How To Release Gas In A Newborn

Relieve Baby Gas Fast Home Remedies

How To Relieve Gas and Colic In Babies and Infants Instantly

Many newborns, particularly between the ages of 1-4 months, suffer from gas. The taking in of air while feeding, allergies to food given, and/or improper burping practices may all cause the baby to be gassy and irritable.

Following these simple methods can help relieve the babys gas:

  • A warm bath and compress work as the best natural remedy for colicky babies and offers respite from gas. Soak a towel in warm water, squeeze it, and gently rub the babys tummy with it. Warm water will soothe the cramps and make the baby feel better.
  • Gently massaging touch can be calming and relaxing, but even more importantly, the pressure on your babys tummy can help encourage gas bubbles to come out. You can also try the colic hold to help relieve pressure in a gassy baby. To do this hold, you can hold your baby across your lap so that his tummy lays on your legs.
  • Simply putting the baby in the tummy first position for about 2 minutes can also help relieve the gases due to the pressure on the tummy. Be mindful that the nose and mouth are free, and breathing is not hampered.

Why Is My Baby So Gassy

If your baby is gassy, youll notice that he passes a lot of gas and seems to feel better afterward. Gas troubles often start right away or when babies are just a couple of weeks old.

Fortunately, most infants outgrow them by the time theyre 4 to 6 months old, though for some, baby gas can last longer.

Infants are usually gassy because they have immature digestive systems and swallow air during feedings. Some babies may have sensitivities that could be affected by a breastfeeding moms diet or a certain type of formula.

I Have A Very Gassy Baby Is This Normal

Gas is not a medical condition. Baby gas pains are typically brief and relieved when a baby burps or farts. The good news is infant gas pains improve over time. By the age of 4 to 6 months, the gut has matured and your baby can move more efficiently, decreasing the bouts of painZeevenhooven J, Browne PD, LHoir MP, de Weerth C, Benninga, MA. Infant Colic: Mechanisms and Management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 15:479-496. .

Also Check: How To Get A Newborn Ssn

See If Foods You’re Eating Could Be Making Baby Gassy

If youre nursing, certain foods youre eating may also make baby gassy, because they create gassy breastmilk

Beans, onions broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage are common culprits, as are other green vegetables. But fruits and fiber-rich foods can also be culprits.

If you suspect that breastmilk is making baby gassy, keep track of the foods you eat. . Then, ask a doctor or lactation consultant if certain foods youre eating may be causing your babys gas.

Only cut out foods from your diet, though, if your doctor or lactation consultant

Are There Any Exercises That Can Help Infant Gas

Pin on Mommas Blog

Your baby may not be walking yet, or even crawling. But that doesnt mean you cant do exercises with themand help relieve some of that uncomfortable gas in the process. Enter: The Bicycle technique. Simply lay your baby down flat on their back, then pump their legs in circular motions, similar to how one would move while bicycling. This simple movement can get gas moving, helping your baby to expel it.

Likewise, a little tummy time has been known to help promote infant gas relief. By laying your baby down on their stomach, you’re using their weight to put pressure on stubborn gas. As your baby inevitably starts floor-wiggling, the pressure and motion may help move the gas around enough to get it out. Bonus: Tummy time also helps strengthen your babys neck and upper body muscles while helping to keep their head from getting flat from laying predominantly on their back.

Read Also: How To Make Your Newborn Fall Asleep

Does Massage Help With Baby Gas

Infant massage is another way to help your baby move tummy bubbles. Massage also supports bonding and sensory stimulation between an infant and parentZeevenhooven J, Browne PD, LHoir MP, de Weerth C, Benninga, MA. Infant Colic: Mechanisms and Management. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 15:479-496. .

Choose a time of day to perform infant massage, typically first thing in the morning or as part of the nighttime routine. Baby-safe lotions or oils can decrease friction during a massage, but are not needed. Move your hand across your babys tummy in a clockwise motion to push bubbles forward. You can also move your babys legs like theyre riding a bike to encourage gas release.

Infant massage should be pleasant and soothing. Watch your baby for any signs of increased distress, and stop if your baby seems uncomfortable.

Must Know Food That Cause Gas In Babies

Gassiness in babies is a common case. It can cause great amout of discomfort to your little one. To understand what foods can cause gas in your baby, look at those that cause the same in you. Your little one has the ability to process foods the same way as you. In case you are aware of the foods that cause gas in you, those can be best avoided.

Recommended Reading: What All To Buy For A Newborn Baby

What Causes Baby Gas

There are several possible causes for infant gas. Some believe that breastfed babies can get the effects of gaseous foods from their mothers breast milk. Others feel that acidic foods and excess dairy products in their diet also seem to worsen their babys fussiness.

But what mom eats isnt the only possibility.

If your babys bottle-fed, they could be having a reaction to their formula. Food intolerance often shows up as gas and bloating. If this is the cause of gas, youre also likely to see other digestive problems like diarrhea.

One of the more common causes is swallowing too much air while eating whether breastfed or bottle-fed it can cause gas.

How Baby Probiotics Can Help With Gas

How to instantly relieve trapped wind (gas) in infants.

