How To Remove Gas From Newborn Baby Stomach

When To Call The Doctor

HOW TO BURP NEW BORN BABY//HOW TO REMOVE GAS FROM BABIES STOMACH

If your child’s stomachache comes on really quickly, or if it won’t go away, check in with the pediatrician. Their doctor will especially want to know if your child has other symptoms, such as:

  • Vomiting
  • Shigellosis

Other less common causes of stomachache include:

Appendicitis. If the pain is in the center of your child’s stomach and later moves to the right, it could mean appendix problems. It’s rare for this to happen in kids under 5.

Intestinal blockage. It’s rare, but sometimes between 8-14 months, part of your child’s intestine can slide into another part and block it. Your doctor can use X-rays to diagnose the problem. An enema or surgery will unblock it.

Parasite. Your doctor can test a sample of your child’s stool to see if a parasite is to blame. Parasites can be treated with antiparasitic medicines.

Show Sources

Baby Gas Pain With 9 Effective Remedies

Its rather stressful to hear your baby crying especially if you cannot understand what he/she needs. One common reason for such crying is baby gas pain. Dont worry, theres no need to call your pediatrician yet. There are many things you can do at home to alleviate your little darlings suffering.

Signs Of A Gassy Baby

If you suspect that your fussy baby is genuinely uncomfortable, and they keep squirming and pulling up their legs, they might have some gas that refuses to pass. The best way to confirm your suspicions is to try some gas-relieving techniques. “If your baby seems much better after passing gas, then that’s a telltale sign that the problem was gas,” says Jennifer Shu, M.D., an Atlanta-based pediatrician and coauthor of Food Fights: Winning The Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor, and A Bottle of Ketchup. This applies to gassy breastfed babies and gassy bottle-fed babies.

Read Also: How Many Oz Should A Newborn Eat In A Day

What Causes Baby Gas Pain

Baby gas pain is caused by pockets of excessive gas which form in a babys stomach or intestines. These pockets of gas exercise pressure on its tummy causing discomfort or even pain. There are six common causes for this condition.

  • Incorrect feeding. If the breast or the feeding-bottle is wrongly positioned, the baby may swallow too much air.
  • Overfeeding. If the baby is given too much food at one time, you little ones tummy gets overloaded.
  • Lactose overload. This happens usually when the baby gets too much foremilk which is rich in lactose but low in fat. Then not all of the lactose is digested because there is not enough fat to slow down the process. As a result excessive gas is produced.
  • Food sensitivity. Some babies turn out to be intolerant or allergic to some ingredients in breast milk or formula.
  • Immature digestive system. The infant has not yet learned to process the food, gas and stool properly. The intestines also have not yet to create their own micro flora a group of microorganisms which are unique for every persons guts. The micro flora is necessary for digestion process and the immune system.
  • Excessive crying. Excessive crying may lead to taking in too much air, then resulting in excessive gas.

What Infant Gas Drops Are Safe And Effective

How to do the " I Love You"  Baby Massage for Gassy Tummies

Infant gas drops contain simethicone, which breaks up gas bubbles and is also the main ingredient in common anti-gas medications for adults. Research as to how effective they are is mixed. Still, simethicone gas drops for babies are very safe, and some parents find theyre very effective.

Want to try infant gas drops to help your gassy baby? First, talk to your pediatrician about what kind to look for and how often to give them. And follow the dosing instructions on the bottle. Most will say you can give your baby drops up to 12 times per day, or at each feeding. Some parents find its helpful to give babies gas drops right before each feed to pre-empt gas problems, but check with your doctor to be sure.

Read the label and be sure to avoid drops with sodium benzoate or benzoic acid, which can be harmful to babies in large quantities.

And if a friend or relative brings a gas treatment from another country or one that isn’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration , don’t give it to your baby unless you get approval from your pediatrician. It could contain alcohol, sugar or other potentially harmful ingredients that aren’t clearly listed on the packaging.

Don’t Miss: How To Keep My Newborn Awake During The Day

Tips For How To Relieve Gas In Babies

Tip # 1

One simple tip to solve the gas problem in your baby or release the gas in your baby is to fold the babys legs gently. After folding the babys legs gently, gently press down on the babys stomach.

This should be done with extra caution. If you are unsure of what you are doing, you should take the baby to the doctor to be performed by an expert or professional.

Why Do Babies Get Bloated Bellies

Many things can result in a gassy baby. Infants often swallow air when theyre crying, sucking a pacifier, and eating .

Babies can become gassy if they swallow excessive air in the wrong feeding position, if they eat too much, or if theyre constipated. Newborn babies may also have allergies or intolerances to ingredients in formula or breast milk, leading to gas. Furthermore, infants digestive systems are still developing and learning to effectively process food, stool, and gas.

Read Also: How Much Should A Newborn Eat

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.

Why Is Your Baby Gassy In The First Place

How To Relieve Gas and Colic In Babies and Infants Instantly

Babies usually experience gas troubles almost right away, even after only a few weeks of life. Most infants grow out of it by around four to six months of agebut sometimes, it can last longer.

