Keep Baby At An Angle While Feeding
If you leave your baby at a slight angle instead of lying flat, theyll be less likely to swallow air. While youre at it, make sure theres a good seal between your babys mouth and the nipple, and that the neck and the bottle nipple are always filled with milk. The idea here is to keep as much air out of the top of the bottle as possible.
Monitor Your Diet Or Change Formula
If youre strictly breastfeeding your baby, your diet can make a difference in how your baby digests milk. If you notice they are uncomfortable after being breastfed, they could be sensitive to the foods youre eating.
Monitor your diet to see if certain foods tend to cause your baby more discomfort and then avoid them, Boone said. Common foods that can cause gas include beans, broccoli, cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
Your baby may do well on a standard formula, but some may have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance. Some babies do best with a low lactose formula like Similac Sensitive or Enfamil Gentlease and other do best with a formula containing probiotics such as Gerber Good Start Soothe or Gentle, Boone said.
Check with your babys provider first to address the gassiness and help you successfully make the switch.
How Does A Babys Diet Affect Gas
Breast milk is the biological standard of food for babies, and it is usually the healthiest choice when possible. There is no need to stop breastfeeding because a baby has gas.
Infant formula may also cause gas. Mixing up infant formula can cause air bubbles to appear in a babys food, increasing the risk of gas. Try a premixed liquid formula instead, or give the formula a few minutes to settle before feeding the baby.
Some babies may be sensitive to formula ingredients, such as soy or lactose. However, lactose intolerance is very rare in infants and is often temporary. Babies born prematurely may have developmental lactase deficiency, a condition that lasts for only a short time.
A 2015 study of almost 300 infants found that lactose-free milk-based or soy-based formulas did not alleviate infants fussiness or crying.
A person should talk with a pediatrician before changing their babys formula.
When a baby starts eating solids, keeping a food log can help with identifying food sensitivities that trigger gas.
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Avoid Distractions During Feeding
Keeping your baby focused during feedings can help prevent tummy troubles, Dr. Loizides says. Avoid interruptions, sudden noises, bright lights, and other distractions, and make each feeding calm, quiet, and leisurely.
Creating a routine of feeding times can help keep your baby focused on nursing. Some studies suggest that babies fed on a routine measure more favorably on wellbeing scores.
How To Tell If Baby Has Gas
Gas and related issues can start from when baby is a few weeks old all the way up through the toddler stage. But baby gas tends to be the worst when baby is 4 to 12 weeks old, with a peak around 8 weeks old, OConnor says. They tend to have a lot of trouble with digestion. But once they hit the three-month mark, most babies are able to get through it and find other problems to distract themselves with.
Of course, it can be hard to know if baby gas is the cause of your childs discomfort, especially when they cant tell you whats going on. But there are a few common signs of a gassy baby you can look out for:
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Pulling legs up toward the tummy
The way to know for sure that baby gas is to blame is when baby actually burps or farts. If you get a few burps out of baby or do something else to move things along, most babies are relieved of the symptoms and will stop crying, OConnor says.
Sometimes, however, these gassy baby symptoms can indicate another problem. OConnor says, When baby keeps crying despite passing gas, you know that theres something else going on, like reflux, constipation or colic, which is sometimes confused for extended gassiness in baby.
If your child isnt gaining weight and seems to have the telltale signs of a gassy baby, contact your doctor so they can perform a complete medical evaluation to rule out other possible issues, such as a dairy intolerance.
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What Should I Know About Gas In Breastfed Babies
- Know that most babies have gas
- Understand the many causes and symptoms of gas in breastfed babies
- Learn tips and tricks to help prevent and relieve gas in your baby
One of the most common concerns parents have is their babyâs gas. While gas is usually not harmful, the pressure that gas bubbles create may cause pain when it becomes trapped in your babyâs stomach or intestines.1
Gas is particularly common during the first 3 months of life when your little oneâs digestive tract is still maturing.2 You may even notice itâs worse at night.3 Most of the time, gas is from swallowing too much air, but there may be other reasons your little one is gassy.
Read on to learn how to help your baby with gas.
