Elimination Diet for Breastfeeding

When a baby is still experiencing regular bouts of colic---unexplained crying, flushed cheeks and fussiness---after three months of life, the cause may be more than just the trials and tribulations of babyhood. Breastfeeding mothers may experience fussy infants for longer periods because of food allergies. As everything the mother eats is passed on to the baby through her milk, the only way to discover which foods trigger the colic response is to eliminate every known allergy-causing food from the diet and slowly reintroduce each food.

Preparation

Ensure that neither the infant nor mother is detrimentally affected by the elimination diet by taking vitamins. Most breastfeeding moms are still taking a prenatal vitamin and should continue doing so when testing which foods cause adverse reactions in the baby. Speak with a physician regarding the best types of calcium, iron and fiber supplements to use during the elimination period. Always drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water a day when practicing any sort of diet to ensure ample hydration.

Elimination

It is better to start by eliminating those foods that you suspect are causing the reaction. For example, if after eating peaches you notice a change in the baby's behavior or one or more occasions, peaches would be the first food to eliminate. Common food allergens are dairy, eggs, wheat, nuts, red meat, some fruits, certain vegetables (corn is common), shellfish and soy-based products. Stop eating the suspected allergen for at least two weeks to ensure any trace amount of it has been flushed from the baby's digestive system. Alternatively, you can stop eating a few foods at the same time (if nutritionally safe to do so) to save time when reintroducing foods.

Reintroduction

Attempt to eat the eliminated food after two weeks to gauge the child's reaction. If there is no strong reaction, either move on to the next food or, if you are quite certain a particular food caused the reaction, wait a few days and try reintroducing it again. If there is still no reaction, move onto the next suspected food on your list.

Results

Record the child's moods, reactions and symptoms while following the diet. Note the usual schedule as well as any major changes. Initially, change may be slow or inconsistent. When a pattern is established and the possible allergic reaction identified, it is a good idea to try eating the food at least one more time. On that day, be sure to avoid any other possible triggers. For instance, if you ate eggs and oranges on the same day and suspect an allergy, eat eggs one day and wait three more days before eating oranges. Once the allergy has been identified, find permanent nutritional substitutes and read food labels carefully to avoid accidentally reintroducing the allergen into the baby's diet.