How to figure out what foods are bothering your baby.
When it comes down to trying to figure out what foods are bothering your breastfed baby, it is REALLY helpful to keep a log of what you are eating so that you can remember from a few days ago and also start to see patterns or trends of when you notice a reaction.
What you ate within the week, and more specifically in the last 48 hours, might be key to what is bothering your baby.
IgE allergies often cause a reaction immediately. However, non IgE allergies (better known as IgG, most typical for infants) can be a more delayed reaction.
Often the reaction is within the first 48 hours, but not always. I’ve experienced delayed reactions and I know plenty of other people who have too.
When talking about the mechanics of foods passing through breastmilk you first consume a food, then it has to go through your milk (if it even happens to pass through that particular time!), then it has to transfer to baby and baby has to react. That is quite a process!
Not only that, but it can be dependent how much you consumed, when you consumed it and then when baby nursed.
So what’s a mom to do? Are you feeling more panicky right about now?
It is REALLY important to food journal. I did NOT do this religiously with my son, like I did with my daughter, and I wasted so much time trying to remember even just a few days ago what had eaten. I had NO reference point to be able to see patterns. You need to be able to look back over the last few weeks, and see if you can find trends in reactions. This is how you will find answers.
It will also help if you eat a consistent set of “low risk” foods on a weekly basis, but then switch things up with just a few “iffy foods” This may be particularly beneficial if your baby is having sporadic issues. It can help you determine whether or not one of these “iffy foods” is a problem.
Food journaling does not need to be a complicated ordeal. You can just jot down key words in your phone notes app for what you ate, to keep track. The most important thing is having a food log to reference!
If things are consistently BAD with not much variety, it’s likely something you are consuming daily or very often.
Have you been putting off food journaling or doing it halfway? Do you need to find someone to keep you accountable so that you can find answers for what is bothering your fussy baby? Are you having a hard time figuring things out even with food journaling? Consider doing a consult with Fed Well Baby!