How do I reduce gas in my breast milk?

Understanding Gas in Breastfed Babies
Gas in breastfed babies is a common concern for many new parents. While breast milk is often hailed as the best nutrition for infants, it can sometimes lead to discomfort in babies, manifesting as fussiness and gassiness. Understanding the causes and potential solutions can help alleviate this issue.
Causes of Gas in Breastfed Babies
One of the primary reasons for gas in breastfed babies is gulping air while feeding. This can occur if the mother’s milk let-down reflex is particularly strong, causing the baby to gulp the milk quickly and inadvertently swallow air in the process. Additionally, factors such as the size of the nipple or the baby’s latch can contribute to increased air intake. A nipple that is too large or a shallow latch can lead to more air being swallowed during feeding.
Moreover, the mother’s diet can also play a significant role. Certain foods consumed by breastfeeding mothers may lead to gas in their babies. Foods such as beans, broccoli, cabbage, and dairy products are commonly associated with increased gas production. While not every baby will react to these foods, it can be helpful for mothers to monitor their diet and observe any correlations with their baby’s gassiness.
Strategies to Reduce Gas
To help reduce gas in breastfed babies, mothers can consider several strategies:
1. Adjust Feeding Techniques: Ensuring that the baby has a proper latch can minimize air intake. Mothers might also try different feeding positions to see if that helps reduce gassiness. Additionally, paced bottle feeding can mimic breastfeeding and help regulate the flow of milk, reducing the likelihood of gulping air.
2. Monitor Diet: Keeping a food diary can help mothers identify any specific foods that may be contributing to their baby’s gas. If certain foods seem to correlate with increased gassiness, it may be beneficial to eliminate them from the diet temporarily.
3. Burping Techniques: Frequent burping during and after feedings can help release trapped air. Experimenting with different burping positions, such as holding the baby upright against the shoulder or sitting them on the lap, can be effective.
4. Consider Probiotics: Some studies suggest that probiotics may help improve gut health and reduce gas in infants. However, it’s essential to consult with a pediatrician before introducing any supplements.
5. Stay Calm and Patient: It’s important for mothers to remain calm and patient. Babies often outgrow gassiness as their digestive systems mature.
Conclusion
While gas in breastfed babies can be distressing for both the infant and the parents, understanding the causes and implementing some practical strategies can significantly alleviate the issue. By adjusting feeding techniques, monitoring dietary choices, and employing effective burping methods, mothers can help their babies feel more comfortable and reduce the frequency of gassiness.

How do you reduce gas in milk?

Lactase, found in products such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid, can be taken with dairy foods to help break down lactose and lessen gas. Beano helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing vegetables. Natural remedies for gas include: Peppermint tea.

How should I lay my baby to relieve gas?

Some positioning tips: Feed your baby as upright as possible; lay your child on their back and pedal their legs with your hands to help expel gas from below; if your child is awake after a feeding, place them on their belly. Increase tummy time.

Why is my breastmilk making my baby gassy?

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. Pains from gas can make your baby fussy, but intestinal gas is not harmful.

What foods make breastmilk gassy?

Food sensitivities and gas in breastfed babies
Some moms swear that when they eat foods such as dairy products, broccoli, cabbage, bananas, eggs, or garlic, their babies are gassy and fussy for up to the next 24 hours.

What foods should breastfeeding mothers eat to prevent colic?

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.

How can I make my breast milk less gassy?

Relieving Gassy Babies

1. Burp twice. Try to coax two burps out of your baby instead of just one.
2. Sit upright. Hold your baby in an upright position while burping.
3. Tummy time. Laying your baby on their tummy will help to push gas out.
4. Bicycle exercises.
5. Massage the tummy.
6. Adjust baby’s latch.

What can I take for gas while breastfeeding?

Medicines to treat gas and bloating, such as Gas-X, Maalox, Mylanta, and others, are safe to take while breastfeeding. They contain simethicone, which is sometimes given to infants. It is also not absorbed into the mother’s system, so wouldn’t be transmitted in breast milk.

How do you make milk less gassy?

Lactase enzyme supplements may help people whose excess gas is caused by lactose intolerance. Lactase is the enzyme that helps people digest dairy products, so can make people less gassy after eating meals that include dairy.

Why does my breastfed baby fart so much?

As babies drink formula or breast milk, farts in the first few days can be a good sign that their guts are waking up. As time goes on, some liquid in the intestines may remain undigested, and the normal gut bacteria “eat” the food. The bacteria produce gas as a byproduct of their eating. Thus: A fart is produced.

What is the best position to breastfeed to reduce gas?

And upright breastfeeding positions like laid-back breastfeeding and cradle hold are also good if your child is frequently gassy.