What Does It Mean If There Is Blood In My Baby’s Stool
If your baby is breastfed, blood in her stool could be a sign of a sensitivity or allergy to something in your diet. Your pediatrician may recommend that you try eliminating a potential problem food like dairy, soy, peanuts, wheat or tree nuts for two to three weeks to figure out what’s causing it.
If your baby is formula-fed, blood in her stool could indicate she’s allergic to milk in her formula . Talk to your doctor about switching formulas.
Occasionally, no correlation between foods and allergic symptoms is found. In that case, your baby might have small cracks or fissures in her anus that caused the bleeding. Another possibility: Baby may have swallowed your blood if your nipples are cracked and that blood can come out in the stool. Monitoring by your baby’s pediatrician should solve the mystery.
What To Watch Your Baby For While You’re Breastfeeding
While most babies slurp up breast milk no matter the flavor, a few have picky palates right from the start detecting and rejecting even the smallest hint of garlic or strong spices. Youll quickly tell which category fits your baby and be able to modify your diet accordingly.
Its not common and hasnt been backed up yet by science, but some moms find certain foods cause gassiness and discomfort in their babies.
Foods to avoid while breastfeeding gassy babies include cabbage, broccoli, onions, cauliflower, beans and/or Brussels sprouts. These may unsettle your little ones tummy, even in some cases causing colicky symptoms.
Some moms find that cutting out dairy and caffeine can also help reduce babys discomfort. Keep in mind that these reactions are uncommon, so dont assume that your baby will be sensitive to what you eat. Its most likely just newborn business as usual.
It takes between two and six hours from the time you eat a certain food until it affects the taste and aroma of your breast milk. So if your baby is gassy, spits up more, rejects the breast or is fussy a few hours after you eat a specific food, try eliminating it for a few days to gauge the response.
Causes Of Gas In Babies
The majority of a baby’s gas discomfort will be caused by their still-developing stomach and intestines. However, if their gas problems seem to be getting worse, there could be a number of other factors at play, including:
Swallowing while sipping – Your baby is most likely a fan of the breast or bottle. What’s the drawback? With those enormous gulps, your little one might be taking in some additional air, and extra air creates extra gas.
If you’re breastfeeding, look for evidence that your baby is properly latching on to your breast and forming a seal around your nipple .
If you cant pinpoint any other causes for your babys discomfort, it might be worthwhile to look at your diet and consider limiting potentially aggravating foods and drinks, such as:
- Coffee
- Chocolate
- Alcohol
Back is best sleep position Parenthood is magical, yes. But it can also be a little bit maddening, especially when the thing that youre told you must do is also the very thing thats causing your baby discomfort. This is so often the case with back sleeping. Though the AAP states black-sleeping is essential for your babys safety, this sleep position may also lead to trapped intestinal gas for some babies.
While your babys gas may feel stressful, it may help to remember it wont last forever. At around six to nine months of age, your babys digestive system will mature. Until then, there are steps you can take to treat their tummy and set them up for nights of back-sleeping bliss.
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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.
Signs Your Baby Has Gas And How To Treat It
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 at 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.” Here’s how to recognize the signs of a gassy baby and help them pass it.
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Note Down Your Babys Position While Burping
If youre feeding the baby while they are lying down on their back, it can lead to the air intake. This air intake can ultimately cause the baby to swallow more air and lead to gas. To avoid the possibility of gas, try feeding your baby in an upright position. You can try to feed them through nipples to better regulate the air and liquid flow for bottle-fed babies.
What Can You Do For Your Baby
It is very usual for parents to become impatient in order to provide some relief to their babies from sufferings. In regards to infant gas problems, there is no specific baby gas medicine which is appropriate for all situations. Try not to use over-the-counter drugs, since they are not intended for babies. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, you can give simethicone gas drops to your baby which will solve this gas issue.
Your baby has a chronic colic problem, you can try some formulas specialized for treating colic babies.
However, this treatment doesnt work all the time and has a mediocre effect in treating the problem. Thus, we do not recommend taking this action without consulting a pediatrician. There are many safe and effective home remedies which will certainly help your little one to provide some relief. Newborn baby gas problem home remedy treatments are discussed below in details.
Read Also: How To Help Your Newborn Pass Gas
Why Massages Help Babies With Gas
The above massages were designed for infant gas relief because they aim to get trapped air moving through the body. They can also be deeply relaxing, which makes them worthwhile even if they are not successful with preventing or resolving gas. Whatâs more, parents find that massages make them enjoy childrearing more, regardless of whether their babies are currently suffering gas, colic, or other problematic conditions.
Some studies suggest that infant massage may help to increase insulin levels or activity of the vagus nerve. This, in turn, can reduce gastric mobility and promote efficient nutrient absorption. Conflicting research exists for these effects, but experts believe that the duration of massage as a gas remedy may impact its efficacy in both studies and the general public.
