What Causes Gas In Newborns Breastfeeding

What Causes Gas In Babies

Jeanne Cygnus, an Illinois-based International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant who heads Cygnus Lactation Services and has worked with thousands of families, tells Romper that there are two different types of gas: swallowed air and gas thatâs released during the digestive process. Babies typically swallow air either when they are crying very hard or when they are gulping â babies who are breastfeeding will often swallow less air than babies who are bottle-feeding, since they can more easily control the flow of milk.

But all babies, no matter what kind of milk theyâre taking in, will have digestive gas. Bacteria in their gut will break down the sugars in the milk and release gas during the digestive process. The problem is that babyâs bodies usually arenât as good as adult bodies at handling the gas that comes from digestion.

âBabies donât have a lot of abdominal strength,â she explains. âAnd not to get too graphic, but itâs a learned behavior to release the sphincter to release the gas.â Adults know how to release, but a baby who needs to pass gas might instead clamp down and not know how to move the gas through. Thatâs when they become uncomfortable, and let you know it.

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

Breastfed Baby Has Gas And Poop That Smells Like Rotten Eggs What Could Be Wrong

Tiny baby farts can be adorable and funny, especially when they make silly faces to go along with the farts. Its not so cute when your breastfed baby has stinky gas, and his poop smells like rotten eggs. Arent babies supposed to smell adorable?

Baby gas isnt necessarily a problem on its own because everyone has gas, but when your newborn has gas that smells like sulfur, it might indicate something is wrong. Its time to do some investigating. Foul odors often have an underlying cause, so lets look at why your breastfeeding baby farts a lot and why his baby gas smells like rotten eggs.

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What Should I Know About Gas In Breastfed Babies

• Know that most babies have gas
• Understand the many causes and symptoms of gas in breastfed babies
• Learn tips and tricks to help prevent and relieve gas in your baby

One of the most common concerns parents have is their babys gas. While gas is usually not harmful, the pressure that gas bubbles create may cause pain when it becomes trapped in your babys stomach or intestines.1

Gas is particularly common during the first 3 months of life when your little ones digestive tract is still maturing.2 You may even notice its worse at night.3 Most of the time, gas is from swallowing too much air, but there may be other reasons your little one is gassy.

Read on to learn how to help your baby with gas.

Common causes of gas discomfort in breastfed babies:

• An incorrect latch while nursing leads your baby to swallow too much air3
• Excessive crying fills your babys belly with air1
• Strong let-down or oversupply, causing baby to gulp quickly and swallow air3
• Immature digestive tract is still learning to process breastmilk, gas, and stool effectively2
• Sensitivity or allergy to a food in moms diet1, 3, 4
• Introduction to a bottle or to formula. Baby may swallow air while drinking from a bottle or may need to get used to formulas ingredients.3, 7

Common symptoms of gas in breastfed babies:

Gas Causing Foods For Breastfed Babies

We know that all babies have gas. This is something that they cant control, and you cant avoid it entirely.

However, certain foods you eat while you are breastfeeding might increase this side effect. So, try to stay clear of the following types of products to reduce the gas in your infant.

• Top foods to stay away while breastfeeding.

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How To Relieve Gas In Breastfed Baby

The best way to relieve gas for your baby is to wait until they are a little older to eat certain foods. Your babys digestive system needs time to mature and as they get older, gas causing foods will be a little easier for them to tolerate. Here are a few tips to help make your baby less gassy from breastfeeding.

1. Make dietary changes. There are many different foods on the gas causing list, so it may limit you too much to omit all the gas causing foods. Omit one for a few days and see if it helps. If not, omit another and only let go of foods one at a time to see which ones offend your babys digestive system. Here is a list of some gassy foods:

• Fiber Foods: Bran and bran products
• Fruits: Apricots, prunes, peaches, pears, and plumsandcitrus
• Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbages, asparagus, artichokes, cauliflower, onion, garlic and beans
• Starches: Corn, pasta and potatoes
• Other Foods: Dairy, chocolate, coffee and carbonated soda/waters

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.

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What Kind Of Diet Should I Have If I Am Breastfeeding

This is a simple answer.a healthy and well-rounded diet! If youre breastfeeding, make sure you are getting enough nutrients to support your healing body during the post-partum period. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, proteins and carbohydrates is recommended. I suggest carrying healthy snacks at all times, such as trail-mix, an apple or granola bar. Being a new mom is very tiring and having healthy snacks on hand helps maintain strength throughout the day. Did you know you burn an extra 300 calories per day when youre breastfeeding? So, eating a healthy and well-rounded diet is very important. I found this resource from the United States Department of Agriculture very helpful about nutrition and breastfeeding. Did you need to remove foods from your diet while breastfeeding? I would love to hear about your experience.

