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Which Foods Make Breastfed Babies Gassy?
Many people think that certain “gassy” foods a nursing mom eats will cause her baby to have gas. But, according to Kelly Bonyata, an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, this widespread notion is not founded in actual research. There is no definitive list of what breastfeeding moms should eat, because each baby has different food reactions. Breast milk is made from the substances that pass through a mother’s bloodstream, not her gastrointestinal tract or stomach. Foods that are gassy for a mom have no real effects on her baby. Even though this is true, whatever a mom eats still can affect her baby. Some babies have food sensitivities that can result in gas, rashes, colic and excessive spit-up. Moms can go on an elimination diet to determine which foods bother her baby by forgoing one “fuss food” at a time. Some babies have gas no matter what their moms do, and there is no need to worry as long as they aren’t in pain or showing other signs of food sensitivities. Babies have immature digestive systems that will improve with time.
Signs of Allergies to Infant Formula
If you introduce infant formula to your baby, you’ll probably want to be on the alert for signs of an allergy, especially if allergies run in your–or the baby’s father’s–family. Most infant formula includes cow’s milk or soy products in the ingredients. In cases of infant formula allergies, cow’s milk protein is the most common allergen. Still, allergies to formula are not all that common; according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, less than 3% of babies in the United States have an allergy to milk protein. Since half of the babies who are sensitive to cow’s milk protein also turn out to react badly to soy, soy-based formula is not necessarily the solution if your baby does turn out to have a dairy allergy. Check with your baby’s physician before switching to a hypoallegenic formula. It may reassure you to know that there’s good chance your baby will outgrow an allergy to infant formula within a few years.
How to Burp a Baby Fast
One of the more satisfying aspects of feeding your baby is when you hear a loud burp, letting you know that your baby got rid of that nasty, extra air. If your baby doesn’t get rid of the extra air she takes in from eating, she could spit up or become cranky. With practice, you can learn how to get your baby to burp quickly during and after each feeding session. Varying your burping routine can help your baby burp faster.
Infant Formula Allergies
The best way to avoid infant formula allergies is to breastfeed your baby. The American Academy of Pediatrics, the World Health Organization, the American Medical Association and the American Dietetic Association all agree that breast milk is the best food for your baby. If you cannot or choose not to breastfeed, however, formula is better to use than cow’s milk because it contains the nutrients that most infants need. A baby is more likely to be allergic to formula than to breast milk. Know what to look for and what to do if your baby is allergic.
A Healthy Diet While Breastfeeding
If you’re a nursing mom, eating a healthy diet is good for both you and your baby. Breastfeeding moms must eat enough food so that they can maintain their milk supply. When you eat a healthy, balanced diet, you ensure that both you and your baby get the nutrition needed.