Exploring the role of FODMAPs in the diet of breastfeeding mothers in alleviating symptoms of colic in breastfed infants

Infant colic affects up to 30% of babies worldwide and causes inconsolable and unsettled infant crying episodes. In breastfed infants, breastfeeding mothers commonly change their diet for a more settled baby – an ‘age-old’ practice. This work investigated a change in breastfeeding mother’s usual diet and found that reducing intake of foods containing indigestible and poorly absorbed carbohydrates improved symptoms of colic in their breastfed infant. This work also provides strong evidence that changes to a breastfeeding mothers diet can alleviate symptoms of infant colic – a strategy that could be implemented into future clinical practice.