Should I Remove Certain Foods From My Diet While Breastfeeding

There is only ONE reason to remove certain foods in your diet. The reason? If your baby shows negative symptoms after drinking breast milk. Consider how your baby responds to breast milk after drinking it. If symptoms occur such as fussiness, irritability, crying, gas, increased spitting up and/or drawing their legs up due to tummy pain, write down everything you ate that day. This lets you carefully look at your diet instead of getting rid of foods that may not be the cause of your babys distress. Keep in mind, most babies are not affected by foods in their mothers diet. This post will help in case there are.

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Gripe Water For Gas Or Newborn Gas Drops

There are many types of gripe water and gas drops out there.

For my first baby, Colic Calm was a miracle. Its super messy, but I didnt care. It WORKED. As soon as I gave it to her, I audibly heard the gas bubbles moving through her body and then she would pass it. It was seriously amazing.

For some reason, Colic Calm didnt seem to work as well for my second child . For her, Little Remedies Gas Dropsworked well.

What To Give Babies For Gas Easy Ways Can Blow Your Mind

There are many causes of the gassy condition such as food sensitivity, getting gas from milk, sucking or crying a pacifier, excessive air but dont worry. The buildup of gas can end up pains and discomfort because its trapped in the gastrointestinal tract of your baby. If you wonder that what to give babies for gas, I have many easy and effective treatments you can apply at home in place of calling the pediatrician immediately.

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Some Causes Of Gas In Babies

• Many young babies have a certain amount of gas and seem to strain as it is passed or as a bowel movement occurs simply because of the immaturity of their digestive system. This doesnt always indicate a problem. Most babies bodies manage gas more easily with growth, maturity, and greater activity. As long as your baby is not overly bothered by the gas or has no other symptoms of food sensitivity or other problems, then tincture of time is likely the best solution.
• Too much milk too fast, so that baby gulps and chokes and takes in too much air along with the milk. See forceful let-down.
• Anything that causes baby to take in too much air may result in a gassy baby :
• Crying Babies swallow air when they are crying, so crying is more likely to be the cause of gas, rather than the result of gas. Respond to babys feeding cues promptly.
• Bottlefeeding Babies usually swallow more air when drinking from a bottle. When using bottles, use the slowest-flow nipples so baby doesnt get overwhelmed with the milk flow. To reduce air swallowing, keep baby at about a 45 degree angle , make sure baby has a good seal on the base of the nipple, and keep the bottle tilted so the neck & nipple are filled with milk. There are also varieties of bottles that aim to reduce air swallowing. Dont let baby suck on an empty bottle. Burp baby more often if he seems to be swallowing too much air.

Foods Other Than Breast Milk

Breast milk is, by and large, pretty easy to digest for most babies. However, if your child is eating infant formula, juice, supplements or vitamins these can cause problems with the digestive system as well. Its not uncommon for babys who are being introduced to solid food for the first time to experience some tummy issues during the transition.

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How To Relieve A Baby With Intestinal Gas

Follow these tips to help with a gassy baby:

• If breastfeeding, be sure babys lips form a good seal far back on the areola.
• If bottle feeding, be sure babys lips are positioned on the wide base of the nipple, not just on the tip.
• Tilt the bottle at a thirty-to-forty-degree angle while feeding so that air rises to the bottom of the bottle, or try collapsible formula bags.
• Eliminate fuss foods from your diet if breastfeeding
• Feed baby smaller volumes more frequently
• Keep baby upright during and for a half-hour after a feeding.
• Avoid prolonged sucking on pacifiers or empty bottle nipples.
• Respond promptly to a babys cries. First and foremost, be sure to burp baby during and after feedings. You can also try the following techniques and remedies to relieve a gassy baby:
• Abdominal massage
• Baby bends. Lie baby on his/her back, bend knees and legs toward abdomen applying gentle pressure on tummy.
• Simethicone drops

Do I Need To Take Vitamins

Your doctor may ask you to continue taking a prenatal vitamin or womens supplement.

Its important to get enough iodine, an important mineral, while breastfeeding. To get enough:

• Take a supplement with 150 micrograms of iodine per day.
• Use iodized salt in your cooking.
• Eat foods that are high in iodine, like seafood and dairy products.

If you are vegan or don’t eat fish or dairy, talk to your doctor about getting checked for iodine deficiency.

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Keep Your Baby Away From Caffeine And The Like

If your baby is breastfeeding or you had a gassy baby breastfeeding, you a mother shouldnt eat foods that cause gas in babies while breastfeeding especially ones containing caffeine because most of the newborns are tend to be sensitive. Food sensitivity is one of the causes leading to the gassy condition. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, to know whether or not your baby is sensitive to any specific ingredient, you should stop feeding it that food within a week to monitor the reaction of your baby.

When Should You Worry

Most of the time, infant gas is normal and treatable. But in rare cases, it can be the first sign of a more serious digestive problem, says Jenna Faircloth, PharmD, of Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center in Ohio. Contact the doctor right away if your baby:

• Does not poop, has bloody stools, or vomits.
• Is very fussy. If you cant get them to calm down, a doctor needs to check for a problem.
• Has a fever. If they have a rectal temperature of 100.4 F or higher, a doctor needs to rule out infection. If they are under 3 months of age, take them to the doctor right away.

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