Most infant gas is simply caused by swallowing air while feeding. Other times, though, it can be caused by sensitivities that could be affected by a breastfeeding moms diet or a certain type of formula. Heres how to tell if your baby is gassy:

You notice that your baby is fussy for about an hour or so per day. Again, baby gas is normal! But if you notice it every single day with no sign of improvement, its time to call your doctor.

Your baby seems unhappy most of the time. This is a good indicator that your babys gas is above a normal newborn gas level.

Your baby isnt eating or sleeping well. This can have a lot of different causes, but gas is definitely a common one.

When your baby cries, you notice that they get red in the face, or they seem like theyre in pain.

Your baby is squirming a lot. If your baby seems uncomfortable, is squirming around, or pulling their legs up to their chest, it could be a sign of gas.

Read Also: How To Activate Medicaid For Newborn Florida

When To Call Your Doctor

Its always a good idea to consult your doctor about whats going on, even if it doesnt seem like a big deal. There are, however, a few signs you should be on the lookout for. If you notice any of the following, call your doctor right away.

  • Your baby isnt gaining weight
  • Your baby often doesnt want to eat or is difficult to feed
  • Your baby seems constipated or has a hard time with bowel movements
  • Your baby has an allergic reaction

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.

  • Write down all of your babys issues and your worries.
  • When do you notice the gas? Is it after eating? When baby first wakes up?
  • Does your baby seem to be in pain when they have gas? What are their issues: crying, fussiness, spitting up?
  • Log everything you are giving your baby.
  • Medications
  • Vitamins or other nutritional supplements
  • Type of formula
  • Note any changes in your baby lately.
  • Sleep pattern
  • Read Also: How Do You Get Rid Of Newborn Acne

    How To Help Your Baby Feel Better

    Try these steps to prevent and ease the pain of gas:

    Check feeding position. “When youre nursing or bottle-feeding, try to keep the babys head higher than her stomach,” Shu says. “That way, the milk sinks to the bottom of the stomach and air goes to the top, and its easier to burp out.” Tip the bottle up slightly so there are no air bubbles in the nipple, and use a nursing pillow for support.

    Burp your baby. One of the easiest ways to ease gas pains is to burp them during and after they nurse. If they dont belch right away, lay them down on their back for a few minutes and then try again.

    Change equipment. “If youre bottle-feeding, switch to a slower-flow nipple,” says Joel Lavine, MD, PhD, professor of pediatrics at Columbia University.

    Work it out. Gently massage your baby, pump their legs back and forth while they are on their back, or give their tummy time . A warm bath can also help them get rid of extra gas.

    Continued

    Take a closer look at foods. Talk with your baby’s doctor about foods that may give them extra gas. “Some parents give infants fruit juice, which contains sorbitols that the baby cant absorb,” Lavine says. The doctor will also make sure you dont cut out nutrients your baby needs.

    Feed Her Before Shes Too Hungry

    6 Home Remedies Gas Relief In Babies

    If you are tracking your babys feeding times, try to stick to a schedule and feed her before you start hearing her hungry cries. That way she will be more likely to eat at a leisurely pace and not gulp down her breast milk or formula too quickly. If youre breastfeeding and your milk lets down quickly, you may need to unlatch baby for a moment and then re-latch her so she can manage your milk flow.

    Tummy woes can make for a fussy baby. Find out what you can do about hiccups, gas bubbles and colic to ease the symptoms here.

    Don’t Miss: How To Bathe A Newborn With Umbilical Cord

    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.

    Frog Kick The Fart Out

    Another way to use movement to get things moving down there is with the frog kick exercise. Start the same as above, with bub on the floor, and hold the lower legs.

    Move babys legs in a clockwise rotation from chest, to right hips, to knees, to left hips, to chest. Next, slightly stretch the legs upright and lift their bottom off the floor. Finish by bending their knees and bringing them to their chest .

    Don’t Miss: How Is A Newborn Supposed To Sleep

    Know When To Call The Doctor

    If these simple solutions for a baby upset stomach aren’t working, call the doctor. Colic, which is inconsolable crying, might not really have a known cause, says Dr. Loizides, and a pooping problem called dyschezia usually works itself out on its own. However, he says to watch out for concerning symptoms like pain during or after feeding, persistent food refusal, vomiting blood or green or yellow fluid, poor growth, breathing problems, or choking.

    Which Medications Can You Safely Give Your Newborn For Gas

    How to use the Wawa Band to relieve baby gas

    Over-the-counter gas drops given to a baby for gases contain simethicone, a medicine designed to relieve excess gas in the stomach and intestines. Simethicone is generally a safe medication for most babies.

    The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved it in 1952. Simethicone may cause loose stools in some babies. A typical dose for simethicone is 20 milligrams, up to 4 times a day. The FDA advises against using gripe water for treating colic or flatulence in babies.

    You May Like: How To Make Newborn Baby Sleep At Night

    Be Careful About Foods

    To provide your infant with gas relief, talk to their doctor about foods that may cause extra gas. Some fruit juices contain sorbitols or sugar alcohols that babies cant absorb, causing gas. The doctor will also make sure your baby is getting all the essential nutrients they need.

    If you are breastfeeding, foods youve eaten can also cause your baby to be gassy. If you give your baby formula, you can try switching brands. Some brands claim to prevent gas.

    Related Posts

    Popular Articles