How To Get A Newborn To Pass Gas

Easing Your Baby’s Gas Pain

Q. Can I alleviate my baby’s gas pain?

A. You can help prevent gas by feeding her before she cries, a signal that she’s too hungry to wait any longer to eat. When you do feed her, use a leisurely pace, because rapid feeding increases her intake of air. If you are breastfeeding and your milk is letting down briskly, you may need to remove your baby for a moment and let the spray of milk slow down so she can manage the flow. If bottlefeeding, check the nipple opening to be sure it isn’t too large or too small. Bottlefed babies usually swallow more air, especially when the bottle’s nipple isn’t full of milk.

But if, despite your efforts, your baby seems uncomfortable, gas may be the reason behind her fussiness. You can help trapped gas move by gently massaging baby’s tummy in a clockwise motion while she lies on her back. Or hold your baby securely over your arm in a facedown position, known as the “gas hold” or “colic hold.” Still no relief? Ask your pediatrician about trying the over-the-counter anti-gas medication simethicone, sold as Infants’ Mylicon Drops, which may help move gas through the intestines.

Q. How often should I burp my baby?

Trapped air can cause immediate discomfort, make a baby feel full before he has finished his feeding, or pass into the intestines, causing flatulence.

There are several good positions for burping your baby. Use the one that works best for you:

Which Foods May Contribute To Gas

Once you begin introducing solids to your bub , some foods may contribute to or cause excess gas.

Every bub will respond to certain types of food differently, however there are a few repeat offenders that commonly cause gas in babies. This is because your little ones body takes a little longer to break them down.

Some common foods which may cause baby gas include:

For some infants, frequent gas may be a sign of a food sensitivity. This is one of the reasons its important to consult your friendly GP if your little one experiences gas.

When To See Your Pediatrician

You should call your babyâs doctor when:

• Your baby has gas and diarrhea after feeding, which may indicate food allergy or intolerance.
• Your baby is losing or not gaining weight.
• Your baby seems to have severe pain and discomfort after eating, which may require a change in diet.
• Your baby is spitting up or frequently vomiting after feeds, which may indicate gastroesophageal reflux .

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Burp Partway Through A Feeding

Taking frequent burping breaks while feeding can help digestion. “Burping the bottle-fed baby at least every three to five minutes, or after every two to three ounces, will slow your baby’s gulping and reduce the amount of air they take in,” Dr. Loizides says. “If your baby is nursing, burp them when they switch breasts.”

Get To Know Windi The Gaspasser

A single-use tube thats touted as a natural reliever for constipation, colic, and other gas-related problems, Windi the Gaspasser will appeal to parents who are looking for an instant solution to their babys gas. Similar to the method of swirling a rectal thermometer to relieve gas, the Windi is a soft, hollow, pliable tube that is inserted into your babys bottom and reaches past the muscle that prevents the release of gas .

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Reducing The Need To Fart

Farting is the way the body releases swallowed air and other trapped gasses. The positions listed above may help relieve gas temporarily, but many people also look for ways to reduce the need to pass gas.

While it may be impossible to make farts disappear completely, there are some ways to reduce the number of times a person has to pass gas each day.

Many foods increase the amount of gas that results from the digestion of food. Beans are well-known culprits, but these pulses contain many nutrients so should still be included in a healthful diet.

Soaking beans before cooking them may help reduce flatulence in some people, while others may want to limit the quantity of beans they eat.

Cutting down on other foods that cause gas may help as well. This includes foods high in sulfur or certain fermentable carbs and fibers, such as:

• carbonated drinks

Dairy foods, including cheese and ice cream, may also cause gas, especially for people who are sensitive to lactose.

Another important tip is to chew all food slowly and with a closed mouth. A lot of trapped gas is swallowed air, which is more likely to happen if a person eats quickly or with their mouth open.

Surefire Ways To Soothe A Gassy Baby

As a new mom, one of the things that surprised me about my babies was how gassy they were. My sweet, little cherubs would toot and grunt and pass gas a lot. At times, it was hard not to laugh. How can such a little baby make such a big noise! The truth is babies pass gas 13-21 times a day, so its totally normal.

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Burping Position And Frequency

Try burping your baby in a more upright position, especially if your baby wonât burp easily.

Burping during feeds, not just at the end, may also be helpful. If they turn their head, are latching and unlatching repeatedly, or if they turn away early on in a feeding, gas may be the problem. A gentle burp along the way during feeding may be just the help they need to relieve gas buildup.

