Occasionally, babies are sensitive to certain foods that their moms have eaten. If you find your baby reacting to something in your diet, cow’s milk products, soy, wheat, corn, eggs and peanuts are often the culprits. Brassica veggies (such as cauliflower, broccoli or brussels sprouts) can sometimes give your baby gas.
Signs of an infant allergy or sensitivity to something you’re eating include:
- stomach upset (diarrhea, green stools with mucus or blood, vomiting)
- skin problems
- fussiness associated with feeding
- waking in pain
- long and inconsolable crying bouts
- wheezing or coughing
Talk to your baby’s doctor if you see any of these symptoms.
If you have a family history of allergies to specific foods, or you suspect your baby fusses when you eat a certain food, avoid that food for now. Sometimes, abstaining from that food for just a few weeks does the trick. You may be able to reintroduce it later as your baby matures.
There are also beneficial ways that your diet can make a difference for your breastfed baby—in helping her become a better eater later in life. Research shows that babies who are exclusively breastfed for the first 6 months of life may be less likely to become picky eaters as toddlers. When babies drink breast milk, they experience all of the flavors that you take in through your own diet, which can broaden their palate as they grow and mature.
See also ...
• Dairy and other food sensitivities in breastfed babies
This message is not intended to provide individual medical advice. Always seek the advice of a physician or qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have about your health or medical condition, your breastfeeding issues and your infant's health. Never disregard, avoid or delay contacting a doctor or other qualified professional because of something you have read in our emails, webpages or other electronic communications.
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