Massaging Your Babys Tummy
The gentle massaging touch can be calming and relaxing, but even more importantly, the pressure on your babys tummy can help encourage that gas bubble to come out. You can also try the colic hold to help relieve pressure in a gassy baby. To do this hold, you can your baby across your lap so that his tummy lays on your legs. This works for the same reason that tummy time does. You can find more baby massage ideas in this article.
Reducing The Amount Of Air Your Baby Swallows
1. While breastfeeding
- Make sure your baby latches-on correctly, a poorly latched on baby will swallow more air. . If you are experiencing difficulties with latching your baby to your breast, seek the hands-on support of a qualified lactation consultant.
- Where supply is plentiful and your baby is gaining large amounts of weight, offer only one breast at each feeding .
- If your milk supply is plentiful and let-down is strong and provides a rush of breast milk, which your baby experiences difficulty coping with, pump off approx. an ounce of milk before latching your baby to the breast. .
2. While bottle feeding
- Read how long bottle feeding should take for different age groups and slow feeding down to the recommended time, by using a slower nipple and/or tightening the nipple ring.
- If feeding continues to be too fast, encourage your baby to take a couple of brief breaks during feeding.
- Experiment with different shaped nipples. For more information on choosing a suitable nipple see feeding equipment.
- For additional tips on bottle feeding, see How to bottle feed your baby.
3. When your baby is eating solid food
- If your baby is younger than 9 months of age, offer milk 15 – 20 minutes before offering solids.
- If your baby is older than 9 months, offer solids before milk . Offer small healthy snacks approximately mid way between main meals.
4. While using a pacifier
5. While crying
When Your Baby Gets Wind
Every baby is different and over time you will grow to know your baby’s cues.
Sometimes the wind builds up from the day’s feeds. This is especially true if an unsettled feeding period happens in the late afternoon or evening period.
The period of being unsettled is sometimes called ‘the witching hour’. Most babies will experience this period of being unsettled. Some suffer worse than others. It usually begins around 2 to 4 weeks old and may last for 6 weeks.
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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.
Burping Your Baby During Each Meal
Burping regularly is essential for a happy tummy! A lot of babies become gassy if they swallow too much air during a feeding session. You can reduce the influx of air by ensuring a proper latch or using an anti-gas nipple on the bottle.
Grab your burp cloths and keep these tips in mind:
- Dont wait until the end of the feeding to burp try a mid-feeding burp!
- Burp every 5-10 minutes for breastfeeding babies
- Burp every 2-3 ounces for bottle-fed babies
In addition, consider burping your baby if he starts fussing at the breast or bottle. We have a whole article on burping techniques here.
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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.
Feed Her Before Shes Too Hungry
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.
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Gassy Babies And Sleep
While the best sleep position for a gassy baby is still on their back, sometimes, gas pains make it harder for your little one to sleep. If this is the case, you may find that swaddling your baby before bedtime will keep them warm and comfortable during the night, as well as reduce any discomfort.
If your baby has fallen asleep while nursing, you’re likely to face the following dilemma: You want to burp your baby before putting them down to avoid any gas bubbles, but you don’t want to rouse them from their sleep.
If this is the case, use the following strategies to help release any trapped air before laying your baby down on her back:
- Prop baby up Hold your baby semi-upright against your chest, so that their head can rest on your shoulder. Your body should provide enough pressure on their tummy to encourage a burp.
- Rock baby back and forth Place their belly down over your arm so that their legs dangle on either side and their head is supported in the crook of your elbow. Then, gently move your arm from side to side while you pat their back.
- Lay baby down Lay your baby belly down over your lap so that their stomach is on your knees. Then, rock them by moving your legs side to side and gently rubbing their back.
And remember, you got this!
How To Treat: Swaddling
A baby will get gas relief if they are swaddled them in a blanket. Not only will this calm them but it will also make their tummy feel better. The soothing pressure mimics how they felt in the womb and will give them a sense of security so they can relax and pass gas.
Related: 10 Best Foods When You’re Having Cravings During Pregnancy
Just be sure to follow all safety guidelines when it comes to swaddling the baby and always remember that infants should always be placed on their back to sleep. Hopefully, swaddling will give your gassy baby a bit of relief and theyll quickly settle down.
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Consider A Different Formula
If you feed baby with formula, you may be able to quell their belly pain by switching the, well, formula of their formula. Numerous formulas are made specifically for babies with sensitive tummies.
Another alternative: Try using warm water when mixing up babys bottle. This can help the formula dissolve without the need for shaking, which can create air bubbles that lead to gas.
How To Burp A Baby
There are three common burping positions: over your shoulder, sitting on your lap, or face-down on your lap. Choose the one that’s most comfortable and effective for getting burps out of your baby. Whichever position you choose, though, have a burp cloth by your baby’s mouth to catch any spit-up.
Over Your Shoulder: Stand or sit comfortably, slightly reclining, and hold your baby under their bottom for support. Make sure they’re facing behind you, looking over your shoulder, with their chin resting on a soft cloth to absorb any spit-up from a burp. Tap or rub the fingertips of your free hand across your baby’s shoulder blades. They may move back and forth a bit this won’t hurt as long as your shoulder supports their head.
Sitting on Your Lap: Place your baby sideways on your lap, with their chest leaning slightly forward. Position your hand under their chin to support their chest and head. Pat their back across the shoulder blades to burp them.
