Can Abundant Breastmilk Cause Gas In Newborns?

Breast milk is widely considered the best source of nutrition for newborns. It provides them with the calories, fats, and nutrients they need to grow and develop, as well as important immunities to protect them from illness. However, it is not uncommon for breastfed babies to experience gas, which can cause discomfort and fussiness. While there are many potential causes of gas in newborns, one question that sometimes arises is whether consuming too much breast milk can be a contributing factor. So, can too much breast milk make a newborn gassy?

How to know if your breastfed baby is gassy

It can be stressful and upsetting for new parents to see and hear their baby cry. If you've checked off all the usual suspects—a dirty diaper, an empty belly, discomfort, or over-tiredness—and you still can’t seem to soothe your little one, they might be gassy.

Signs that your breastfed baby is gassy

• Burping: It’s possible your baby has swallowed too much air while nursing or crying for a long period.
• Spitting up: While spitting up is perfectly normal, gas that’s trapped in the stomach can push breast milk back up and cause your baby to spit up.
• Bloated tummy: This could be a sign that gas has built up in your baby’s stomach.
• Flatulence: Every baby passes gas, but if they’re doing so excessively, it could mean they have excess gas.
• Arched back, legs drawn toward the tummy: The discomfort from gas pains will make a baby try to adjust to alleviate it.

Gas in a breastfed baby is not uncommon and can be attributed to several factors:

• Gulping while feeding: If your milk let-down reflex is strong, your baby may gulp your milk to keep up and swallow extra air in the process. If that’s the case, your little one may do better nursing in a more upright position, so they have better control over milk intake and flow.
• Constipation: When your baby is constipated, they may have gas trapped in their tummies that they’re having a hard time releasing.
• Crying: If your baby has been crying for a long time, they may be gulping in air in the process.
• Mom’s diet: Food that you’ve eaten can make your baby gassy as well. Certain foods such as dairy, soy or wheat may contribute to gassiness in your little one. Keep a food journal while breastfeeding to see if you can pinpoint the culprit in your diet.
• Overabundant milk supply: If your baby gets a lot of foremilk, which has lots of lactose, and less hindmilk, which is high in fat to slow the digestive process, the enzyme in your baby's system that digests lactose becomes overwhelmed and can't do its job.

What to do if your breastfed baby is gassy

There are several effective ways to help relieve your baby’s gas pains and soothe them. Try a combination of these to find what works best for your little one:

• Burp twice: Try to coax two burps out of your baby instead of just one.
• Sit upright: Hold your baby in an upright position while burping. This makes it easier to expel gas.
• Tummy time: Laying your baby on their tummy will help to push gas out.
• Bicycle exercises: Put your baby on their back and move their legs in a pedaling motion, similar to cycling on a bike. This helps with constipation as well.
• Massage the tummy: A gentle massage can help move gas out.
• Adjust baby’s latch: Make sure your baby is latching correctly to avoid swallowing too much air.

Foods to avoid while breastfeeding a gassy newborn

It is important to note that there is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet cause intestinal issues in their babies. Most babies are fine with any food that the mother eats, so there is no reason to avoid a food unless you notice an obvious reaction in your baby every time you eat a particular food.

However, if you notice that your baby becomes fussy after eating something, try avoiding that food for a while and see if it makes a difference. Some foods that have been reported to cause infant gas include kale, spinach, beans, onions, garlic, peppers, spicy foods, and any foods containing cow's milk protein.

• Fiber-rich foods, especially those containing bran, beans, and whole grains.
• Fruits, particularly apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, plums, and citrus fruits.
• Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, asparagus, cauliflower, onions, and garlic. These vegetables are less likely to be offensive when cooked.
• Starches such as potatoes, corn, and pasta.
• Dairy products, especially those containing cow's milk protein.
• Beverages with caffeine or carbonation.

How to relieve a gassy baby

It's common for babies to pass gas 13-21 times a day, and it's usually nothing to worry about. However, if your baby seems uncomfortable, there are several things you can do to help relieve their gas pains.

Burping Techniques

• Try to coax two burps out of your baby instead of just one.
• Keep your baby in an upright position while burping to make it easier to expel gas.
• Burp your baby during and after feedings. If they don't burp right away, lay them down on their back for a few minutes and then try again.
• If you're breastfeeding, hold your baby upright before switching breasts to give them a chance to burp.
• If you're bottle-feeding, use the slowest-flow nipple and keep the bottle tilted so there are no air bubbles in the nipple.
• Try burping your baby after every 2-3 ounces if bottle-feeding, and every 5-10 minutes if breastfeeding.

