10 Best Foods for Breastfeeding Mothers to Help Keep Babies Calm
A night that should be a time for rest can instead be filled with your little one’s cries after feeding. Their tummy may seem uncomfortable, their sleep may be disrupted, and you may start wondering whether the foods you eat could be affecting them.
Not all baby fussiness is caused by a mother’s diet. However, understanding healthy eating habits during breastfeeding and creating a comfortable feeding experience can help you feel more at ease while supporting your little one’s comfort.
Can a Breastfeeding Mother’s Diet Affect Her Baby?
The nutrients you consume are processed by your body and contribute to the components of breast milk, so some babies may have different sensitivities to certain foods. However, baby fussiness can also be influenced by other factors, such as growth spurts, colic, sleep patterns, and feeding techniques, rather than the mother’s diet alone.
Key Nutrients for Breastfeeding Mothers to Support Baby’s Comfort
1. High-Quality Protein
Helps meet the mother’s nutritional needs while supporting the baby’s growth and development through breast milk. Sources include eggs, lean meat, fish, and legumes.
2. Healthy Fats
Support your baby’s rapidly developing brain during the breastfeeding period, particularly from sources of unsaturated fats such as avocado and olive oil.
3. Fiber and Fluids
Help keep the mother’s digestion comfortable, allowing her body to better manage the demands of a daily breastfeeding routine that can be physically and mentally demanding.
4. Vitamins and Minerals
Support the nutritional needs provided through breast milk while also helping mothers meet their own requirements for nutrients such as iron, calcium, and vitamin D.
Foods That Are Good for Breastfeeding Mothers to Help Keep Babies Calm
Close-up of a fresh vegetable salad bowl with tofu, perfect for a nutritious meal. Source: Pexels
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Oatmeal: Filling and easy to prepare between the demands of a busy breastfeeding routine.
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Bananas: Easy to digest and help maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
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Avocado: Rich in healthy fats with a soft texture that is easy to enjoy.
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Warm Chicken Soup: A comforting meal that can help support your fluid intake.
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Yogurt: Helps support digestive health during the breastfeeding period.
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Papaya: A natural source of fiber that is beneficial for breastfeeding mothers.
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Salmon: Contains omega-3 fatty acids that support your baby’s growth and development.
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Spinach and Leafy Greens: Help meet your daily iron needs.
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Coconut Water: Helps maintain fluid levels, especially when breastfeeding frequently.
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Almonds: A convenient snack packed with beneficial nutrients for breastfeeding mothers.
Foods to Limit If Your Baby Appears Sensitive
Certain foods and beverages, such as very spicy foods, excessive caffeine, ultra-processed foods, and excessive carbonated drinks, may be worth limiting if your little one shows signs of sensitivity, such as excessive fussiness or bloating after feeding. Not all babies react to the same foods, so you can keep a simple food diary to identify any recurring patterns.
Also read: Foods for Breastfeeding Mothers to Help Prevent Baby Diarrhea: Facts, Myths, and the Right Diet
Beyond Nutrition, Feeding Techniques Can Also Affect Your Baby’s Comfort
Sometimes, your baby may not be fussy because of breast milk itself, but because they are swallowing too much air during feeding. Signs that your baby may be uncomfortable during feeding include frequent spit-up, bloating, crying easily after feeding, and swallowing excessive amounts of air.
That is why a feeding bottle with an anti-colic system can be helpful in reducing the amount of air swallowed during feeding, allowing your little one to drink more calmly and comfortably.
Why Does the Hegen Feeding Bottle Help Create a More Comfortable Feeding Experience?
GET THE Hegen Feeding Bottle Collection HERE
Asymmetrical Teat for a More Natural Feeding Position
Hegen teats are ultra-soft and designed with an asymmetrical, off-centre shape, allowing for a natural upright feeding position at an angle of approximately 20 degrees, similar to the position used during direct breastfeeding.
This design minimizes the excessive tilting typically required with conventional bottles, helping reduce the risk of milk flowing back toward the middle ear, which may contribute to ear discomfort.