Common causes of gas discomfort in breastfed babies:
- An incorrect latch while nursing leads your baby to swallow too much air3
- Excessive crying fills your babyâs belly with air1
- Strong let-down or oversupply, causing baby to gulp quickly and swallow air3
- Immature digestive tract is still learning to process breastmilk, gas, and stool effectively2
- Sensitivity or allergy to a food in momâs diet1, 3, 4
- Introduction to a bottle or to formula. Baby may swallow air while drinking from a bottle or may need to get used to formulaâs ingredients.3, 7
Common symptoms of gas in breastfed babies:
Signs Your Baby Has Gas Pains
Despite the discomfort theyre feeling, a gassy baby cant tell you the location or nature of their problem. In order to find an effective method of baby gas relief, youll need to carefully observe the signs and symptoms of a gassy baby:
- Burping: if your child is frequently burping, then too much air is being swallowed when theyre crying or feeding.
- Spitting up: failing to burp them often enough can cause your baby to spit up and become cranky. The majority of infants spit up, especially after gulping down too much air at mealtime. It may also be due to gas buildup, overfeeding, or eating too quickly.
- Bloating: bloating tends to occur when air gets trapped in their belly, acting like a wine cork in the intestines. It curbs the flow of gastric juices, and an immature digestive system is unable to cope with the associated pain and cramping.
- Flatulence: excessive flatulence is another indicator that your gassy babys GI tract is still struggling to fully process the food theyve eaten.
- Restlessness: is your little one having difficulty sleeping? Restlessness usually points to gassiness and is a direct result of the aforementioned symptoms.
- Fussiness: crying and general fussiness are your childs way of communicating their needs and wants with you. They may be tired, hungry, gassy, uncomfortable, or in pain.
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How To Prepare For Your Pediatrician Appointment
Some degree of infant gas is to be expectedin fact, a happy, gassy baby is perfectly normal. But if youve implemented the tips above and are worried, or if you think your little one is in pain, call your pediatrician for an appointment.
Follow these tips below before you meet with the pediatrician. Also, when you book the appointment, ask your pediatrician if there is anything additional or specific you should do in preparation for the visit.
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Foods That Make Breastfed Babies Gassy
Though a babys gas is not commonly linked to moms diet, there are certain gas-inducing foods that could give both a breastfeeding mom and her baby gas. These include:
- Fiber. Foods like bran, beans, and whole grains.
- Fruit. Citrus fruits, prunes, plums, peaches, or apricots.
- Vegetables. Broccoli, cabbage, and Brussel sprouts.
- Garlic. Garlic-seasoned foods like pasta dishes or garlic bread.
- Dairy. Yogurt, ice cream, or milk products.
- Carbonated beverages. If they make you burp, they could make your baby gassy too.
Its not necessary to give up all your favorite foods when pregnant and/or breastfeeding. Health experts recommend only making dietary changes if you see a direct connection between something youve eaten and your baby’s gassiness.
Additionally, if youre still breastfeeding after your little one begins solids or finger foods, its easier to detect what food might be the culprit and then eliminate it.
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Q: Does Dream Feeding Cause Gas At Night For A Baby
You may find that your baby feeds more calmly during a dreamfeed as they are only partially awake. This may result in less air intake. However, if your baby has latch or seal issues, they may still swallow air. You can still burp after a dreamfeed! Try to keep them upright and spend a few minutes bringing up any air before placing them back down to sleep.
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.
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Gas Medicine For Babies
Gas medicine is another option for your gassy baby. Theres no real harm in turning to medication first, but it certainly does have a few drawbacks.
Cost and convenience are real factors as a new mama, so dont feel bad if you save meds as a last resort. Here are a couple of my favorite options for gas medicine for babies.
Foods That Cause Gas In Breastfed Babies
Unfortunately, theres not just one answer to this question since it varies with each child. If youre trying to narrow down a potential food thats causing gas in your breastfed baby, pay attention to the following:
- Food that a family member is allergic to
- A food that you recently ate a LOT of
Its SO hard to know for sure whether your little one is dealing with baby gas pain due to the food YOU ate or something else.
Open communication with a pediatrician you trust is the best thing you can do for you and your baby if this is something youre suspicious of.
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What Causes Gas In Babies
Starting with the first feeding, babies shift from obtaining nutrients from the placenta to drinking and digesting breast milk or formula. Thatâs a big adjustment for a small digestive system thatâs still developing, and itâs a chief reason that gas naturally occurs in infants. Overall, it takes time for your little oneâs gastrointestinal tract to fully develop and build a microbiome . And when an immature digestive system is challenged by too much air being swallowed, as often happens during a feeding, youâre even more likely to have a gassy baby.
