When To Be Concerned About Baby Gas
So youve tried tummy massages and bicycle kicks, but you just cant comfort your baby. Now what? Its a good idea to speak with your pediatrician especially if:
- Your baby isnt gaining weight
- Your baby isnt interested in eating
- Your baby is struggling with constipation
Your pediatrician can help determine the cause of your babys discomfort so he can get the relief he deserves.
Are There Any Exercises That Can Help Infant Gas
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.
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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Cautions With Other Medicines
Simeticone is generally safe to take with other medicines. However, talk to a doctor or pharmacist before you use simeticone if you are taking:
- levothyroxine for thyroid problems. Simeticone might stop levothyroxine being absorbed properly, meaning it will not work as well.
If the medicine contains other ingredients with simeticone, read the leaflet or talk to a doctor or pharmacist to make sure it is suitable to take with other medicines.
Taking simeticone with herbal supplements
There are no known problems with taking herbal remedies and supplements with simeticone.
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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Best Set: Tommee Tippee Closer To Nature Fiesta Baby Bottles
If youre breastfeeding and want to avoid nipple confusion issues, you want to use bottles that are as much like a mothers breast as possible, like these from Tommee Tippee. The flexible nipple is realistically shaped and made of a smooth silicone that mimics the feel of a mothers skin, while an anti-colic valve keeps excess air from reaching babys tummy.
This package comes with six bottles in an array of rainbow colors that add a pop of fun to feeding time, too. Parents swear by these bottles, with many saying their breastfeeding little ones took to these when they wouldnt eat from other bottles.
Older Children With Gas
Although it can also be normal, older children with gas can have an underlying medical condition causing their gas, including lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome, malabsorption, or celiac disease.
Fortunately, they are often better at describing associated symptoms, such as bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, etc. Older children also often recognize the association between their symptoms and specific foods, including milk, fruits, or vegetables.
Read Also: How To Get More Breast Milk For Newborn Baby
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.
How Do I Relieve My Babys Gas Symptoms
Apart from switching from the formula you are using now for one that your baby will tolerate better, there are plenty of other remedies that I definitely recommend you try to bring your baby relief.
Some of them are natural, while others contain supplements or even medication. As a rule of thumb, medication should be a last resort and you should only try it out after talking to a healthcare professional who can give you tailored advice.
Most parents find that a combination of remedies works best for their baby, so take some time to see what makes your little one feel better.
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Why Is My Baby Gassy
All babies have some gas, however, the amount of gas and the discomfort can vary between newborns. There are several different reasons why a baby can develop gas. Many times it has to do with air being brought into the stomach, which happens when a baby cries or drinks bubbles from a bottle. This air can get trapped in the stomach and cause discomfort. In addition, a newborns digestive tract is not fully developed, which can lead to gassiness and indigestion.
Some moms that breastfeed find that eating certain foods such as beans, cauliflower, or broccoli can cause their baby to become fussy. If you notice your baby reacts differently based upon the foods you eat, it is helpful to keep track of what you are eating and how your baby is reacting so you can discuss it with your pediatrician.
How Do You Know If Your Baby Has Gas Pains
Its best to start simple when trying to determine if your baby has gas pains. First, try to identify patterns and body language that can help clue you in to the cause of your babys fussiness. What may seem like gas may actually be hunger, and vice versa. Crying while passing gas or soon after is a pretty surefire sign theyre having gas pains. If theyre breaking wind or burping excessively, theres clearly an overabundance of gas. Ditto if they arch their back and look like theyre straining, and/or have a swollen-looking belly long after their last feeding.
Hungry babies, on the other hand, dont always cry for food. Early cues your baby is hungry may include bringing their hands to their face, puckering their mouth and looking for a nipple , or making sucking sounds and motions. They may also put their fingers or fist in their mouth, flex their hands and limbs, clench their fists over their tummy, or breathe faster.
Once you know what your baby is communicating, its easier to take the right plan of action. After all, you wouldnt want to overfeed a gassy baby, just as you wouldnt want to deny a hungry baby.
Finally, if you think you can rule out gassiness, hunger, or even an errant environmental discomfort, such as a bunched up piece of clothing, try taking note of the time the fussiness occurs. Oftentimes, babies simply have a fussy time of day . Once youre aware of this, it should become easier to prepare for and manage it.
