Major switch in diet - could this affect my milk?

[daffomere]

Hi there,
I'm hoping there's a lactation consultant or midwife out there who might be able to answer my question.
A week ago I changed my diet - for many reasons, I have stopped eating all animal products. I have a 9 week old bub who I'm nursing, and I'm wondering if this radical change in my food has affected her. Before the past week I ate a "normal" diet, high in meat, dairy, saturated fat, etc. Over the past several days, I've noticed she's been more gassy than usual - do you think this is directly correlated to the fact i'm now eating lots of beans and ruffage, etc.??

Will she get used to the "new" milk? I am worried because I have never felt better - but I want this new way of eating to be good for my daughter too, obviously.
And not to worry - I am a big eater, so I'm getting plenty of calories and fat, and have been preparing very well balanced meals. So I don't think I'm in danger of losing my supply. But I have noticed the increase in gassyness in my bub, so I wonder if it's related.
Also, she has been vomiting after feeds a lot more than usual lately. I am fairly certain she's had a little cold, and I know have a cold can make bubs more mucousy and prone to spit ups after feeds, right? When should one get concerned about post-feed vomiting? I know some spit up is normal for some babies (my son, who I breastfed for 14 months, wasn't a huge vomit-er).

Anyways, any advice would be appreciated.
thanks!

[onthefly]

Your diet won't affect your milk production. There will be some variation in the elements that end up in your milk, but not its basic constituents, so it'll be just perfect for your baby regardless.

If your baby has been sick, that is the most likely reason for any change in her behaviour, along with the usual development leaps that they go through from time to time. Hope she's feeling better soon!

[MantaRay]

As MadB says, the good news is that diet doesn't affect milk quality or supply. It is a myth that you need to have a great diet to produce enough milk - mums with very poor nutrition such as in third world countries are still able to produce enough milk for their babies. However, as I'm sure you're aware, it is important for you own health that you eat well as the baby takes the first pick of the nutrients. It's great news that you are feeling so much better with your diet changes.

Some mums find that some foods, such as cabbage, onion or chocolates seem to unsettle their babies in the early weeks but this usually doesn't last very long. Vomitting after feeds is very common - like you my first DS didn't vomit much, but DS2 was a happy chucker - throwing up after every meal for months. In most cases these things settle down within a few weeks. If it doesn't you might like to talk to a CHN to check out whether anything else is going on and/or a dietician to discuss food allergies or intolerances, but it sounds very normal at this stage.