Old wives' tale: Truth or fiction?

Question

My MIL and her mother insist that if I eat beans or watermelon I'll produce milk that's tough for my baby to digest. Have any of you found this to be true? If so are there any other foods I should look out for?

My initial impression is that me eating beans couldn't produce milk that gives baby gas (though I may be jet powered lol), but I could be wrong.

Answer 1

What you eat can effect your baby if they are sensitive to it but gas is not passed on(sorry about that) but if your MIL and her mother insist just to have peace in the home I would follow what they say. just realize it is an old wives tale

Answer 2

no i dont think thats true the only thing t have herd was that garlic makes breast milk sweeter but basically your body just filters out the vitamins from the food you are eating  

Answer 3

Not sure about beans and water mellon, hope not because i love water mellon! I have a problem with ham and eggs. I think everyone is different.  

Answer 4

your baby will digest your breast milk just fine but anything that can cause you gas can cause baby to have gas. Beans, broccoli and other types of gassy food can give baby gas necause of the enzymes in them. Some women are advised to avoid soy, garlic, chocolate, even dairy and of course alchohol for various reasons. Almost everything we eat passes to our breast milk. Some infants are more sensitive than others to certain taste and ingredients. watermelon is mostly water. I have no idea what the deal with that one is. You really should speak with a lactation consult for truthful details. you can visit www.kellymom.org for breastfeeding info

Answer 5

Honestly, some foods supposedly do cause gas in some babies, but nothing I ate ever gave my daughter gas.  She got gas from improperly latching, and as she got older she resolved this herself and gas went away. I understand why you doubt it though.  

Answer 6

it's true

limit your intake of onions, tomatoes, anything acidic or spicy.

don't eat much cabbage either

Answer 7

To a certain extent this is true, SOME foods you eat may not necessarily Beans or water mellon, can make you babies tummy upset.

it doesn't happen in all mothers. I know that if i eat alot of peas it upsets my daughters tummmy, but this might not be your experience.

Your baby might not have a bad reaction to anything you eat, just have a play around with different foods, you'll soon work out what is good/bad

Answer 8

Eating certain foods can make your milk different, but that's not always a bad thing. Babies learn to accept tastes through breast milk and the foods you ate during pregnancy.

Beans may give your little one gas- try it and see. My sons did not like me to eat broccoli, that was difficult for them digest.

if you're really worried about it you can always keep a food journal and note how baby reacts.

My advice would be however, if you want beans eat beans. If baby starts to get gassy put him (or her?) on one arm with his head facing down and rock gently. His head should be by your elbow and one hand cupped under his bottom. This is the colic hold and it helps relieve small tummies.

As for the MIL just smile and then go with your gut- it's your baby after all! (And your gut sounds like it's craving beans and watermelon!)

Answer 9

A lot depends on your child.  My daughter was able to handle pretty much anything I ate except for chocolate.  I never noticed her having any gas or discomfort after nursing unless I had consumed something with chocolate in it.

There's a long list of things that have been known to make different babies have tummy problems...They include milk, eggs, cheese, beans, watermelon..etc..I think it's sort of a trial and error thing.

Good luck!

Answer 10

I don't think it's true at all.....I eat watermelon weekly and I've been breastfeeding for 11 months....beans are probably weekly also around here and our son has never had any problems from it...of course now he is 11 months old and he eats watermelon and beans himself now (great finger foods!)....my obgyn said I can eat anything I want while breastfeeding just be sure to keep an eye on baby and if 3 or more times he seems to have a reaction (like gas) to cut it down or out of my diet and see if it helps him. So far...I haven't found anything I can't eat. Best of luck.