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Enfamil Nutramigen Hypoallergenic Colic Baby Formula
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The crying and overall crankiness of babies who have too much gas trapped in their belly is usually a result of the baby swallowing too much air while feeding.
On the other hand, some infants have an intolerance to certain ingredients found in formula, such as cows milk protein, which causes their digestive issues.
Nutramigen doesnt contain any lactose, making it perfect for little ones with milk allergies or just plain sensitivity to lactose.
The formula is enriched with both DHA and arachidonic acid that contribute to the development of the brain, eyes, and immune system.
Unfortunately, Nutramigen is much less budget-friendly than some of the other brands Ive recommended. However, this is to be expected from hypoallergenic brands as they have highly-specialized formulations.
Mama Bear Sensitivity Milk
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Mama Bear Sensitivity is actually a generic version of the Similac Pro-Sensitive formula, meaning that its one of the best baby formulas for moms on a budget!
This GMO-free formula is perfect for little ones who are a little sensitive to lactose, but will not be a good choice for babies with cows milk allergy.
Among other important ingredients found in different formula brands, this Mama Bear formula contains human milk oligosaccharide , a prebiotic that babies usually get from breast milk and important for immune system development.
It also includes DHA for healthy brain development.
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Keep Your Baby Upright
Let gravity do its thing by feeding at an angle. “Avoid feeding while the infant is lying down,” Dr. Loizides says. If you’re breastfeeding, try an upright football or laid-back hold. After your baby eats, don’t have them lie down right away. “It’s best to seat Baby upright for 20 to 30 minutes to ensure proper digestion,” Dr. Montague says.
How Do You Know Your Toddler Has A Gas Problem
Some of the common signs and symptoms often associated with gas in toddlers include:
- Uneasiness and increased discomfort.
- Intake of some medicines, like antibiotics
- Malabsorption and maldigestion of nutrients
- Medical reasons such as irritable bowel syndrome
Gassiness can be usually managed with some home care tips.
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How To Take It
Infant colic drops
Shake the bottle. Measure the dose using the dropper or syringe provided and give to your baby right away.
Some brands can be added to your baby’s bottle of milk. Check the leaflet or ask your health visitor or pharmacist if you’re not sure.
Liquid
Shake the bottle. Measure the correct dose using a syringe, medicine spoon, or small measuring cup. Ask a pharmacist for one.
Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.
Tablets, capsules and gel capsules
Swallow these whole with some water.
Chewable tablets
Chew the tablets before swallowing. You can have a drink of water afterwards if you like.
Are Other Gas Relief Methods Better Than Simethicone
Gripe water, a popular homeopathic remedy often touted as a remedy for gas in newborns, was originally made with dill seed oil, baking soda, and alcohol ingredients the World Health Organization certainly does not endorse. Though most gripe water today is alcohol-free, doctors are concerned about the alkalinity of the baking soda in babies systems. In short, if youre looking for a safe method to help your newborns gas, baby gas drops like mylicon may be the safer choice.
Ultimately, the search for a safe, effective method to help your gassy newborn might be simpler than it first appeared. Simethicone is considered safe for newborns by most medical professionals, but the secret ingredient might simply be the sugar. If your baby has gas, you can always give it time and remember the old saying: This too shall pass.
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Happy Baby Organic Infant Formula Milk
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
I always think its a good idea to compare two similar formula brands, which is why Ive also included the Happy Baby organic formula for you to consider.
Like its competitor, its also certified organic. Plus, you wont find any corn syrup solids in this formula!
As for its other ingredients, it contains prebiotics called GOS and FOS they support the good bacteria in the babys gastrointestinal system, which keeps your little boy or girls tummy happy and healthy.
Because this is a stage 2 formula, it can only be given to your little one after 6 months of age until the age of 1, so keep this in mind before purchasing.
Dont Forget To Burp Twice
If we take into account that most gas problems are a result of the baby swallowing too much air while feeding, then its pretty self-explanatory to burp the baby more than one time.
Whether youre breastfeeding or using the bottle, make a quick break in the middle of the feeding and burp the baby, and then once more after the feeding.
In this way, you will make sure to get rid of any excess air in time before it moves lower into the bowels and turns into gas.
This will also help your little one get enough food, as air in their belly can make them feel full even though theyre not. So burping twice will ensure theyre feeding as much as they should.
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