Breastfeeding and Tummy Aches

New babies can tell you when they need help, but they have a harder time telling you specifically what the problem is. Even when intuitive parents are able to pinpoint stomach ache as the cause of their baby's distress, it can be hard to determine what led to it. Stomach aches in breastfed babies share some common causes enabling you identify what changes will help soothe your baby's tummy aches.

Immature Immune Systems

Infants are born with an immature immune system which can cause stomach upset as it continues to develop. According to La Leche League International, breast milk helps an infant's immune system develop by providing necessary bacteria that aids in later food digestion. Breast milk is generally easier to digest which decreases gas. However, some infants still have excess gas and trouble digesting as their immune systems develop. For many of these babies, the issue resolves itself as they get older and their bodies become more adept at processing nutrients.

Forceful Let Down

Forceful let down occurs when the mother's milk comes out too quickly for the infant. The overabundance of milk can cause issues such as swallowing air which can lead to stomach ache. According to La Leche League International, stomach pain can also occur when a baby swallows too much fore milk, the more watery breast milk that flows out before the higher fat hind milk. With too much fore milk in proportion to hind milk, stomach aches can result. Common signs of forceful let down are letting go of the breast during let down, gagging, spitting or choking and excessive spitting up. Many women find that cluster feeding or expressing milk until let down slows assists in correcting this issue.

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition where digestive juices are forced into the throat as an infant eats, causing them to vomit or giving them heartburn-like symptoms. These infants may appear hungry, but cry after nursing only briefly as their stomach acids begin to irritate the inner lining of their esophagus. In a 2003 article, La Leche League leader Sharon Knorr explains that infants with this condition tend to breastfeed in short bursts or may refuse to nurse due to pain. Luckily, breastfeeding itself can be a remedy for GERD. Smaller, more frequent feedings allow the stomach to empty between nursing sessions and avoids irritating the esophogus with overflowing stomach juices.

Food Sensitivities

While most women do not have to change what they eat while breastfeeding, some infants respond to proteins in the mother's milk left over from her diet. According to a 2008 article in "Canadian Family Physicians," dairy products are the most common cause of food sensitivity in children under one year, though some children are sensitive to other foods. Food sensitivities or allergies can show up as upset stomachs, or they may have more severe allergic symptoms such as hives or breathing difficulty. A food log that tracks the things you eat before your baby shows symptoms or an elimination diet help identify which foods your child may be sensitive to.