Gas From Food.
Have you ever wondered why sometimes your child has problems with wind?
Like with most parents, I’m sure you would have at one point experienced
problems with wind in your child, and would know that it causes a lot of
discomfort, making it difficult to settle or sleep properly. The reason for your
child’s discomfort is due to an accumulation of gas/ wind in their body.
How does gas// wind occur?
Every piece of food that is consumed must be broken down into smaller
particles in order to be digested by the human body. These small
components will then be turned into energy which is supplied to every
part of the human body to function properly. It is essential that our body
receives sufficient energy to power the individual limbs and organs to work effectively.
However there are certain foods that our body is unable to process properly. This is due to the fact that some people do not have the necessary enzymes to break these foods down. For example; insufficient ‘Lactase’ (enzyme that breaks down Lactose), will result in accumulation of wind in the body.
Foods which are unable to be processed by the body travels to our colon where there are lots of bacteria. In a process called, Fermentation foods in the colon are broken down by the bacteria present. This process also results in the accumulation of gas.
Foods that can give you wind
The following are some foods which can result in wind:-
a. Milk and dairy products
b. Carbonated drinks
c. Apricots, Apples and Bananas
d. Celery, Carrot, Corn and Broccoli
e. Potatoes & pasta (any foods that contain starch)
However, different people have different reactions to the foods mentioned above. It’s also important to note that chewing gum and smoking also contribute to the production and accumulation of gas in our body.
How to overcome wind
a. Make sure to burp your child after they’ve had their milk
b. When your child cries and is fretful, don’t always carry them
c. Practice proper breastfeeding techniques
d. Ensure that your child is feeding on the appropriate teat size for his/ her age
If all else fails and your child is bloated due to wind and is also vomiting and has a fever, you should immediately seek medical advice from a doctor.
Reference:-
Ministry of Health, Malaysia
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