What causes gas and blowouts?
As if motherhood isn’t hard enough, breastfeeding comes with its own set of challenges. Among them: poor latch, milk supply issues, clogged ducts and thrush. Throw into the mix an infant with a sensitive stomach (read: gassy af) and what’s a mama to do but throw her hands up in the air?
While there’s no hard research to prove any certain foods are blowout-causing culprits, The Mayo Clinic recommends keeping a food diary and systematically cutting out foods that seem to be adversely affecting your baby’s digestion. Some common offenders according to Livestrong are dairy, citrus fruit, spices, gas-producing vegetables, soy, wheat and corn. Fiber can also cause gassiness but is an important aid to digestion — so monitoring which fiber-rich foods are problem-causing is a better approach than eliminating fiber altogether.
You’ve given up so much, I know — but fear not! You don’t need to give up good tasting food too. Add these simple meals into your weekly rotation to prevent or soothe tummy irritation while still delivering optimum nutrients to your nursing babe.