Other Tips For Managing Gas
If massage doesnt seem to be working for your little one or youre looking for some additional comfort measures, there are plenty of things you can try to help manage and prevent gas:
- Bicycle your childs legs in the air while they lie on their back. This may help move gas through the system and encourage a poop if your little one is constipated.
- Gently twist babys legs and hips from side to side, which may help move things along the digestive track.
- Spend some extra time burping your baby during feeds to help air escape early in the digestive process.
- If youre bottle-feeding, check the nipple flow. If the flow is too fast, your child may be gulping air when they drink.
- Change bottle brands. Though no one brand is perfect for eliminating gas, there may be one that works better at reducing gas for your baby.
- Switch to a ready-made version of your babys powdered formula. Though if you dont note any change, you can go back to the powdered version.
Some caregivers report that over-the-counter medications like gripe water or gas drops help their babies with gas. Make sure to check with your childs doctor before going this route.
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Spitting Up Reflux And Vomiting
Most babies spit up after each feeding or while burping. Reflux is the medical term for spit up. We do not worry about spit up unless the volume is so great that babies fail to gain adequate weight, babies are having problems breathing , or unless spit up causes pain.
To reduce spit up keep the baby upright and minimize vigorous play with the baby for about 30 minutes after feeding. More frequent burping may also be helpful or necessary. When laying the baby down to sleep, have the head of the bed elevated. Elevate the head of the bed by placing something under two legs of the bed or under the mattress. Never put something on top of the mattress to elevate your newborns head, as this increases the risk for SIDS.
Babies may have forceful projectile vomiting on occasion. If your baby does this frequently or repeatedly, you should inform one of our doctors or nurse practitioners.
Why Is My Baby So Gassy
Thereâs no reason to be embarrassed by this questionâyouâre not the only parent asking! Excess infant gas can result from several different factors, especially if you notice your baby crying or screaming in pain from gas.
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Food sensitivities or allergies. Itâs not uncommon for newborns to have food sensitivities that cause infant gas. A gassy breastfed baby is more susceptible to these sensitivities, which typically come from the motherâs diet. True food allergies are less common and will most likely cause other problems, such as like hives or wheezing, so youâll want to consult your childâs healthcare provider ASAP.
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Lactose intolerance. Most experts recommend baby formula produced with cowâs milk for its nutritional value. But if you use this type of formula and your baby is lactose intolerant, you may notice more gas, loose stools, nausea, and vomiting.
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Overeating due to breast milk oversupply or breast engorgement. If youâre breastfeeding and experience breast engorgement or an oversupply of breast milk, a gassy baby may be inevitable. Your newborn may instinctively gulp milk quickly, causing more air to make its way into the tummy. Later on, this air can form gas bubbles.
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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.
What Can I Do To Help Alleviate Gas In My Breastfed Baby
Apply gentle pressure to your babyâs belly
Tummy Time: This position can put gentle pressure on your babyâs belly, helping to provide gas relief. Wait at least 30 minutes after a feeding to allow your little oneâs belly to settle before starting tummy time.7
Or try a more advanced move â use both hands and a lot of guided support to lay your baby tummy down on a large beach or exercise ball and gently roll her on the ball in a circular motion.
Forearm Hold: Also called the football hold, magic hold, and the colic carry. Try carrying your baby face down with her body resting on your forearm, the front of her diaper area in your hand and her chin cradled in your elbow.9 Make sure to tilt babyâs head to the side to avoid blocking their nose or mouth. Carrying your little one in this face-down position will place the same gentle pressure on their belly that is achieved during tummy time.
Burp your baby during and after a feeding
Take a break between sides or even during a feed to get a burp or two out.8
You may choose to burp your baby while they are in a seated position, with their head supported by the cradle of your hand.17You can also burp your baby in the typical position: upright and over your shoulder.8
Try infant massage on your babyâs tummy for gas relief
Read more: Baby massage benefits and techniques
Bicycle your babyâs legs
Read more: How Do I help My Breastfed Baby with Diarrhea and Constipation?
Do gas drops like simethicone work?
Wait it out!
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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 98,272 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 Often Do Breastfed Newborns Poop
Your newborns gastrocolic reflex, which signals for the colon to empty when the stomach stretches with food, isnt completely mature yet. As a result, their body might make room for more by passing bowel movements every time they consume milk. Many newborns poop following each nursing session, adding up to eight or 10 dirty diapers daily.
On the other hand, some breastfed newborns poop only once every few days . Both situations can be healthy. “For a breastfed baby, it can be normal to have only one bowel movement a week,” explains Nanci Pittman, M.D., a pediatric gastroenterologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. “It can also be normal to have as many as one bowel movement with each feeding.” Note that breastfed baby stools tend to be soft, seedy, and mustard-colored.
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