Scientists have shown that women with high levels of vitamin B12 in early pregnancy are three times more likely to have contented, quiet infants.
Meanwhile, those with the lowest levels are far more likely to have babies that cry for at least three hours a day.
© PASteak diet: Increasing vitamin B12 levels by eating steak, eggs and chicken during pregnancy can lead to women having quieter babies.
Doctors say the study is the first to show a link between colic and a mother's nutrition - but stress it is too early to recommend that pregnant women change their diets.
Vitamin B12 is known to play a key role in the development of the brain and nervous system in unborn babies and is also essential for healthy blood.
It is found in red meat, chicken, dairy products and fortified breakfast cereals, along with liver and shellfish - two foods that pregnant women are specifically advised to avoid.
Comment: Dairy and gluten has also been shown to harmful to people and should be avoided.
Vegetarians and vegans are particularly vulnerable to vitamin B12 deficiency - a condition that leads to anaemia, tiredness, weight loss and constipation.
But there are concerns that a large number of meat-eaters are also missing out on the vitamin in their diets.
The new research by Dutch scientists looked at levels of vitamin B12 in the blood of more than 4,000 women during the 12th week of pregnancy.
The researchers compared the results with a questionnaire filled in by the women around three months after their babies were born.
Around five per cent of the women who had the lowest levels of vitamin B12 complained that their babies cried excessively - compared to just one per cent of the mothers who had the highest levels.
© UnknownHealthy treat: A meal including steak could boost pregnant women's vitamin B12 count and reduce the chance of giving birth to a 'colicky' baby.
They found no link between folate, another nutrient essential for the healthy development of brains, and crying.
Researchers believe a lack of vitamin B12 may affect the development of nerve cells in the brain, increasing irritability in babies.
It could also interrupt the natural sleep cycle of infants, because low levels prevent the release of the sleep hormone melatonin.
But nutrition experts warned that some sources of the vitamin pose risks to pregnant women.
They are told to avoid liver, raw eggs, soft cheese and shellfish, which all contain vitamin B12.
It is funny how we tend to believe as gospel truth everything that claims to come from some expert. Remember what the experts said when they developed DDT, the miracle pesticide. ‘Just give us a few more years, we will defeat death, overthrow God and paint the sky green!’ DDT was considered a miracle pesticide and in those days—1940s— people even went to the extent of regularly breathing in minute doses of it, just to stay healthy, live longer maybe even get a shot at eternity! Fortunately or unfortunately, thalidomide( "one of the biggest medical tragedies of modern times") happened and that burst that heady chemical bubble.
For all vegeterians out there, milk and swiss cheese is a very good source of vitamin B12 and everything else that a human needs for a healthy living. Milk is a miracle food that is so generously and kindly given to us from the Cow, milk that is meant for her children. Vedic tradition treats Cows as mother and respects her for her gift of milk, and manure (used to grow healthy organic crops). Cows need to be protected because they are very simple, loving, intelligent and gentle creatures who eat grass and give us milk. And we humans consume her milk, spew out venom and slaughter her for her meat. Terrible karma that we are experiencing in the form of Earth changes!