Newborns have an immature digestive system. The muscles in their digestive tract cant maintain the rhythm necessary for moving food along the GI tract efficiently. For many babies and toddlers, this results in gas pockets in the GI tract that can create pain. The good news is that baby probiotic supplements can help prevent gastrointestinal issues!

The probioticshelp to maintain a balance between babies bad and good bacteria in their gut. These also work to ensure that babies have enough digestive enzymes to break down food and they reduce intestinal inflammation which together works to stop unwanted gas build-up.

Recommended Reading: Natures Plus Gi Natural Probiotic Mega

Recommended Reading: Why Does My Newborn Have A Lot Of Gas

Crying Can Be A Sign Of Pain But Is Probably Not A Serious Issue

Gas buildup can cause a lot of pain for your infant and cause crying spells lasting longer than 3 hours, known as colic. This is not only distressing for the baby but for the parents as well.

Gas itself is not a dangerous condition, but in rare cases, it can be a sign of more serious issues, Marinus says.

“Other symptoms to look out for might be not pooping, blood in the stool or blood in the vomit, being so fussy that they cannot be calmed by any means and possibly a fever.” You should see the pediatrician if any of these symptoms occur.

Other reasons to visit the pediatrician are if the baby is exhibiting persistent crying, inconsolability, poor weight gain, blood in the stool, or a fever.

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.

——————————-

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.

  • Contact Us
  • 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.

    Recommended Reading: How Much Do Newborn Photos Cost

    Try A Gentler Formula

    Enfamils Gentlease, a gentler formula, may help cut down on gas in formula-fed babies with sensitive tummies. If baby is often gassy when they consume standard formula, Gentlease can help cut down on gas, fussiness and colic in as few as 24 hours — and it costs nearly the same as standard formula. Thats because the milk proteins in Gentlease are somewhat smaller than those in standard formula.

    How Baby Probiotics Can Help With Constipation

    Gas issues in babies

    Constipation is an all too common problem amongst many toddlers and babies. It causes painful and infrequent bowel movements, fecal incontinence, and abdominal pain. To treat this uncomfortable condition, the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition recommends behavioral modification, dietary changes, and family education.

    As far as dietary changes go, some studies have examined the effectiveness of probiotic supplements in treating constipation in infants. One study found that a combination of Bifidobacteriumand Lactobacillus sppprobiotic strains helped reduce constipation symptoms in infants by increasing the frequency of bowel movements.

    Read Also: How Long Do Newborns Sleep A Day

    Gas Prevention Methods For Babies

    Bring on the Burps. Feeding time can come with a lot of crying, gulping, guzzling, and sucklingin other words, a lot of air, which eventually manifests itself in the form of a burp or gas. “And while relief from a burp might be more immediate, air that turns into gas has a longer journey through the intestinal tract first,” Dr. Shu says. Try being a little extra vigilant about burping your baby during and after a feeding to see if you can keep some of the gas at bay.

    Settle Down. 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. There’s lots of shaking going on and the bottle is often piled high with bubbles on top of the actual formula. Also consider using ready-made formula for gassy babies, as well as specially vented bottles that may reduce the amount of bubbles.

    Adjust the Angle. “When feeding your baby, make sure her head is higher than her stomach,” Dr. Shu advises. You want to hold your baby in a position that allows the liquid to slowly sink to the bottom while the bubbles rise to the top. If you keep the bubbles closer to the surface, the naturaland easiestmeans of exit is a burp. Trapped bubbles will likely pass in the form of gas.

    Loose Latch To The Nipple

    Sometimes infants do not latch the breast nipple or bottle nipple properly due to bad positioning of the baby or the bottle. This might leave a considerable hole between the nipples and mouth by which air can get into the stomach along with the milk. This is one of the common causes of gas in babies.

    Don’t Miss: How Many Oz Per Feeding Newborn

    How Much Water To Drink

    Aim to drink more water than usual a day, so at least 8 cups along with fluids from fruits, vegetables and other sources especially in the weeks after birth, since it will help your body recover. To ensure youre getting enough, a good rule of thumb is to drink a cup of water at every nursing session. In all, you’ll need about 128 ounces of fluids a day from all sources .

    Keep in mind that your milk supply wont be affected unless youre seriously dehydrated, but your urine will become darker and scanter. Not drinking enough can also set you up for health issues including urinary tract infections , constipation and fatigue. So just be sure to drink whenever you’re thirsty, which will likely be often when you’re breastfeeding!

    How To Prevent And Treat A Gassy Baby

    First Time Mom Newborn Tips: HOW TO BURP A NEWBORN BABY + RELIEVING GAS IN INFANTS

    Let’s look at the best strategies to avoid and treat gas in babies.

    • Feeding your baby in more of an upright position This will help to reduce unnecessary air intake and prevent the production of additional gas.
    • Burp your baby before, during, and after feeding Burping your baby helps their digestive system mature and keep things moving properly. Pat their back gently in the middle of their meal to assist in the release of any air they have ingested while eating. If your little one hasn’t eaten in a while, they might be signalling that its time to burp.
    • Pay attention to hunger cues When your baby has gone too long without a good meal, they, like us, might get irritable. Look for hunger indicators, such as placing the fingers in their mouth or sucking with their tongue.

    Recommended Reading: What Is The Best Gift For A Newborn Baby

    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.

    Related Posts

    Popular Articles