Breastfeeding diet for fussy baby: A breastfeeding mother’s diet for an infant with colic

A breastfeeding mother’s diet for an infant with colic

Dawn Earnesty, Michigan State University Extension, Alicia Grigg, intern -
February 28, 2013

A breastfeeding mother’s diet should include plenty of water and an adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy sources.

Does it seem like your colicky infant is incapable of being soothed? Colic is defined as a thriving, healthy infant who has regular episodes of intense crying. The crying can last for several hours at a stretch, often in the evening. Colic will eventually run its course and most babies grow out of it by six to 12 weeks of age. Some people find eating a healthy diet while breastfeeding is beneficial to managing colic.

Colic seems to affect infants between the ages of about three to six weeks, but could last up to at least a year. There are many possible explanations as to why an infant may become colicky, but there is no known cause. Eating a healthy diet while breastfeeding is important for all mothers.

Michigan State University Extension suggests these healthy eating tips for breastfeeding women:

• Eating at least three meals a day with additional small snacks. Try to avoid skipping meals.
• Limit foods and drinks with caffeine. Examples include chocolate, coffee, tea and soft drinks.
• Drink plenty of water each day. If you are thirsty you are not drinking enough. Additional information on the about of fluids needed can be found online at Kids eat right.
• If using artificial sweeteners, check with a registered dietitian on how much can safely be consumed each day.
• Try to lose your baby weight slowly and avoid calorie restrictions.
• Some babies also may become fussy with the consumption of gas-producing foods (broccoli, cabbage, beans, etc.). If you notice this you may want to substitute other vegetables and lean proteins into your diet.
• Some foods may cause an allergy in an infant also, although this area needs additional research. The most common allergy-causing foods are cow’s milk, eggs, wheat and peanuts. If you notice an allergy you may want to reduce or eliminate these foods for a period of time.

The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh even the occasional fussiness. It is most important to consume a diet with plenty of water and an adequate consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy sources.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension. msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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Elimination Diets in Lactation — Conditions We Treat — Breastfeeding & Lactation Medicine — Golisano Children’s Hospital — Rochester, NY

Golisano Children’s Hospital / / / Elimination Diets in Lactation

 

Babies with Possible Reactions to Foods in Breast Milk

Most infant fussiness is normal for a young baby, and is not related to foods in mom’s diet. If your baby is sensitive to something you are eating, you will most likely notice other symptoms in addition to fussiness, such as lots of spitting up or vomiting, colic, rash, blood in the poop or congestion. In this case, you should be seeing your pediatrician right away. Fussiness without other symptoms which gets better with more frequent nursing is probably not related to foods moms are eating.

Elimination Diets

If you think your baby is reacting to a particular food, of you suspect that your baby has a food allergy, some moms think going on an «elimination diet.» Some of the most likely suspects are cow’s milk products, soy and eggs. It is less clear whether wheat, tree nuts or corn can cause symptoms in breastfed babies.

There are 2 main ways of doing an «elimination diet.»

1. Eliminate all at once:
   • Take out all cow’s milk products, soy and eggs from your diet.
   • Wait 2-4 weeks to see if baby improves. The food will clear from your milk in a few days, but baby’s gut may take longer to heal.
   • If baby improves, introduce one new type of food at a time, generally the one that you miss the most!
   • If baby doesn’t improve in 4 weeks, then it may not be food related, or you may need to look at other foods. Talk again to your pediatrician, and some families will see an allergist at this point.

2. Eliminate one food type at a time:
   • Take out one food type (milk products, soy or eggs) at a time.
   • Give each food 2-4 weeks, as above, before deciding whether it is causing baby’s symptoms.
   • If baby improves, you found the right one!
   • If baby doesn’t improve in 4 weeks, then try a different food category, or you may need to look at other foods. Talk again to your pediatrician, and some families will see an allergist at this point.

Staying Healthy

It is important to stay healthy while on an elimination diet. It can be hard to eat enough and eat healthy. Cow’s milk and soy substitutes can also be expensive. If you don’t think you can eat enough protein or calories, or the elimination diet causes a lot of stress, then it may not be for you. Talk to your or your baby’s provider.

Reintroducing Foods

If you have found a food baby is reacting to, you will want to talk to your pediatrician and/or an allergist to talk about when it is best to reintroduce that food into your diet, if at all. Many babies will outgrow cow’s milk protein intolerance by 12 months of age, and most have outgrown it by 4-6 years of age. 

Proper diet for breastfeeding a newborn

How to stay in shape during a difficult period for the body? We tell you what the right diet is for breastfeeding a newborn.

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Health

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Pregnancy and childbirth

Nutrition

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Is your goal to lose weight while breastfeeding? First of all, consult a doctor — any wrong step can affect the health of the child. We tell you what the right diet for breastfeeding consists of.

Mom’s diet for weight loss while breastfeeding a newborn: general principles

Follow the basic recommendations to gradually reduce weight during lactation.

• Eat high protein foods 2-3 times a day.
• Eat three small portions of vegetables every day.
• Add two small portions of fruit to your menu every day.
• Include whole grains in your daily diet.
• Drink water only to quench your thirst. No need to force yourself to drink a certain amount of liquid.
• If you follow a vegetarian lifestyle, you may need to supplement with B12.

How much to eat while breastfeeding?

Breastfeeding requires additional calories. Adjust calories — determine your individual amount per day and add another 500 calories to it. Only after the child begins to eat other foods, you can cut calories. Remember, you don’t “store” extra calories in yourself, but give them to your child.

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Can I drink coffee while on a breastfeeding diet?

Of course, caffeine gets into milk, but most children do not interfere. However, remember that if your child is not sleeping well or is irritable, you should cut back on caffeine or cut it out altogether. Some studies show that newborns are more sensitive to caffeine than older children. So a preliminary consultation with a doctor will not hurt.

Breastfeeding Mom’s Diet by Month

1st and 2nd Months

To help the baby adapt, the feeding diet should be strict during the first month. No exotic, fatty and harmful foods and dishes.

What does the diet consist of in the 1st month:

• cereals, including millet, buckwheat and oatmeal;
• lean meat, steamed or boiled;
• fermented milk products, including cottage cheese — no more than three times a week;
• fish — twice a week;
• dried fruit compote;
• wholemeal bread and pasta;
• oil — no more than 2 tablespoons per day.
• boiled and fresh vegetables — about 500 g per day, avoid cabbage, garlic and onions.

From 2 to 6 months

The following products and dishes can be added to the menu:

• borscht without meat, seasoned with tomato juice;
• nuts other than peanuts and pistachios;
• poultry meat;
• homemade jam or jam and honey;
• fresh onion;
• fresh and dried herbs such as lemon balm, mint, basil and thyme.

From 6 months to a year

The diet for feeding a newborn from six months to a year already includes a more varied diet. Eat only boiled, stewed or steamed foods. Gradually add exotic fruits, seafood, garlic and beans to the diet and watch the child’s reaction. Do not eat unhealthy fatty foods such as condensed milk, sausages, ice cream, pickles and smoked meats.

Newborn Breastfeeding Diet: Food List

When developing a meal plan, you should be aware that your baby may develop food allergies to the foods you eat. In this case, you need to contact a specialist to identify which particular product caused the allergy in order to exclude it.

Permitted products:

• dietary meat, poultry;
• fish, including salmon, sardine and cod;
• eggs;
• medium fat milk products;
• beans, nuts, dried fruits and seeds;
• vegetables, including dark green and yellow fruits;
• allergen-free fruits;
• whole grains and cereals, including bread, pasta, cereal and oatmeal.