If your baby seems extra fussy, squirmy, or gassy after nursing, you’re not alone. One of the most common concerns new moms have is whether something in their diet is making their breastfed baby uncomfortable. The truth? Some foods can cause gas in breastfed babies—but it’s not always the food, and it’s rarely just one thing.
Let’s break down what’s normal, what might be causing issues, and what you can do to soothe your little one without jumping to extremes.
Is It Normal for Breastfed Babies to Be Gassy?
Yes—most babies, including breastfed babies, get gassy. Their digestive systems are still figuring things out, and gas is a natural part of that process. You might notice more grunting, squirming, or straining during or after feeds. That doesn’t always mean something’s wrong or that you need to change your diet or avoid certain foods.
Gassiness is especially common in the evenings and tends to improve once your baby starts to move more, usually around four months. Every baby is different—some are gassier than others. As long as your baby is feeding well, growing, and generally content, some gas is nothing to stress over.
Can Your Diet Really Cause Baby Gas?
There’s no universal list of foods that every breastfeeding mother should avoid. Most foods are unlikely to cause an issue, since breast milk is made from what passes into your bloodstream—not directly from your digestive tract. That means gas you experience won’t make its way into your milk, and things like carbonated drinks or your own bloating won’t affect your baby.
That said, small proteins from your food can enter your milk and may cause issues for sensitive babies. This is rare, but it happens more often in newborns. Most babies are just fine with any food their mother eats. If you suspect something in your diet might be bothering your baby, keep a food journal (we’ll walk through how below) and try eliminating one food at a time. Going on a fully restricted diet usually isn’t necessary—and can leave you undernourished.
Common Foods That May Cause Gas in Breastfed Babies
These are the foods moms often report as possible culprits. Every baby is different, so what bothers one may not affect another at all:
- Dairy (milk, cheese, yogurt, butter)
- Soy
- Wheat
- Eggs
- Cruciferous Vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts)
- Legumes (beans, lentils, peas)
- Garlic and Onions
- Spicy Foods
- Caffeinated Drinks
The key here is balance. Eliminating all of these foods would make your diet way too restricted, especially when your body needs extra nourishment for milk production and healing. Start with one potential trigger, test, and observe.
How to Tell If It’s a Food Sensitivity, Not Just Gas
While gas is common, there are a few signs that point to something more, like a food sensitivity:
- Mucus or blood in the stool
- Skin rashes, eczema, or dry patches
- Poor weight gain
- Reflux that doesn’t improve
- Severe fussiness or crying after feeds
If you see any of these along with gas, it’s worth talking to your pediatrician. They might suggest trying an elimination diet—removing one food at a time to see if symptoms improve. Often, sensitivities fade as your baby’s digestive system matures.
Breastfed Baby Gas Relief via an Elimination Diet
How to Use an Elimination Diet Safely
If you notice a consistent reaction to something in your diet, try the following elimination approach:
- Identify the suspected food.
- Remove it completely for at least one week (some take up to two).
- Track your baby’s symptoms.
- If things improve, you’ve likely found your culprit.
- Later, reintroduce the food and watch for changes.
Many babies outgrow food sensitivities, and you may be able to reintroduce those foods down the line.
What Causes Gas in Breastfed Babies & How to Prevent It
Besides food sensitivities and normal digestive development, there are several everyday things that can lead to gas:
- Swallowing air while feeding (from a fast let-down or shallow latch)
- Crying for extended periods (babies swallow air when they cry)
- Bottle feeding too quickly (paced feeding is best)
- Using pacifiers or artificial nipples excessively
- Constipation (though it’s normal for breastfed babies to go several days without a bowel movement, hard stools or a tight belly may signal a problem)
- Medications, vitamins, teas, juice, or solids (if already introduced)
- Foremilk-hindmilk imbalance from oversupply (can cause explosive, green stools and gas)
Carbonated drinks, or bubbles in your own stomach, do not cause gas in babies. Remember—what’s in your bloodstream is what affects your milk, not what’s in your digestive system.
Easy Ways to Soothe a Gassy Breastfed Baby
These tips can help relieve gas and keep your baby comfortable:
- Burp during and after feeds. Try every 5–10 minutes.
- Tummy time. Do it 30 minutes after feeding to help move gas.
- Baby massage. Rub your baby’s tummy gently in a clockwise motion.
- Bicycle legs. Lay baby on their back and move their legs in a gentle cycling motion.
- Change positions. Try the football hold or keep baby upright after feeds.
- Shorter, more frequent feeds. Prevents overeating and air swallowing.
- Hold your baby. Skin-to-skin contact and babywearing can help settle them.
Keeping a Food Journal
A food journal can be a lifesaver if you suspect something in your diet is upsetting your baby. Here’s how to use one:
- Write down everything you eat each day.
- Record your baby’s symptoms: fussiness, crying, spitting up, runny nose, rash, eczema, night waking.
- Track timing—note when symptoms start after you eat.
If you notice a pattern, eliminate one food at a time and see what changes. Keep in mind: severe allergic reactions are rare in breastfed babies, but signs like hives, breathing issues, or projectile vomiting require immediate medical attention.
Baby Foods That Cause Gas (Once Solids Are Introduced)
Once your baby starts solids, you may notice new gassy episodes. Common culprits include:
- Apricots
- Beans
- Bran
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Citrus fruits
- Oatmeal
- Peaches
- Pears
- Plums
- Prunes
These foods aren’t harmful—they just may cause temporary tummy troubles. Introduce them slowly and watch how your baby responds.
Final Thoughts
Some gas is totally normal. A little trial and error is normal, too. If your baby seems happy and is gaining weight, there’s probably no need to stress over every bite you take. But if your instincts tell you something feels off, keep a food journal, or try to remove possible triggers.
Formula-fed babies often experience more digestive discomfort than breastfed babies. So if you’re breastfeeding—even with a few bumps along the way—you’re giving your baby the best start.
Resources
- Find a breastfeeding support group near you.
- Milkology Breastfeeding Class – Affordable, video-based online course to help you master breastfeeding at your own pace.
References
- Elimination Diets in Lactating Mothers of Infants with Food Allergy — Nutrients (2024)
- 5 Breastfeeding Diet Myths — Johns Hopkins Medicine (2023)
- What’s Causing Gas in My Breastfed Baby? — Texas Children’s Hospital (2025)
- Signs and Solutions for Your Gassy Breastfed Baby — Medela
