foods that cause gas in babies
Foods That Cause Gas in Babies
One of the most common health concerns in babies is the discomfort caused by gas. Let us have a look at the various factors, including foods, that contribute to this condition, and also learn how to relieve it.
- Milk Products: Milk and other dairy products, like cheese, ice cream, and yogurt produce certain gas-inducing enzymes. In case of breast feeding, these foods, eaten by the mother, can be passed to the baby. Lactose intolerance (allergy) is another reason. If the baby cannot digest lactose, gas may arise as a symptom to this allergy. Some babies with lactose intolerance are able to consume small amount of milk and similar, but some can be too sensitive for the same.
- Fruits: If you are breast feeding your baby, do not follow a diet which is very high in fresh fruits, as the sugar and fiber in these may be difficult for the baby to digest. Experts advice a limited consumption of acidic and salty foods in the breast feeding phase. Fruits like oranges, strawberries, citrus fruits, tomatoes are high in acidic content, that may irritate the baby, and cause traces of gas. Also, the absorption of certain sugars like sorbitol, found in fruits like pears, peaches, apples, prunes, etc., slows digestion.
- Vegetables and Other Foods: There are certain foods that cause flatulence in babies. The indigestible compounds go down the large intestine, and are consumed by the natural and good bacteria, where the bacteria give off their own waste product, which is gas. Vegetables, like carrot, onion, cabbage, cauliflower, asparagus, brussels sprouts, beans, broccoli, artichokes, and white cabbage; and legumes, like chickpeas, soybeans and nuts, beans, and peas are also more likely to cause gas. Other foods like dried fruits, noodles, oats, wheat, potatoes, corn, diet soda, chocolates, caffeine, garlic, onion, peppers, spicy food, etc., are also some factors.
- Swallowing Air: Breast feeding, bottle feeding, and using pacifiers, can allow air bubbles to enter the baby's stomach. This usually happens due to the suction created during these processes.
- Hyper-lactation Syndrome: This is also a possible reason for gas. Due to abundant milk supply from the nursing mother, she may produce more fore milk (milk that is drawn first during feeding). The baby tends to quickly gulp the flow of milk, and also more air. The baby in this case feels hungrier often. This in turn continues the problem of gas, making him feel grouchier.
- Stimulation: Babies too get disturbed by overexposure to noisy and errant environment like TV, telephones, visitors, errands, and other such experiences. Just like adults face intestinal issues when overstressed, babies also get affected by an annoying environment.
- Crying: All babies cry. It is not necessary that they cry only when in pain. Since crying is the only mode of communication for them, it may mean they are hungry, warm, cold, lonely, or even need a diaper change. This causes them to swallow more air.
- Burping/belching
- Abdominal bloating
- Flatulence
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting/spitting up
- Abdominal pain
- Crying
- Sleep disturbances
- Burp the baby during nursing and bottle feeding. This will reduce the amount of air in the stomach. However, this is not fully effective.
- Give your baby a small dose of sugar water. It will soothe the pain.
- You can give a warm compress. Using a warm cloth diaper (it should not be too hot), give a warm compress to your baby's tummy.
- A soft massage on the stomach will help relieve gas. You can use some oil to massage the baby's abdomen gently.