My next tip to Help Your Baby “Sleep Like a Baby” is to be careful what your baby eats. Whether you nurse, use formula, or do a combination of the two, feeding a newborn can be stressful.
Are they getting enough? Are they crying because they are still hungry? Is the breast milk or formula upsetting their tummy?
Every single baby is unique in their own way.
I always suggest consulting your Pediatrician with any concerns.
If you’re nursing, you may find that some foods you eat don’t agree with your baby. A baby with an upset or gassy tummy usually is very uncomfortable and unable to sleep well.
For this reason, I recommend that moms keep a bland diet 48 hours before your photo shoot and that you eat comfort foods, such as bread, potatoes and whole grains to keep your baby comfortable.
(If you are using formula, try not to change which formula you are using during this time, as long as your baby is happy and your doctor hasn’t told you to change.)
After your session, you are welcome to choose any diet you wish; however, there are certain foods and drinks that can lead to gas in newborns.
Below is a list of common foods suggested to avoid while nursing newborns. This list was written by a Pediatrician and given to me while I was pregnant with my first baby.
These foods typically affect babies under 6 weeks. As they get older, reintroduce foods one at a time to see how they are accepted. Please use this list at your own discretion and consult your doctor as needed.
Breastfeeding Food Guide
Avoid Acidic Foods and Drinks such as:
- Cranberries
- Pineapple
- Grapefruit
- Oranges
- Lemons
- Strawberries
- All berries
- Tomatoes and tomato products
- Chocolate (rarely affects babies)
- Peanuts-nuts in general
- Pizza
- Spaghetti
- Chilli
- Tacos/Spicy/Mexican Foods/Salsa
- Ketchup
Avoid Gassy Vegetables such as:
- Asparagus
- Onions
- Garlic
- Cucumbers/pickles
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Brussels Sprouts
- Cabbage
Restrict Drinks such as:
- Soda (particularly caffeinated)
- Coffee
- Tea
- Wine & Beer
Check with your Doctor to see if Dairy is an issue.
Too much pepper can irritate your baby’s stomach too, so that’s why I suggest you avoid chicken in your take-out orders and stick to bland beef if you’re having restaurant food.
Getting your baby on the right formula and identifying foods that don’t agree with your baby may take a little bit of time. Once you figure it out, you and your baby will be happier.
I wrote a whole article on 5 Take-Out Places in Huntsville that are Good for the Anti-Colic Diet, since I know cooking your own meals or having a friend cook for you is not always an option during the haze of the newborn days.
(It is very important to understand that I believe in baby led newborn sessions, which means that I never force or deny a feeding. Newborns should be fed before the session starts, but if your baby is hungry, there is plenty of time to stop and feed them. Sometimes babies get extra hungry during their session, and I want you to take care of your baby.)