How Often Do Babies Need To Burp And What’s The Best Way To Eliminate The Excess Gas Our Baby Burping Primer Answers All Of Your Burning Questions

When gas bubbles get stuck in your baby’s stomach, they can cause a feeling of fullness and discomfort. Burping helps release these gas bubbles up the esophagus and out of the mouth. “Gas is air that gets trapped in the gastrointestinal system and needs to be released,” explains Shalini Forbis, M.D., a pediatrician and a Dr. Mom Squad blogger for Dayton Children’s Hospital in Ohio.

Looking for the best way to get the job done? Check out our expert-approved guide to learn how to burp a baby properly.

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How To Help Relieve Gas In Babies

This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD. Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 130,339 times.

Gas pain is a very common in babies and it can cause your babyand youdiscomfort.XResearch source Gas is often caused by swallowing air when crying or feeding or from the digestion process.XResearch source Even though gas can cause pain for your baby, it is generally harmless. By promoting the release of gas and preventing it, you can help relieve your babys gas.

How To Treat Gas In Babies And Toddlers

There are a variety of treatment options for gas-related pain and discomfort, though what is safe and appropriate will be dependent on your child’s age. While determining the underlying cause and preventing gas is the best bet, there are things you can do to help your child when they experience gas pain. Home remedies and over-the-counter medications are often very effective at improving gas-related symptoms.

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Your Baby Could Be Constipated

Constipation and gassiness often go hand in hand. Most of the time, it is normal for a baby to go 2-3 days without a bowel movement.

Some babies naturally have slower digestive systems leading them not to poop as often. However, constipation is not just about how often your baby poops.

If your baby appears to be in pain while pooping, has a tougher time pooping, or has harder stools than usual, then be sure to call your babies physician. However, if they go 5-10 days without pooping and then have a soft, easy-to-pass poop, then they are probably doing just fine.

To be on the safe side, if your baby has gone longer than one week without pooping, be sure to consult with your doctor.

Check Your Babys Latch

If your baby isnt latching well, they may be swallowing more air. A painful latch to the breast or a clicking type sound while your baby feeds may indicate their latch needs help.

Many latching issues on the breast can be remedied with some minor adjustments or with a lactation consultant who can help with proper technique and positioning. If there is a poor latch, you can also have your baby evaluated to see if they have a tongue-tie as this can affect nursing and bottle feeds as well, Boone said.

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What Is The Difference Between Gas Drops And Gripe Water

Gripe water offers a combination of homeopathic ingredients like fennel and ginger. It soothes tummy troubles with its herbal ingredients and can also help babies pass gas. However, if gas is the main culprit of your newborns discomfort, gas drops with simethicone may be more effective for bloat relief. Ask your pediatrician if youre unsure which treatment to try.

How To Help Relieve Gas

As a parent, its never pleasant to see your little one feeling uncomfortable. Once youve taken your bub to see a doctor and theyve ruled out any underlying causes, you may like to try the following tips to help provide your baby with some relief:

• Gentle massage: massage your babys tummy by pumping their legs back and forth while they lay on their back, as though theyre riding a bicycle.
• A warm bath: may also help settle discomfort caused by gas as your little one is relaxed and the warm water may help their gastrointestinal tract operate more effectively.
• Gently rub their tummy: in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction. You can gauge how much pressure to apply by watching your little ones reaction to the feeling.
• Burping your baby: to help expel excess gas. Softly patting their back in a position that is comfortable and in which their face is uncovered .

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How To Get Rid Of Baby Gas

A newborn or baby having gas isnt something to worry about in itself. Gas is simply part of life, from day one. But a baby whos showing discomfort because of gas is asking for some help from their caretakers.

Some babies will be able to pass their gas without much intervention, if any at all. Others need a little help, Dr. Sniderman says.

She suggests a few ways to relieve gas in babies.

Toddlers And Older Children

Avoiding gassy foods is usually the best treatment for children with excessive gas. If gas does bother them, however, simethicone is available for kids in several forms, including Gas-X and Mylanta Gas Relief.

Beano, available as drops or a chewable tablet, is a digestive enzyme that helps make many high-fiber foods, including beans, broccoli, and whole-grain bread, easier to digest. And if your child is lactose intolerant, instead of avoiding cow’s milk and other dairy products, it may help if they take a lactase enzyme tablet to help them digest the lactase in milk.

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Adjust Your Bottle Technique

Bottle-fed babies can ingest a lot of bubbles. To combat this, tilt the bottle at an angle that fills the entire nipple with milk. “Otherwise your baby will suck in air,” Dr. Shu says. “More swallowed air means potentially more gas.”

