I read with interest Ruth Solomon's response to the list of gas producing
foods.  I agree whole heartedly and have always wanted to ask our "resident"
pediatric gi doctor this question.  Do high fiber foods (like beans,
broccoli, cabbage ) cause gas in the breastfed infant or just potentially in
the mother?
Certainly the fiber does not pass into the bloodstream and thus into the
breastmilk.  Is there another factor in these foods that gets to the milk?

I seem to spend a lot of time defusing new moms worries that "everything they
eat" is bothering the baby.  And listening to the question, "how long does it
take for a food to get into my milk?"  It seems that many babies are gassy or
fussy during the first few months of life.  Perhaps a small percentage of
these infants have true allergies--so for round the clock fussies or
worsening problems, I review the allergens with moms (mentioning dairy, eggs,
citrus, peanuts, wheat; in that order).  And then suggest a two week
elimination diet.

Of course, this information getting out into the community has caused some
moms to come in saying that the nurse in the hospital said that all nursing
moms should not drink milk/or my favorite: should watch the milk in their
diet.  If there is an allergy, does "watching" (cutting back) produce the
desired effect?

All comments will be welcome.

Toni Pestro, RN, BSN, IBCLC
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Cincinnati, OH