What's Causing Gas in My Breastfed Baby?
Wellness
min. read
What's causing gas in my breastfed baby?
We’ve all heard the sayings, “breast milk is the best milk,” “it’s the ultimate baby food,” and “breast milk is liquid gold.” Experts agree; breast milk is the gold standard for newborn and infant nutrition. It provides your baby with the calories, fats and nutrients needed for growth and also secures important immunities to protect from illness. No other newborn or infant feeding substitute can measure up to breast milk.
If breast milk is the “foundation of life” and so great for my baby, why does the child get so fussy and gassy? Is the gassy newborn allergic to my milk? Could the gassy newborn be allergic to my milk? What does it mean if my baby gets gassy later while breastfeeding? What am I doing wrong and how do I help gassy newborns or babies?
For new mothers, it can be distressing to see their newborn or baby uncomfortable, especially when they are unsure of the cause. These are common questions and fears amongst breastfeeding mothers. Gas often leads to fussiness, crying, and disrupted sleep, which can make moms feel anxious, wondering if something is wrong with their breast milk or their baby's health. Mothers can also worry about gassy babies or newborns and may struggle with how to relieve the gas. Some might even give up on breastfeeding out of fear that their milk is the cause of their baby’s tummy problems. A gassy baby or newborn could cause all kinds of stress and questions in hopes of keeping their baby well-nourished.
Why is my baby so gassy?
Let’s consider some reasoning behind your baby’s fussiness and gas. It's common for babies, especially newborns, to experience gas when breastfeeding. Gas is a normal part of the gastrointestinal (GI) system, and we all have gases in us from time to time. For breastfed babies, gas might be caused by eating too fast, swallowing too much air or digesting certain foods. Babies have immature GI systems and can frequently experience gas because of this. Additionally, the newborn's digestive system is still maturing, making it harder for them to process the milk efficiently, which can lead to gas buildup. Pains from gas can make your baby fussy, but intestinal gas is not harmful. Gassy babies may also result if they have an improper latch or if the mother has a fast letdown, causing the baby to gulp quickly. Another factor that could cause gas to babies and newborns is related to the mother’s diet—certain foods that a breastfeeding mother eats, like dairy, caffeine, or cruciferous vegetables, can potentially cause gas in some babies.
Common causes of gas in breastfed babies
There are a variety of reasons why your newborn or baby may have excessive gas:
- Eating too fast or being overfed
- Swallowing too much air
- Issues digesting certain foods or food or dairy allergies
- Immature digestive system
- Improper breast feeding latch – ingesting air during breastfeeding
- Mother’s diet and its impact while breastfeeding
- Prolonged crying can also lead to swallowing air
How to help gassy babies and newborn gas relief
Learn about how to get rid of gassy babies or newborn gas:
- Make sure your baby has a good latch so he doesn’t swallow too much air and become gassy
- Burp babies and newborns throughout the feedings to help get rid of the gas.
- Try not to let your baby overfeed or feed too quickly
- Keep track of when your baby is gassy and look back at your diet. Try to learn which foods work and don’t work for you and your baby, and remember, each baby is uniquely different
- There are a few activities you can do with your baby to help relieve gas, such as tummy time, gently bicycling their legs, or massage their tummy in a clockwise motion
When to be concerned about gas in newborns and babies
While gas is common in newborns and typically not a major issue, there are some situations where it could indicate a more serious underlying problem. In most cases, gassy babies will show signs of discomfort but can be soothed with simple remedies. However, there are certain symptoms that warrant a closer look and may require medical attention.
- Excessive crying or fussiness
- Difficult feeding or refusing to eat
- Blood in stool
- Vomiting or severe spit-up
- Failure to gain weight
- Clear signs of a food or dairy allergy
If you have further concerns regarding your breast feeding, newborn or baby gas, especially increased fussiness, be sure to discuss these with your baby’s pediatrician and/or a lactation consultant. If gas is not improving, despite trying these gassy baby and gassy newborn remedies, consult your doctor.
Signs of allergy in breastfed baby and gassy newborns
If your baby has a true allergy to milk proteins, you might notice symptoms including dry/irritated skin, rashes, colic, persistent gas, fussiness and green stool with mucus or blood.
If your breastfed baby is diagnosed with a true milk protein allergy, your healthcare provider might recommend a restricted diet while breastfeeding.
- If you notice blood or mucous in your baby’s stool, notify your pediatrician. This can be a sign of a food allergy. Skin rashes are usually present as well.
What foods cause gas in breastfed babies?
Many mothers become concerned about how their diet contributes to their baby’s gas and fussiness. There is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother’s diet cause intestinal issues in their babies. Some babies might react to particular foods in mom’s diet, but this doesn’t mean there’s a special list of foods out there for moms to avoid while breastfeeding or that specific foods cause gassy babies and newborns. Each newborn and baby is unique and Mothers need to be mindful of symptoms and how they shift as babies grow and with what they are fed. Cow's milk protein and soy allergies are the most common allergens for infants. However, there are no specific foods that have been proven to cause gas in infants. Spicy foods have not been shown to cause discomfort in breast-fed babies.
Most babies tolerate the food consumed by their mothers, but it’s important to keep a close eye on patterns. If you notice that each time you eat something your baby becomes gassy or fussy, try avoiding the food for a while and see what happens. Many mothers have reported foods such as kale, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, peppers or spicy foods cause infant gas, while many babies tolerate these foods just fine. In newborns, consider how a baby reacts with breastmilk and infant formula and if you notice symptoms, explore dairy allergies or the other remedies to relieve gas highlighted above. If your pediatrician suspects a food allergy or sensitivity, they can talk to you able eliminating common allergens from your diet.
Breast milk and dairy allergies
While most foods won’t cause GI issues in breastfed babies, we do know that any foods containing cow milk protein are the most commonly reported food substance to cause gas and fussiness in newborns and infants. Some babies might experience a temporary intolerance to dairy from mom’s diet, but most will begin to tolerate cow milk proteins once they get older and move out of infancy. If you experience gassy newborns, consider testing dairy alternatives to see if it resolves the issue. If your baby becomes more gassy as they grow, begin to test milk varieties or consider a test to determine food sensitives or dairy allergies to help the gas.
If you suspect your baby or child may have food allergies, consider exploring the Texas Children’s Food Allergy Program and to help with gassy babies and allergies.
To learn more about Texas Children’s Lactation Support Services, Milk Bank (Lab) Services or breastfeeding services offered at Texas Children’s Pavilion for Women, please follow the respective links.
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