How To Get Baby To Latch Step By Step
Heres a guide to helping your baby latch on and get the nourishment and comfort she needs:
- Once your baby is in a good breastfeeding position, hold your breast with your free hand.
- Place your thumb above your nipple and areola at the spot where your babys nose will touch your breast. Your index finger should be in the spot where your babys chin will touch the breast.
- Lightly compress your breast, giving it a shape more closely resembling your babys mouth.
- Bringing your baby to your breast, stroke her cheek to allow the rooting reflex to kick in, and turn her mouth toward your breast then tickle her lips with your nipple until her mouth is open wide .
- Quickly bring her to the breast , allowing her to take your nipple and areola into her mouth. She wont get the entire areola in her mouth, especially if yours is large, and thats okay as long as she grabs onto a good part of it.
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Too Much Milk Too Fast
If youre one of the mamas who has an oversupply of milk or a forceful letdown, your baby may be getting too much milk too fast.
Dont worry its totally okay if you arent sure whether forceful letdown is a thing for you breastfeeding doesnt come with a manual and nobody expects you to know #allthethings .
The following are some signs that youll see if your milk is a little too overactive for your new little one.
- Baby suffers from gagging or choking
- Continually pulling away from the breast
- Biting down on your nipple to slow milk during the let-down period
- Dislikes comfort nursing or spits up frequently
Burp During And After Feedings
Because gas bubbles tend to form from air that sneaks in during feeding, burping is your friend. It releases the air that can turn into gas bubbles in the tummy. Although itâs standard practice to burp your baby after feeding them, if they suffer from gas, you can try burping during feeding as well. This can help provide your baby some gas relief, especially at night when feeding before bed.
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Check Your Diet If You’re Breastfeeding
If you’re breastfeeding, talk to your pediatrician about whether you should try cutting out foods that could potentially cause gas in your baby. Some that may cause baby gas include dairy products, caffeine, onions, garlic, spicy foods and cabbage, but some babies aren’t bothered by any of these.Trusted SourceAmerican Academy of PediatricsColic Relief Tips for ParentsSee All Sources
Best Sleeping Positions For Gassy Babies
Filed under:baby, baby sleep, crying baby, first baby, gas, gassy baby, new baby, new born, new mom, new parent, parenting tips, sleeping baby, trapped wind, tummy time, wind
Gas problems are typical in babies whose digestive systems are still developing. If your new born is having difficulties sleeping due to gas pains, you may be wondering if there are any unique sleeping positions that can help calm or prevent a disturbed stomach.
So, what’s the best way to put a gassy baby to sleep? All babies should be placed to sleep on their backs until they reach one year old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics , as this is the safest sleeping position. That said, there are steps you can take to get ahead of your little ones gas troubles, so theyll sleep soundly through the night. Find out more below.
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Babies Are Naturally Gassy But You Can Take Preventive Measures To Keep Your Little One Comfortable Here Experts Share What To Do For A Gassy Baby
New parents are often surprised by the big noises that come out of a small baby. Newborns can be quite the audible orchestra, and gas is often part of the repertoire. “Gas is a normal part of the digestive process, but it’s also involved in most intestinal complaints,” says Jeremiah Levine, M.D., director of pediatric gastroenterology at NYU Langone Health. “Too much gas is usually a symptom that something else is going on.” So what causes baby gas and what are the signs of a gassy baby?
Learn more about what causes babies to be gassy, how to know whether your baby’s gas is normal or a cause for concern, and how to help your little one cope with gas-related discomfort.
Does A Mom Need To Watch Everything She Eats To Avoid Having A Gassy Baby
The idea that certain foods in any moms diet will cause gas in her baby is incredibly persistent but is not founded in research. If certain foods in moms diets were an overall problem for most babies, we would expect that cultures that emphasize those foods would have more gassy and fussy babies, but this does not occur at all.
This is not to say that certain foods would not bother a particular baby this does happen occasionally . However, there is no list of foods that every mom should avoid while breastfeeding. In fact, most babies are fine with any food that mom eats, so there is no reason to avoid a food unless you notice an obvious reaction in your baby every time you eat a particular food.
Most babies are gassy from time to time, some more than others. Gassiness is often worse at night. This is due, on the most part, to babys immature digestive system and has nothing to do with what mom does or eats. Because so many people promote the idea that food in moms diet causes gas, many a breastfeeding mom will immediately assume it is due to something she has eaten if her baby is gassy.
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