As a mom and a newborn photographer in The Mainline Philadelphia working closely with new moms and their precious babies, I’ve seen firsthand how those early weeks can be both magical and overwhelming. One of the most common concerns I hear from moms during their newborn sessions is this:
“Why is my baby so gassy and fussy, especially after feeding?”
If you're a breastfeeding mom navigating long nights with a crying, colicky baby, the culprit might be something unexpected with your diet.
While every baby is different, some foods in a nursing mother’s diet can contribute to infant gas, colic, and digestive discomfort. In this blog post, we’ll break down why that happens, which foods are most likely to cause gas in breastfed babies, and what you can do to soothe your little one.
Why Do Certain Foods Cause Gas in Breastfed Babies?
The food you eat while nursing passes through your digestive system and enters your breast milk in a modified form. While your body filters out many compounds, some proteins, sugars, and acids make their way into your milk and can affect your baby’s tummy.
Babies’ digestive systems are still developing in those early weeks. This means they may struggle to break down certain substances, leading to:
- Trapped gas
- Bloating
- Stomach cramps
- Frequent crying (especially at night)
- Colic symptoms (crying for more than 3 hours a day, at least 3 days a week)
Let’s take a look at the specific foods that can trigger these symptoms.
Common Gas-Causing Foods to Limit While Breastfeeding
While not all babies are sensitive to every food, here are some common gassy or acidic foods known to affect breastfed babies:
🥦 Gas-Producing Vegetables
- Asparagus – High in fiber and sulfur, can cause gas and smelly stools.
- Broccoli, Cabbage, Brussels sprouts, Cauliflower – Rich in raffinose and sulfur.
- Kale and Collard greens – Harder to digest for some babies.
- Onions and Garlic – Contain gas-forming fructans and can change milk taste.
- Leeks and Shallots – Mild, but still in the allium family and may affect sensitive tummies.
🥤 Dairy Products
- Milk
- Cheese
- Yogurt
- Ice cream
- Pizza
Dairy is one of the most common culprits behind colic and gas in newborns. Cow's milk proteins (casein and whey) can irritate a baby’s digestive system.
🍊 Citrus Fruits and Juices
- Oranges
- Grapefruits
- Lemons
- Limes
Citrus fruits are acidic and may irritate your baby’s tummy or cause diaper rash.
🌶️ Spicy or Strongly Flavored Foods
- Curry
- Hot peppers
- Chili powder
- Salsa
- Mustard and horseradish
May cause reflux-like symptoms or fussiness after feedings.
Spices can change the flavor of your breast milk and sometimes trigger tummy troubles or restlessness in your baby.
🧁 Other Potential Triggers
- Chocolate – Contains caffeine and theobromine.
- Coffee and Tea – Even decaf can contain small caffeine traces.
- Carbonated drinks (soda, sparkling water) – Introduces extra air and gas.
- Artificial sweeteners (Sorbitol, Mannitol) – Common in gum, mints, diet foods.
Caffeine passes into breast milk and can keep your baby awake and uncomfortable. Chocolate also contains a stimulant called theobromine, which can be irritating.
🍎 Fruits High in Sorbitol or Fiber
- Apples
- Pears
- Peaches
- Plums
- Cherries
- Watermelon – High water + sugar = potential bloating.
These fruits are high in sorbitol, a sugar alcohol that may cause gas and loose stools in some infants.
🫘 Beans and Legumes
- Black beans
- Kidney beans
- Lentils
- Chickpeas (Garbanzo beans)
- Split peas
Contain oligosaccharides, which ferment in the gut and create gas.
🧅 Onions and Garlic
These strong-flavored vegetables contain fructans, which may be hard to digest and can give breast milk a taste that some babies find unpleasant.
Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, and other Powdered Spices can potentially cause colic or gassiness in breastfed babies, just like their fresh versions.
Why:
- The compounds that trigger digestive discomfort (like sulfur in onions and fructans in garlic) are still present in powdered form.
- Powdered spices like chili powder, curry powder, and blends (e.g., taco seasoning) often contain a mix of potent ingredients, including capsaicin or acidic bases, which may affect the taste of breast milk or irritate sensitive tummies.
- While less concentrated than eating raw garlic or onion, frequent or large amounts of the powdered version can build up and have the same effect.
Tips:
- Try reducing or eliminating onion and garlic powder for a few days to see if your baby becomes more comfortable.
- Reintroduce slowly, and observe changes in crying patterns, gas, or feeding behavior.
Safe alternatives:
- Use mild herbs like basil, oregano, or thyme in moderation.
- Focus on bland, whole foods for a week or two during the peak colic period (typically weeks 2–6).
🍞 Wheat and Gluten
Some babies may be sensitive to gluten in wheat products, especially if there’s a family history of gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Note: These are just some of the foods that may cause gas, discomfort, or colic in some breastfed babies. Every baby is unique. Some may tolerate all of these foods just fine, while others may be sensitive to only one or two or even something not listed here. If your baby is showing signs of gas, colic, or fussiness after feedings, try tracking your diet and eliminating potential triggers one at a time.
What Should You Do If Your Baby Is Gassy or Colicky?
If your baby is experiencing frequent gas or signs of colic, try the following:
- Keep a food journal – Write down everything you eat and how your baby reacts after feedings.
- Eliminate one food group at a time – For example, remove dairy for 7–10 days and monitor changes.
- Burp your baby more often – During and after feeds to release trapped air.
- Feed in an upright position – This can reduce the amount of air your baby swallows.
- Try infant tummy massage or bicycle leg movements – These gentle techniques can help relieve gas naturally.
When to Seek Help
Persistent gas, crying, or signs of colic should always be discussed with your pediatrician or lactation consultant. If your baby has mucus or blood in the stool, severe reflux, or isn’t gaining weight, food allergies or intolerances could be the cause.
A Final Word from a mom and a Newborn Photographer Who’s Been There…
As a photographer, I love capturing those sleepy, peaceful newborn moments, but I also know how hard those early weeks can be. If your baby seems uncomfortable and you’re feeling overwhelmed, know that you’re not alone. Many moms go through this stage, and simple dietary tweaks can make a big difference.
Being a mom means learning, adjusting, and tuning into your baby’s needs one day at a time. Keep nurturing your little one and don’t forget to take care of yourself, too.
Personal Experience
As a mom of five, I’ve experienced first hand how differently each baby can react to certain foods. Some of my babies had no issues at all, while others did. One of them screamed non-stop until I discovered the culprit: all the citrus I had been eating. I also found that seltzer and soda didn’t agree with her at all. This experience taught me how important it is to pay attention to what you're eating while breastfeeding. Every baby is unique, so if your little one shows signs of discomfort, try tracking your meals and adjusting accordingly.
Looking for Peaceful Newborn Photos in Philadelphia?
If you're in the Philadelphia area and want to preserve your baby’s fleeting first days in calm, cozy portraits, I’d love to chat.
When you book a session with me, you’ll receive a complete newborn session prep guide including a list of common gas-triggering foods to avoid if you're breastfeeding. I typically recommend that nursing moms steer clear of these foods the day before the session. This helps ensure your baby stays comfortable and settled, making for a smoother, more peaceful experience in the studio.
Want to see what that looks like?
Check out some of the fleeting newborn moments I’ve had the honor of capturing:
Ready to book your session?
Let’s turn those first days into forever memories created with love, care, and my passion for preserving your story.