Face-Down on Your Lap: Lay your baby across your knees on their belly, with their head slightly higher than the rest of their body, and firmly rub and pat their back.
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When Should I Contact A Health Care Provider
Gas is common with infants. Reach out to your babys provider with any concerns about your babys increased fussiness to see if there could be additional causes for their excessive gas, including constipation, cows milk protein allergy or acid reflux.
For additional help or questions, you can call Banner Nurse Now, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for free advice at 844-259-9494.
What Is The Definition Of Colic
Colic is the word used to describe a condition when a healthy baby cries for more than three hours per day, more than three days per week, for three or more weeks, and is hard to console or comfort.
With a colicky baby, the bouts of crying typically intensify and last as the day goes on, and can worsen in the evening, typically between 6 pm and midnight.
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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’s Normal Crying And What’s Colic
Don’t be surprised if your newborn cries a lot. During their first 3 months of life, babies can cry for up to 2 hours a day.
If your baby has colic, though, they are more likely to:
- Cry for what seems like no reason — even when they don’t need to eat or have their diaper changed
- Start to cry in the evening, or at the same time every day
- Cry for 3 or more hours each day, more than 3 days a week, for at least 3 weeks
- Make sounds that are more intense than normal — more like a high-pitched scream than a cry
- Not be soothed, even when you feed or rock them
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When To See A Doctor
If your little one is gassy, your first port of call should always be a trip to your friendly local doctors office. They will be able to assess your bubs individual symptoms and determine the likely cause.
If your child experiences any of the symptoms mentioned in this article, or if they change or worsen unexpectedly, take them to see a health professional.
Looking for more information about your little ones tummy? You may find the following resources helpful:
Switch Up Your Burping Strategy
Some babies are awesome burpers others, not so much. For those kiddos who require a little extra effort to release air, consider adjusting your burping strategy.
Try burping baby mid-feeding or in a different position to prompt bubbles to make their exit. A few good, big belches could make a big difference in their discomfort.
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How Is Colic Diagnosed
The healthcare provider will ask about your childs symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. You may be asked questions such as:
- How long and how often does your baby cry?
- Have you found anything that seems to trigger the crying?
- What comfort methods help to calm your baby, if any?
Blood tests and X-rays or other imaging tests may be done. These can help find out if your baby has other health problems.
Dont Be Afraid To Ask For Help
Even the most experienced parent can get overwhelmed by the crying of an infant, with or without colic. Having a good support system on standby can offer you a much-needed break when it all becomes too much. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when that time comes:
- Ask for help from your partner or a family member for relief or sleep when you need it.
- If the crying makes you feel like you might lose control, place your baby safely in his crib and step away for a few minutes to calm down and collect your thoughts.
- REMEMBER: feeling overwhelmed is temporarynever shake an infant.
* Based on a clinical study withSimilacAlimentumReadytoFeed without DHA and ARA in a small group of infants experiencing colic symptoms due to cow’s milk protein sensitivity.Data on file, Study AC84, August 2004. Abbott Nutrition, Columbus, Ohio.
References:1. Fiocchi A, et al.PediatrAllergy Immunol.2010 21:1-125.2. Lucassen PL, et al.Arch Dis Child. 2001 84:398-403.3. Quiet the colic. Pregnancy and Newborn. Accessed September 20, 2018.
Sources: Peri C. Expert Q& A: crying and colic. WebMD. Reviewed May 27, 2015.
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Be Mindful Of Feeding Times
Try to feed your baby before you start hearing her hungry cries. This can help her eat at a leisurely pace and not gulp down her breast milk or formula too quickly. If youre a breastfeeding mama and your milk lets down quickly, you may want to unlatch baby for a moment and then re-latch. That can help her manage your milk flow more easily.
Do you have tried and true tricks you use to soothe your gassy baby? Let us know in the comments section on the page.
Remedies For A Gassy Baby
Here are several home remedies you can try to help relieve your babys excess gas!
Burp Them Twice
Since swallowing air while feeding is the most probable explanation for newborn gas, burping them twice is a great and simple thing to try. Even giving your baby some gentle back pats during feeding can go a long way. A lot of times, if your baby turns away from the breast or bottle in the middle of feeding, its not because theyre fullits because the gas is making them uncomfortable!
Keep Them Upright
Try to feed your baby in a very upright position. This will help minimize the amount of air theyre swallowing. If youre bottle feeding, you can try an anti-gas nipple to better control the flow of milk. Also be sure to avoid shaking the bottle too much, which can create extra bubbles.
Learn Their Hunger Cues
Crying, of course, can be very unpredictable. But, if you can, try to feed your baby before they start crying. Babies swallow a lot of air while crying try to learn their hunger cues as early on as possible, so you can get them fed before they cry.
Baby Bicycles
Lay your baby on their back, and gently cycle their legs toward their tummy. This motion will help manually push all the trapped air out of their tummy. You can also try gently pushing their knees to their chest, holding the position for 10 seconds, releasing, and repeating.
Tummy Time
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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:
- Beans
- Pears
- Peaches
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.
Move Those Little Legs
If your baby is lying on her back, gently move her legs back and forth to imitate riding a bicycle. This exercise helps with intestinal motion and can expel trapped gas. You can also bend her legs and gently push her knees up towards her tummy. If shes on her tummy, you can help ease into Childs Pose and that motion will have the same effect.
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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.