8 Foods to Avoid to Prevent Colic

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Almost every child suffers from colic and every mother wishes there was a way they could keep it away. Colic in babies is the stuff that motherhood nightmares are made of. While it may seem like it’s beyond our control, there are foods to avoid to prevent colic.

Babies who are exclusively breastfeeding may develop colic for many reasons. But the foods you eat have a direct relation to how gassy your baby gets. Some babies seem to not be bothered at all by colic and pass this stage uneventfully. However, some other babies may suffer from colic for weeks or even months until their little tummies eventually adjust to their feeding.

Colic is not only distressing for the baby, but it’s also very stressful for the mother. Beyond the pain of seeing your baby in distress, colicky babies have a harder time falling asleep and when they do, their sleep is interrupted by pain spasms. This vicious cycle is one of the courses of post-partum fatigue and perpetual eye bags.

For the new moms and moms-to-be who’d like to know how to dietary deal with this not-so-little menace, you’ll find this piece very helpful.

What is Colic?

Colic happens when gas is trapped in the baby’s stomach, causing painful muscle spasms. Some babies are able to pass the gas frequently through burping or farting, but most babies go through a difficult time before that gas is passed. If the baby is displaying such signs and symptoms, you have a baby with colic.

Colic starts at around two weeks after birth and may go on all the way up to when the baby is 3 or 4 months old. Although colic is pretty painful and is the course of most baby cries in the early weeks, not all pains are attributed to colic. Before you conclude your baby is suffering from colic and not any other illness, here’s how to know when it’s colic and when it’s not.

Signs of a Colicky Baby

Babies generally cry a lot, it’s the only language they are born speaking. However, a baby is most likely colicky if they are crying for more than three hours in a day cumulatively. Colicky babies are inconsolable and tend to find it very hard to fall or stay asleep.

If the baby is crying and twisting his body, flaring his arms and curling his legs, he’s experiencing colic. Colicky babies will in most cases sleep in bits and starts, often startling out of their sleep in wails. Colic is not a straight line, and most medics don’t really know why it happens the way it does. However, many mothers have revealed that their babies have more severe colic symptoms when they eat certain foods. If you are suspecting that your baby is reacting to something you’re eating, it’s time to start taking a keen look at what’s on your plate.

Is it Really Colic?

Colic bears the cross for many other diseases even when it’s not the culprit. Here’s how you can know that your baby is suffering from something else:

#1 If he seems too sleepy or drowsy

If your baby seems unwell and is excessively drowsy, he may be suffering from something else. Colicky babies tend to be more hyper and crankier as opposed to drowsy and lethargic. See a paediatrician if your child isn’t keen to stay awake or to even feed.

#2 A whimping cry

If the child is constantly crying but has a quiet whimper as opposed to loud gutsy crying, he’s sick and he needs medical attention. Fever and other body pains are manifested by this kind of cry.

#3 Throwing up and diarrhoea

While colic in babies is classified as an upset stomach, throwing and loose stool are not symptoms of colic. A child who’s vomiting and having diarrhoea may get dehydrated very fast. Take him to the hospital immediately, do not try to treat him with over-the-counter medication.

RELATED ARTICLE: Common Baby Ailments And How to Treat Them

8 Foods to Avoid to Prevent Colic in Babies

Most of the foods that are known to cause gas in adults will most likely also induce colic in babies. The gas inducing elements sip to the baby through the breast milk, causing the production of gas and subsequently colic. Here are some of the foods to avoid to prevent colic in babies while breastfeeding.

#1 Beans

When it comes to colic, beans are a major culprit. While beans are a very healthy option for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike, their gas-producing properties make them a no-no for most people. Beans cause gas even in adults and in babies who are prone to colic, they can whirl up a whole hurricane. The redder varieties of beans seem to be more problematic than the brighter coloured beans.

If you have noticed that your baby is crankier and fussier after you’ve had a meal of beans, you should consider striking off your diet until the baby is older. Alternatively, you can consider switching the red beans for options such as kidney beans and navy beans.

Soaking the beans overnight and discarding the water before boiling them reduces their chances of producing gas in your baby. This is even better if they are sprouted, it reduces their gassiness and makes them easier on the stomach.

#2 Lentils

While some adults are able to withstand the gas produced by consuming lentils without much hassle, breastfeeding babies whose mothers frequently consume lentils tend to be more colicky than most. To kick colic away, eliminate lentils and most of other legumes from your diet.

Lentils are very high in proteins and unsaturated fats, making them among the healthiest foods for a breastfeeding mom. Despite the glowing tributes, they are also famous for producing incredibly huge amounts of gas.

Legumes in general are a major cause of colic in babies. If you’re a breastfeeding mother with a baby who is prone to stomach upsets, consider eliminating all legumes from your diet until a time when the baby can withstand them.

#3 Dairy

All things dairy have a reputation for causing allergies in both babies and adults. This makes them one of the top foods to avoid to prevent colic while breastfeeding.

