Breastfeeders: gas-causing foods, if you're interested

TiffanyTheMom · February 2011

I found this list somewhere, the AAP website probably, of foods that can cause gas in your baby if you're a breastfeeder. I've found that ALL these foods definitely do it for my LO, so I've had to omit all these from my diet. I ate a Ham and Avodaco sandwich on white bread today, mashed the avocado up and it made a great substitute for mayo (which is made of eggs, a gas-causing food).

Beans

Broccoli

Brussel Sprouts

Cabbage

Caffeine

Cauliflower

Citrus Fruit (to include OJ)

Corn and corn products, like corn bread and corn cereals

Dairys- milks, cheeses, ice creams and sour cream and cream cheese... etc

Eggs (including mayo)

Peppers, like spicy or bell peppers

Iron supplements

Some medicines

Onions

Peanuts, and peanut butter (found that out the hard way, )

Shellfish

Soy/tofu, so that means no soymilk to substitute real milk- use rice milk

spicy foods

tomato (because of the acid) and tomato causes

And finally, wheat.

Not everyone has a sensitive tummy to nurse, but all 3 of my children had/have sensitive stomachs so this is what I have to abide by. By the time my kids were old enough to sit up unassisted, I reintroduced these into my diet with no problems to them because they were more active and able to pass the gas through their systems much more efficiently and painlessly. I have a friend who could eat whatever she wanted to with her babies, and they NEVER had any ill effects! (I was seriously jealous) My older two have no food allergies, so my dietary modification wasn't a hindrance to them at all.

JCragg · February 2011

Awesome. I'm screwed.

danayandcory · February 2011

Thanks for posting! We are realizing DD has a sensitive stomach. I've eliminated dairy but wasn't sure what else to take out. Hopefully this will help!

JessiRaye · February 2011

I have eaten an insane amount of chocolate since i had Liam. (I've gone thru 3 large bags of m&m's...no joke.) Anyway, the caffeine definitely hurt his belly! No more chocolate for this mama! (Or at least I'll eat it very conservatively from now on.)

sarag0116 · February 2011

well hell, what am i going to eat?

MiniMadness · February 2011

WOW. That's a heck of a list! I THINK what may have bothered my LO last night was chocolate....I ate about 7 pieces. Embarrassed

dee1369 · February 2011

So many of those things were included in my hospital meals. First night home so I have a little more control over my diet now... hopefully DD won't be too sensitive. I'm already concerned about dairy, since it makes up a substantial part of my diet.

TiffanyTheMom · February 2011

Sara and Dee, it's not really that hard to modify your diet! I eat a ton of pastas with either cheese, alfredo, or tomato sauces so I definitely know what you mean, but once you find a plan that works it's easy peasy and you only drool a little bit when you see your SO eating broccoli and cheese.

For example, I eat a lot of Fiber One cereals with rice milk for breakfast or pop tarts/toaster strudels. White bread is fine for toast, just smear on a tiny bit of butter and jam and you're good. For lunch, white bread sammy with an avocado spread, s&p and your choice of meats. You can eat any veggie that's not green or acidic. I like carrots lately. Celery is fine too. A tortilla wrap is good too. If you're brave, you can try lactose-free cheese and see how your LO's tummy handles it.

Potatoes and peas are good for dinner, as is all meats and fish. (LOVE salmon and potatoes!) Gravies are good, and a small glass of wine, and blueberry pie is also an excellent food group.

Mrs.HMommy · February 2011

Thanks Tiffany!!! This is my first time around exclusively BFing so all the info I can get my hands on is super helpful.

Pennilyn Novus · February 2011

JCragg:
Awesome. I'm screwed.

yup, me too.

momranda · February 2011

Thanks for posting this! Ive been getting iron infusions because of severe anemia and little guy has not been happy the past few days, very gassy and isn't pooping, just grunting a lot. This explains a lot! Whats annoying is the fact that my hematologist said the infusions would have no effect on my baby with the breastfeeding!

RumbleLina · February 2011

Wow, just about everything I eat is on that list. I have no noticed any troubles with DS though.

I also didn't know iron supplements caused gas as well. My OB never mentioned that to me but I had to be put on a iron supplement for well over a month due to being anemic.

Anyone know if the irritation that takes place is something that happens a couple hours afterward or is it something that builds up or time?