Is Colic Linked to Mother's Diet? | Breastfeeding

Is Colic Linked to Mother’s Diet?

Is Colic Linked to Mother's Diet? There has been scientific evidence that a nursing mother’s diet can directly contribute to her newborn’s colic. A study published in the journal of Pediatrics by Dr. David Hill of the Australian Royal Children’s Hospital said that “Our findings suggest in breast-fed infants who are otherwise well, and where breast-feeding technique is satisfactory, a significant number of infants can have their distressed behavior improved within one week of diet modification”.

Other reputable institutions also believe that breastfed babies with colic may be reacting to something their mothers ate. For example, the Oklahoma State Department of Health published a document titled, Colic: Why Babies Have It… in which the author states, “Colic may be the result of formula allergies or an an allergy to something the breastfeeding mother has eaten, like dairy products, gassy vegetables and caffeine-containing foods.”

What is colic?

Colic refers to the condition where babies will be extremely fussy and cry for a long stretch of time. Many parents can recall those first few months when they didn’t know how to stop the discomfort of their new bundle of joy.

What causes colic:

Gulping gas while feeding

Allergic reaction to formula or something the mother ate for breastfed babies

Immature digestive systems trying to function

Symptoms of colic:

Comforting the baby can be difficult

Babies will cry for up to three hours

They may pull their clinched feet and hands towards their body as if in pain

Some will become gassy

Bloated stomach

Colic Management

Doctors recommend that mothers who breastfeed pay close attention to the foods they eat. It is believed that removing milk and milk products, as well as vegetables like peas can actually help.

Holding your baby face down cradled with the head in the crook of your arm can also help. The baby’s legs should be on either side of your hand and try gently rocking back and forth. This is easier of course with smaller babies.

If all else fails, there are also special kinds of formula that can help to soothe the colic baby. Enfamil makes a colic formula which contains extensively broken down proteins that quickly reduce allergy-related symptoms such as colic. (Click here for a FREE sample of Enfamil Nutramigen Colic Formula).