Air Venting System to Help Prevent Colic
The air venting system allows air to flow without mixing with the milk, helping minimize the oxidation of essential nutrients.
The system also helps reduce excessive air intake during feeding, supporting your little one’s digestive comfort and helping prevent tummy discomfort that can often lead to fussiness.
Premium, Safe, and Durable Material
Made from premium PPSU that can withstand repeated sterilization and is BPA-free, making it safe for everyday use without compromising long-term durability.
Practical Design with the Press-to-Close, Twist-to-Open™ System
The bottle can be used with interchangeable straw cup and storage container components, featuring a leakproof design that is suitable for everyday use and traveling with your little one.
🍼 Want calmer feeding sessions without the colic drama?Learn more about Hegen Feeding Bottles here and discover feeding solutions designed to support your little one’s comfort.
How to Make Feeding Time More Comfortable for Your Baby
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Pay attention to proper feeding positioning to help prevent your baby from swallowing excess air.
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Burp your baby after feeding to help release swallowed air.
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Avoid rushing during feeding so your baby can drink at their natural rhythm.
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Make sure your baby has a comfortable latch, whether breastfeeding directly or feeding from a bottle.
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Create a calm environment during feeding to help your little one stay relaxed.
Signs That Your Baby Is Having a Comfortable Feeding Experience
Your baby appears calmer after feeding, sleeps more soundly, experiences less spit-up, and gains weight appropriately for their age.
Daily Meal Ideas for Breastfeeding Mothers to Support Baby’s Comfort
Start the day with oatmeal and bananas, have yogurt and fruit as a morning snack, enjoy warm rice with salmon and leafy greens for lunch, have almonds and coconut water as an afternoon snack, and finish the day with chicken soup and avocado for dinner.
Hegen’s Modern Feeding System Solution
The breastfeeding period often makes mothers more mindful of everything they eat to support their little one’s comfort. Proper nutrition, adequate hydration, and a comfortable feeding experience can help babies stay more settled throughout the day while giving mothers greater confidence throughout their breastfeeding journey.
A feeding bottle designed with anti-colic technology can also help make feeding moments more comfortable for both mother and baby, without unnecessary worry every time it is time to feed.
Discover modern feeding solutions from Hegen Indonesia. Explore the Hegen Feeding Bottle collection and experience anti-colic vent innovation and an ergonomic design to support more comfortable everyday feeding.
FAQ About Foods That Are Good for Breastfeeding Mothers
What foods can help keep a breastfed baby from becoming fussy?
Nutrient-rich foods such as oatmeal, bananas, avocado, and salmon can support a balanced maternal diet and provide essential nutrients during breastfeeding.
Can a mother’s diet cause her baby to become gassy?
Some sensitive babies may experience discomfort after their mother consumes certain foods, although not all babies respond to foods in the same way.
Why does my baby often cry after feeding?
This can be caused by various factors, including swallowed air during feeding, growth spurts, or colic.
What is the function of an anti-colic vent in a feeding bottle?
It helps allow air to flow without mixing with the milk, which can help reduce the amount of air your baby swallows during feeding.
How can I make feeding more comfortable for my baby?
Pay attention to feeding position, burp your baby after feeding, and use an appropriately designed feeding bottle with an anti-colic system.
Can a feeding bottle affect infant colic?
A well-designed feeding bottle may help reduce excessive air intake, which can contribute to digestive discomfort and colic-like symptoms.
Reference
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American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). (2022). Breastfeeding and Maternal Diet. Diakses dari https://www.healthychildren.org
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2023). Proper Storage and Preparation of Breast Milk. Diakses dari https://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding
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Mayo Clinic. (2023). Breastfeeding Nutrition: Tips for Moms. Diakses dari https://www.mayoclinic.org
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NHS UK. (2023). Colic. Diakses dari https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/colic/
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World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Infant and Young Child Feeding. Diakses dari https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/infant-and-young-child-feeding