Feeding Tips

• Start feedings before your baby cries from hunger, as they are more likely to swallow air when crying.
• Feed your baby in a more upright position to reduce the amount of air they swallow.
• If bottle-feeding, ensure the nipple is always full of milk so your baby doesn't chase formula with air.
• Avoid shaking the bottle too much, as this can add extra bubbles to the milk.
• Try a concentrated liquid or ready-to-feed formula instead of powder.

Exercises

• Bicycle exercises: lay your baby on their back and move their legs in a pedalling motion to help push out trapped air and relieve constipation.
• Tummy time: lay your baby on their stomach to help push gas out.
• Massage your baby's tummy gently to help move gas out.
• Lay your baby on their back and gently push their knees up to their tummy, hold for 10 seconds, then release and straighten their legs. Repeat several times.

Dietary Changes

• If you're breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about whether you should cut out foods that could cause gas in your baby, such as dairy products, caffeine, onions, garlic, spicy foods, and cabbage.
• If formula-feeding, talk to your doctor about switching to a formula that may be better for gassy babies, such as protein hydrolysate-based formulas, formulas with lower lactose, or formulas containing whey or soy instead of cow's milk.

Medication

• Over-the-counter gas drops for infants, such as simethicone drops, are generally considered safe and may help relieve gas pains.
• Talk to your doctor about giving your baby chamomile tea through a dropper, as it may help relieve gas pain.
• Baby gripe water, a blend of sodium bicarbonate and herbs, may help relieve gas and soothe your baby. However, be sure to get your doctor's approval first.

How to prevent a gassy baby

It is common for babies to pass gas 13-21 times a day. While it is normal, gas can sometimes be painful for newborns. Here are some tips to help prevent your baby from becoming gassy:

Manage Air Intake During Feedings

Babies can swallow air while feeding, so it is important to reduce this as much as possible. If using a bottle, choose an anti-colic bottle or nipple to reduce air intake. If breastfeeding, ensure your baby has a secure latch to prevent them from swallowing too much air. Feeding your baby in an upright position can also help them swallow less air and better handle any gas bubbles.

Burp Your Baby

Burping your baby once or twice during and after feeding can help release trapped air that is causing discomfort. For bottle-fed babies, try burping at least every 1-2 ounces, or when the bottle is halfway empty. For breastfed babies, burp every 5-10 minutes, or when switching breasts.

Bicycle Your Baby's Legs

When changing your baby's diaper, gently move their legs in a bicycling motion. This movement will apply pressure and stimulate their bowels to release any trapped gas.

Engage in Tummy Time

Tummy time encourages your baby to engage their core muscles, which can help release gas.

Switch Up Your Diet

While research is limited on the impact of a mother's breast milk on a baby's gassy habits, it may be worthwhile to keep a food diary and monitor your baby's reaction after you eat certain foods like cruciferous vegetables, dairy, or soy. This can help you identify if any specific foods are making your baby uncomfortable.

Switch to Shorter Feeds

If your baby has associated spit-ups, it may be beneficial to feed them smaller meals more frequently rather than larger meals less often. This may help decrease how often and how much your baby spits up.

How to know if your baby is allergic to something in your diet

It is important to note that there is limited scientific research proving that certain foods in a breastfeeding mother's diet cause intestinal issues in their babies. However, if you suspect that your baby is allergic to something in your diet, there are some signs to look out for.

Firstly, it is important to understand that babies can be gassy due to several reasons, such as immature digestive systems, constipation, or swallowing too much air while feeding or crying. Gassiness is often worse at night and usually has nothing to do with what the mother does or eats.

However, if you suspect that your baby's fussiness and gas are related to your diet, you can try eliminating certain foods that are commonly associated with gas and allergies. These include dairy, soy, wheat, fiber-rich foods, certain fruits and vegetables, garlic, and carbonated beverages.

If you notice that your baby becomes fussy or gassy after you consume a particular food or drink, try avoiding it for a while to see if there is any improvement. It is also important to introduce new foods gradually, one at a time, so that you can easily identify any potential allergens.

Some common signs of a mild allergic reaction in babies include:

• Tingling or itchiness in the throat and mouth
• Swelling in the lips, eyes, or face
• Abdominal pain or vomiting
• Congestion, sneezing, or a runny nose

More severe allergic reactions can include:

• Full-body rash or hives
• Swelling of the eyes, lips, or elsewhere
• Rapid heart rate
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Dizziness or fainting

If you suspect that your baby is having a severe allergic reaction, seek immediate medical attention.

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