The allergenic properties in dairy percolate into the breast milk, causing stomach upsets in breastfeeding babies. Cow milk is especially notorious for producing colic in breastfeeding babies. However much you may crave that cold glass of milk or cheese, you may need to forego it for the season that you’re breastfeeding. The sugar in milk – lactose – is difficult to digest leading to lactose intolerance. This intolerance causes bloating and cramping that keeps your baby in colic misery.

This encompasses all milk products such as cheese, ghee, butter, yoghurt and plain milk. If dairy products are the reason your colicky baby is not feeling better, it’s time to move on to better sources of calcium. Try safer alternatives such as rice milk or almond. However, you should be careful with milk made from nuts to avoid solving one problem and creating another.

#4 Cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are excellent for that vital fibre that you need after delivery. Their high vitamins contents and their ability to combat constipation makes them an excellent choice for many moms post-partum.

Despite overflowing with goodness, they are also the perfect example of foods to avoid to prevent colic in babies. If you’ve had a good helping of broccoli or cabbage before, you know that they have a reputation for causing crazy stomach gas.

If your baby is breastfeeding and their colic symptoms seem to get worse after a meal of any of these leafy vegetables, take a break from them for a while and see if he gets better. Do not eliminate all the vegetables at once, do away with one at a time until you find the one that’s wreaking havoc in your baby’s tummy.

Vegetables are vital for your health and or the production of milk. Substitute these with other less gassy vegetables such as lettuce and zucchini.

#5 Caffeinated drinks

Caffeine and breastfeeding are not good friends as it tends to make the babies gassy and colicky. Any caffeinated drinks should be avoided by breastfeeding moms whether the baby is showing colic signs or not.

Caffeine has been rumored to reduce milk production in lactating moms especially if you’re already struggling with low milk production. For babies who are prone to colic, caffeine makes it worse.

Beverages and snacks that have a high amount of caffeine such as coffee and chocolate should not be a part of a lactating mother’s diet. Instead, consume natural fruit juices and plenty of water. This will also be beneficial in your quest to lose the mommy pouch.

#6 Junk food

Sometimes you may just be craving a burger or the fries from the joint that was your favourite spot in pregnancy. Understandably, the hormones are still raging and some of the cravings may still be present. Even if you are craving junk food, consuming such may expose your baby to colic.

If your baby seems fussy after a junk food treat, you have found the offender, desist from taking it completely. Substitute junk with healthier options such as whole grains, nuts and vegetables. Junk foods will also make it harder to lose the post baby weight that you can’t wait to get rid of.

#7 Spicy foods

Sometimes the tongue can’t do without the spices, understandably so. Spices change the flavour and the taste of food in ways only spice lovers know. Nevertheless, spices naturally tend to cause stomach upsets and bloating even in adults. When consumed by a breastfeeding mom, spices may end up causing an upset stomach and subsequently colic in the breastfed baby.

Even natural spices such as chilli, ginger and cayenne pepper are no better when it comes to the foods to avoid to prevent colic in babies. They too should be kicked to the curb until the baby’s tummy is able to stomach them.

#8 Fizzy drinks and energy drinks

Fizzy drinks such as soda are already full of gas and cause lots of bloating. They are also not a healthy option due to the amount of chemicals, sugars and preservatives that they contain.

Consuming these in high amounts while breastfeeding may be the cause of gassiness in your baby. They may also give you gas and cause discomfort for you as well. Instead of these, drink water and plenty of fruit juices and healthy smoothies. These are excellent for weight loss and will keep your baby’s tummy pain free.

What to Do to Relief Colic in Babies

Establishing what is causing your baby’s colic is a major step in the direction of reducing colic in breastfeeding babies. However, it may take you a couple of days or even weeks before you finally put a pin on what exactly has been the major problem. If your baby is still suffering from colic and you haven’t found the cause, here are a few things you can do to give relief to the baby.

#1 Tummy massage

A gentle massage on the tummy in round motions may be a good way to reduce the gas that is trapped in your baby’s tummy. Apply some baby oil and rub the baby’s tummy gently when he starts to fuss to expel the gas.

#2 Bicycle exercises

Doing bicycle exercises on your baby also helps the get rid of the gas. Just hold each leg with your hands with the baby lying down on his back. Make repeated bike-riding movements with the baby’s feet, momentarily pressing them down to his tummy. Remember to be gentle.

#3 Burping

Ensuring that the baby has burped after every feed will help reduce the amount of gas in the tummy and reduce colic. Let the baby lie on your chest nearer the shoulder and gently rub the small of his back until he lets out a belch.

#4 Colic medication

If the colic is too bad, your doctor can recommend medication to relieve the baby’s pain. Some of this medication is to be taken before every feed to prevent colic in babies. Do not buy over-the-counter medication for babies younger than three months.

Take Away

Colic is a huge joy-killer for any mother, but just like all infant and childhood symptoms, it soon ends. Take a day at a time to find out what foods to avoid to prevent colic. Once you’ve figured out what in your diet is causing the colic, you’ll be one step closer to beating colic.

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