which is part of some mixtures. Try to try several formulas and choose the one that harms your baby the least. Massage and gymnastics To avoid colic, it is necessary to perform simple procedures. Here are some very simple exercises. After feeding, be sure to hold the baby to you with a "column", giving him an upright position. So he can burp out the extra air. A warm bath can also help prevent bloating in your baby. A heated diaper that needs to be put on the baby's tummy helps a lot. Communication with the baby It is desirable to contact the child as much as possible so that he feels the care and gentle touch of the mother and calms down. Carry your child in your arms as much as possible, sing children's songs to him, whisper sweet words - this way the child will feel loved and protected. Dill water for colic What should I do if my child has colic? If the remedies described above did not help, you will have to give the baby herbal teas to drink, for example, from fennel or dill. If you do not want to use folk remedies, you can buy anti-colic drugs at the pharmacy. Colic preparations Works thanks to the substance simethicone included in its composition. Well eliminates flatulence in a child. Assign Espumizan 25 drops several times a day. It can be diluted with water to make it easier for the child to take. However, it doesn't help everyone. You need to try it, maybe it will suit your baby. Helping a child with abdominal colic is quite simple. The main thing is to choose exactly your recipe that will suit your child. Remember that most often this is just a natural process of the development of the baby. Try to create a favorable atmosphere of love and understanding at home, and then the child's nervous shocks will become less and, perhaps, colic will also remain in the past. vk.com/club95576616 ok.ru/detskayabo t.me/db_armavir Read more... Read more... Read more... Read more.. Read more... Often parents do not know how to help their baby with sudden attacks of colic, which periodically occur during or after feeding. How to alleviate the condition of the crumbs tells the EMC pediatrician, candidate of medical sciences, Maria Shilko. What is colic in babies? Colic is an intestinal spasm, usually caused by a violation of its motor function and increased gas formation. To characterize this condition in babies, pediatricians use the "rule of three": colic lasts a total of about 3 hours a day, occurs at the 3rd week of life and lasts about 3 months. Parents should understand that colic in infants is not a disease, this condition is temporary, passing by the age of four months. The exact cause of infantile colic has not yet been established. Experts associate the phenomena of digestive discomfort in newborns with immaturity and reduced activity of enzymes that help digest and assimilate food. How do you know if your baby has colic? The baby cries and screams a lot, moves his legs restlessly, pulls them up to his stomach, during an attack the baby's face turns red, the stomach may be swollen due to increased gas formation. Crying occurs most often in the evening, but can be observed at any time of the day. Between seizures, the child is calm. How to help the baby? If the mother is breastfeeding: Limit milk and dairy products in your diet. It is enough not to use them for 8-10 days for the mother to notice an improvement in the child's condition. Try to avoid foods that cause flatulence and increase fermentation in the intestines: beans, peas, cabbage, radish, grapes. Do not abuse drinks containing caffeine (tea, coffee, coca-cola). Make sure you are putting your baby on the breast correctly. Make sure that the baby captures the entire areola of the nipple and does not swallow air. Let the baby empty one breast completely. If a mother changes breasts too often during feeding, then the baby receives a lot of "forward" milk, which is low in fat and rich in milk sugar - lactose. Relatively low-fat milk quickly leaves the baby's stomach and a large amount of lactose, entering the intestines, causes increased gas formation, bloating and abdominal pain. If the child is bottle-fed: Consult your pediatrician. He can choose a mixture that is easier to digest and does not cause discomfort after feeding. Use special bottles and anti-colic nipples that allow you to adjust the flow rate of milk formula, the baby will not "choke" and swallow air. Try to feed your baby in a calm environment. When diluting milk mixtures, follow the dosage exactly. Be sure to hold your baby upright after feeding to let the "excess air" out.
It is necessary to ensure that the baby captures not only the nipple itself, but also most of the areola. It is necessary to try at first to give the breast to the child, as soon as he asked for it, in order to prevent him from crying. After all, starting to cry, he can swallow excess air. In addition, a hungry baby will begin to suck very greedily and quickly, which will also lead to excessive gas formation. Prevention of colic
Please note! Gymnastics helps a lot.
Please note! It has been noticed that restless children and toddlers in families with a tense emotional background are most often affected by colic.
Treatment of colic
You can make them yourself, or you can buy a ready-made collection. However, not all kids will agree to drink such water. 
The medicine is packaged in sachets. The sachet must be dissolved in water, previously purified or boiled.
. Intestinal colic in newborns and infants
