Breastfed Baby Gas Smells Like Rotten Eggs: 3 Solutions to Follow

Why breastfed baby gas smells like rotten eggs is a top-searched query by many parents. Why?

Many parents, especially new parents, believe that babies are supposed to smell like sunshine, rainbows, and great things.

However, that doesn’t always happen, and it can be a bit frustrating when your breastfed baby gas smells like rotten eggs.

Also, akin to adults, infants and toddlers can have various-smelling gas patterns due to their diet or what mom has eaten and passed along when breastfeeding.

So what could be causing your breastfed baby to have pungent emissions, and is there anything you can do to stop this?

Here’s what you need to know about your little one’s digestive health and gassiness. 

Breastfed Baby Gas Smells Like Rotten Eggs

Farting is an entirely normal thing for your baby to do.

When it starts smelling like rotten eggs, it can be an indicator of something much bigger.

The main culprit for this is your baby’s digestive system, which may not be developed enough to break down breast milk properly.

It can happen when your baby cannot correctly absorb lactose in their body.

A rotten egg’s gas smell can also be an indicator of an infection, especially when you cannot determine if something else could be causing it.

This stomach infection is known as infant gastroenteritis and needs to be monitored carefully by you and your baby’s doctor.

Some of the symptoms you can look out for include vomiting, change of feeding and stool patterns, and a very high temperature sometimes.

Your baby may also start letting out smelly gas once you introduce them to solid foods.

That’s because their digestive system may be taking time to breakdown the foods during digestion.

When passing gas, it is important to make sure they are as comfortable as possible, as it can be painful sometimes.

You can make it easier for them by ensuring that they are in the right feeding position to go down smoothly, which aids digestion.

Make sure to remember to burp them afterwards to release any trapped air before it becomes a problem.

Learn more in a related post: Babies Poop Smells Like Vinegar – 3 Simple Solutions

How to prevent gas that smells like rotten eggs

There are a number of things you can try to prevent gas that smells like rotten eggs.

The most important thing to do is keep track of all the food that you eat and also the times you feed your baby as there is often a link between something you have eaten and your baby’s smelly gas. 

You’re probably used to how your baby’s farts smell by now, and you know what’s ‘normal’ or not.

For breastfed babies, some of the ways that you can ensure that they don’t let out smelly gas include:

1. Watching your diet because whatever you eat will be transferred to your baby through breast milk.

Try to stay away from smelly foods or complex foods that release lots of gasses when digested.

You can also keep a food diary so that you can find a pattern of when your baby’s gas is smelly and what you’ve eaten that day.

It will help you know what you need to eliminate from your diet so that your baby gets better.

2. Your baby’s system may find it difficult to digest lactose, so try to stay away from dairy products for a while.

Cow milk proteins are quite difficult for your baby to digest, especially when they are younger, and this could be the source of all the smelly gas.

3. The smell of your baby’s gas also depends highly on what you’re feeding them.

Some vegetables, like broccoli and cereals, like beans, have high sulfur compounds.

These contribute to the smelly gas the baby passes.

Other foods include red meat, and these high protein foods could be why your baby gas smells like rotten eggs.

You can change their diet while also ensuring that they still get all the nutrients they need.

A doctor can help you to come up with alternatives that work long term.

Breastfeeding is supposed to be relaxing, simple, and beneficial for your baby.

However, when breastfed baby gas smells like rotten eggs, it’s time to take a pause and figure out what’s wrong.

While there may be several reasons why this is happening, they can all be taken care of overtime once you know what you’re doing.

Related: Babys breath smells like sour milk

Related: Breastfeeding and body odor

Frequently Asked Questions

What Should I Avoid Eating When Breastfeeding?

New mothers should eat a balanced, varied diet. What mothers eat has a significant impact on the composition of breast milk babies under 6 months rely on.

The list of foods breastfeeding mothers should avoid is long. Instead, they should eat healthy food while paying attention to cues from their bodies and their infants.

All in all, limit consumption of foods rich in mercury, especially seafood.

Excessive consumption of mercury can have adverse effects on your little one’s central nervous system.

Herbal supplements and highly processed foods may not have the essential nutrients your baby needs.

When you consume lots of coffee, your baby will likely get a tiny dose of caffeine through your breastmilk which may affect their sleep patterns.

Chocolate, sodas, and energy drinks have caffeine levels, and are no exception either.

Excessive and frequent consumption of alcohol can lessen milk production or have long-term effects on the baby.

How Can I Increase My Milk Supply Quickly?

There are a couple of things you can do to increase breast milk production.

Particular research suggests that some foods and healthy remedies can increase your milk supply.

Foods and herbs with galactagogues, such as oatmeal, fenugreek seed, and goat’s rue, may support higher milk production.

Herbs such as garlic, ginger, fenugreek, and alfalfa may also increase breast milk production.

However, consult with your healthcare provider before consuming any of these herbs or any supplements.

You can increase milk supply by implementing the following healthy remedies:

• Pump milk after breastfeeding your baby. Pumping milk from both breasts simultaneously can increase milk supply as well as fat content in the milk.  
• Breastfeed frequently, 8 to 12 times a day, can establish and maintain milk production.
• Breastfeeding from both sides.
• Massage your breast before pumping and after pumping.

Can excessive gas be a sign of something serious?

Some people pass gas more than ten times a day and consider it normal.

Passing out excessive gas may not be a sign of a severe illness, but it may signal an underlying medical issue or abnormality with the digestive system.

However, if there are extreme signs such as blood in the poop, weight loss, or abdominal pain, it’s essential to seek medical care. 

What you may presume to be excess gas may somewhat be an ordinary amount.

Keeping a tab of the meals and diet could help identify the source of the problem as one of the many gas-producing foods.

What Is The Best Position To Breastfeed An Infant?

There is no best way to hold and feed your baby, and you have to go through some trial and error before discovering the breastfeeding position that works best for you and the baby.

The following breastfeeding positions can be helpful as you find out what will work out for you:

• Cradle Hold- Your baby’s head rests in the bend of your elbow of the arm on the side they will have latched on. The baby’s body should lie against your tummy. It’s a popular position but may be difficult with a newborn.
• The side-lying position is practical and perfect when you are breastfeeding in the middle of the night. Both mother and baby should lie on your side, next to each other, tummy to tummy.
• Laid-back position, also known as biological nurturing, is most moms preferred and first try. Lean back on a bed or couch, your baby tummy to tummy onto your body with the head near your breast. Most babies will instinctively latch on one of your breasts. This position is ideal for newborns and mothers with small breasts and babies with excess gas. 

There are many breastfeeding positions but ensure you and the baby are comfortable, and your baby latches properly.