Food Sensitivity

Food Sensitivity After Childbirth: A New Reaction to Familiar Foods

Have you noticed that after the birth of your child your body started reacting to certain foods differently than before? This can manifest as bloating, abdominal pain, skin rashes, or other uncomfortable symptoms. Increased food sensitivity, especially in mothers who are breastfeeding, is a fairly common phenomenon.

Why does sensitivity develop?

• Changes in the immune system. During pregnancy your immune system was somewhat suppressed. After delivery it "reboots", sometimes becoming overly reactive to certain proteins found in food.
• Hormonal readjustment. Changes in the hormonal profile continue to affect the whole body, including the digestive system.
• Impact on the baby (during BF). Sometimes a mother notices that after consuming certain foods (most often cow's milk, soy, eggs, nuts) the baby develops colic, a rash, or changes in stools. This may be a sign of allergy or intolerance in the infant to proteins that have entered the breast milk.

What to do? Keep a food diary

The best way to identify the "culprit" food is to keep a food diary. Record everything you eat and track your symptoms or your baby's reaction. If you suspect a particular food, try eliminating it from your diet for 1–2 weeks and see if the condition improves. This is the so‑called elimination diet.

It is important to do this carefully and not eliminate whole food groups without consulting a doctor or dietitian, because your nutrition should remain balanced. If you suspect an allergy in the baby, be sure to consult a pediatrician.