If you use powdered formula, let the bottle settle first before giving it to your baby. Shaking and mixing often causes the bottle to be piled high with bubbles on top of the actual formula. You may also consider using a ready-made formula for gassy babies, as well as specially vented bottles that may reduce the number of bubbles.

Swap Bottles For Gassy Babies

Some bottles are specifically designed to reduce the amount of air that is swallowed during feedings. If your baby is having problems with gas, try a vented, angled, or collapsible style. Make sure to hold babys head elevated at a 45-degree angle and tip the bottle downward into their mouth with the nipple full of milk, not air.

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Will My Baby Outgrow Their Gas Pains

Once your baby’s digestive system develops, they may have much less gas. This is likely to happen after the first few months of life, say by the time they’re 4 to 6 months old.

Of course, once your baby starts eating solid foods â also usually between 4 and 6 months â it’s possible for them to have a reaction to certain foods. Your baby may experience temporary constipation, for example, or a gassy tummy after eating certain gas-inducing vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower.

Common Latching Problems And Solutions

Having trouble breastfeeding? Here’s how to fix a couple of the most common latching problems:

• Poor positioning. Don’t hunch over your baby and push your breast into her mouth. Instead, try bringing your baby to you.
• Baby’s body is out of line. Make sure your babys head and body are facing you, so she can focus squarely on the task at hand.
• Baby’s body is too far away. Mealtime is impossible if your nipple is out of reach.
• An empty breast. Your baby may not latch because little or nothing comes out when she sucks.
• Flat or inverted nipples. It can be more difficult, but not impossible, for a baby to latch on.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Breastfeeding And Gassy Babies

Breastmilk is made from what passes into moms blood, not what is in her stomach or digestive track. Below are a few common questions that moms have about breastfeeding and gassy babies.

Can drinking carbonated sodas cause gas in baby? No. For something to pass into your milk, it must first pass into your bloodstream. Its the carbonation in sodas, etc. that can cause gas in mom. The bubbles in a carbonated drink cannot pass into your milk and affect baby. If this could happen, youd have carbonated blood and carbonated milk!

If mom is gassy, can that make baby gassy? No. Gas in moms body cannot pass into breastmilk.

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What If Baby Still Seems Gassy

If you still cant pinpoint why babys so gassy, and youve tried other methods to help relieve gas, talk to a doctor. Theyll help you figure out whats causing babys discomfort. They may also recommend gas drops, which are generally safe for babies

One reassuring point to keep in mind: Babies are usually gassiest when theyre between 1 month old and 4-6 months old. If baby is gassy while breastfeeding or formula feeding, theyll often naturally become less gassy as they start to eat more and more solids, and as their digestive system matures.

This still varies from baby to baby, so you still might need to consult a doctor if baby remains very gassy between the 6-month mark. But time will often help when it comes to gas relief.

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All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

See the FDA Peanut Allergy Qualified Health Claim at the bottom of our homepage.

All health-related content on this website is for informational purposes only and does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your own pediatrician in connection with any questions regarding your babys health.

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Choose The Right Bottle

Hold the bottle so that the milk or formula completely fills the nipple to reduce excess air. Also, “try switching to a bottle that limits how much air the baby gets, like a Dr. Brown’s bottle,” Dr. Alt says.

You might also consider switching out the bottler nipple for one with a slower flow. If the flow of the milk from the bottle nipple is too fast, your baby may be forced to gulp and take in excess air while feeding.

Baby Gas Prevention And Treatment

Baby gas is normal, but may be a nuisance if your baby is uncomfortable. Babies get gas because their intestines less mature and arent used to feeding. In addition, babies may swallow excess air while feeding or crying.

How can you tell if your baby has gas? All babies get gas. Babies pass gas frequently and this is normal. It may be very obviousyou notice bloating, flatulence, and fussiness. If your baby fusses, turns red, or cries for several seconds with gas, this is not terribly worrisome. If your baby cries excessively and is very gassy, this may indicate a different problem, such as gastroesophageal reflux or an infection. If this happens to your baby, consult your doctor immediately.

How to Keep Gas Away and Make Your Baby Comfortable

Feed your baby at a 45 degree angle. In other words, dont have your babys head low while feeding. Keeping your babys head at an inclined angle helps aid digestion and reduces gas.

Try smaller, more frequent feedings. If your baby is bottle-feeding , try giving him a smaller quantity on a more frequent basis. Smaller more frequent feeds help reduce spitting up and large quantity feeding, which can both cause of gas.

Breast milk helps improve intestinal immunity and reduce gas. Work to ensure that your baby latches for at least fifteen to twenty minutes at each feed. By latching longer, he will get the thicker hind milk, which reduces spitting up and, subsequently, gas.

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Gas

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