Weaning is an exciting milestone and the chance for babies to explore lots of different tastes and textures. However some babies can experience some digestive discomfort when introducing certain foods, which can cause various symptoms. This can vary from baby to baby.
In this blog you can find out what foods are common causes of gassiness, how to help your baby if they show symptoms and when to consult a healthcare professional.
What are gassy foods?
Gassy foods for babies are those foods that contain particular sugars or fibres that the baby’s digestive system cannot manage so well and therefore can cause them some discomfort or bloating. Most babies will adjust over time and so this is unlikely to cause any long term problems.
Common symptoms of gassiness in babies
- Bloating around the tummy/ abdomen showing signs of gas
- Discomfort in their gut – displayed by baby crying, difficulty going to sleep, pulling knees to their chest or clenching their fists.
- Changes to their poo frequency: more frequent with looser stools.
- General discomfort or fussiness, particularly after a meal.
Here are 9 types of gassy foods:


- Cruciferous Vegetables & leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussel sprouts, spinach and kale. Cruciferous vegetables contain certain complex sugars (like raffinose) that babies find difficult to digest.
- Fruits high in fibre and sugar such as apples, pears, peaches and plums. These are high in fructose and sugar alcohols (sorbitol) which can cause more gas to be produced in their tummies. This is because fructose is fermented by bacteria that produces gas.
- Beans and legumes such as lentils, chickpeas, peas, blackbeans. These contain oligosaccharides that are not digested but fermented by bacteria in the gut, that causes gas to be produced.
- Dairy products such as cows milk, cheese and yoghurt. Some babies can struggle to digest the lactose found in cows’ milk. This is present in cows milk cheese, yoghurt and other dairy products too.
- Some whole grains such as oats, barley, wheat and brown rice. These foods contain lots of fibre and too much can be tricky for young children to manage and digest.
- High fodmap foods such as onions, garlic and mushrooms. FODMAPs (Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, Mono-saccharides and Polyols) are certain types of carbohydrates that can be difficult to digest, not just for babies and toddlers.
- Eggs – the protein from eggs can sometimes be difficult for babies to digest
- Spicy foods – In the early days of weaning babies may be more sensitive to spicy foods and discomfort. Such as foods with chilli or strong flavours.
- Some processed foods with artificial sweeteners or preservatives – such as the artificial sweetener sorbitol can cause gas in some babies because of their sensitive tummies.
Ones to avoid or limit?
If you’re finding that your little one is becoming very gassy after some foods, or even if your baby is quite gassy before you start weaning, you may want to limit or avoid some of the more windy foods on this list (windy veggies) initially. This might only be needed at the start of weaning as your baby is getting used to a variety of solid foods. Check out my veg led weaning blog for more information.
You don’t need to avoid any specific windy foods but you could reduce the amounts if you suspect they are causing a problem for your baby. It can be helpful to keep a note or diary at the start of weaning (I’ve included note pages in my book How to Wean Your Baby for these exact reasons) so you can keep track of any foods that appear to make your baby more windy.
Additionally it’s recommended to limit high fibre foods whilst they are little babies as too much fibre can be difficult for them to digest in the early stages of weaning. Too much fibre can also cause a lot of gas by fermenting bacteria in the gut.


Why do these foods cause gas?
The digestive system in babies – is still developing around the age of weaning and therefore they are more sensitive to certain foods.
Types of fibre, sugars and other compounds – Foods that contain certain sugars, fibres and compounds can produce more gas in their intestines making them uncomfortable and bloated.
How can I help my baby with gassiness
- Cook vegetables well – to ensure they are soft. Particularly more fibrous vegetables, it will ensure they are broken down and easier to digest.
- Reduce gassy foods if you suspect they are causing discomfort and keep an eye out for regular symptoms. Avoid too many high fibre/whole grain foods like brown rice and stick to more easily digestible foods until they are a bit older.
- Give them a tummy massage –by gently massaging their tummy or doing some bicycle legs this can help ease out the gas and any discomfort.


- Food triggers/diary – consider keeping a food diary to write down symptoms and potential triggers.
- Consult a health care professional – if you have tried the above things to help ease the gas but it is not helping, then there are some other signs to look for which would need checking out with a healthcare professional such as the Happy Tummy Dietitian.
- If they are having gas alongside vomiting, diarrhea or blood in the stools or if they are suffering for long periods of time with ongoing gas, bloating or you suspect there may be an allergy or intolerance.
Conclusion
Remember that it is common for babies to suffer with some gas at some point during the early stages of weaning. Some may tolerate these gassy foods well and others not so well.
There are lots of things you can do at home to help them ease their discomfort such as reducing certain gassy foods, giving them a tummy massage and keeping a diary. If you are concerned at all then it is worth speaking to your GP.