The Gassy Baby Survival Guide

Gas in babies is as common as it is challenging for new parents to handle. Those little burps and toots, while often adorable, can sometimes be a source of discomfort for your bundle of joy. Understanding the why and how of those air bubbles can equip you with the tools to provide comfort to your little one. Here’s a quick guide on why baby gas happens and how to ease it. 

Why Do Babies Get Gas?

Babies get gassy for all sorts of reasons, mostly linked to their growth and daily activities. Let’s look at a breakdown of some of the common contributing factors:  

• Developing Digestive System: Since babies’ digestive systems are still developing, they’re more prone to gas. But the gassy stage is often temporary, as many little ones start to have less gas between four to six months as their digestion develops.
• Swallowing Air: Certain activities like feeding, crying, or using pacifiers can make babies swallow more air than usual, leading to gas.
• Food Sensitivities or Allergies: Both formula-fed and breastfed babies may encounter gas-triggering food sensitivities or allergies. For instance, if you’re breastfeeding and you have cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli or cabbage with dinner, it’s possible your little one may be gassier than usual later on. Another common gas-causing culprit is a cow’s milk protein allergy, which can appear whether the baby consumes dairy directly through formula or indirectly through breast milk. A cow’s milk protein allergy is accompanied by other issues such as excessive crying and fussiness, vomiting, rash, and reflux. If you suspect your baby could have an allergy, see your pediatrician for further medical evaluation.

Tips to Help Ease Baby’s Gas

Easing your little one’s gas discomfort can be as easy as trying a few strategies that can go a long way in making your baby feel better.

Burp the Baby Frequently

Regular burping helps to release the air your baby swallows during feeding. Try burping your baby midway through a feed and after to keep gas from building up. Here are three common techniques for moving those air bubbles up and out: 

• Over the Shoulder: Hold your baby against your chest so their chin rests on your shoulder. Support their bottom with one hand and gently pat or rub their back with the other. This position takes advantage of gravity to help release trapped air.
• Sitting Up: Sit your baby on your lap, facing away from you. Lean them slightly forward, supporting their chest and head with one hand across their chest. With your other hand, gently pat or rub their back. This position helps to straighten their back, making it easier for gas to escape.
• Face Down on Lap: Lay your baby face down across your knees, with their head slightly higher than their chest. Use one hand to support their chin and jaw (avoiding pressure on their throat) and pat or rub their back with the other hand. The pressure on their stomach can help push out the gas.

Make Time for Tummy Time

Tummy time is great for physical development and can also support gas release. The light pressure on your baby’s stomach can help push those gas bubbles out.

Try The “Bicycle Legs” Exercise

Help your baby pedal away gas discomfort and related fussiness with the “bicycle legs” exercise. Here’s how to perform this soothing gas-easing technique:

1. Position Your Baby: Lay your baby on their back on a comfortable, flat surface. Ensure their head is supported and they’re calm before starting the exercise.
2. Start Pedaling: Hold your baby’s legs in a half-bent position, similar to how they would be if riding a bicycle. Begin to move their legs in a slow, circular motion, as if they’re pedaling.
3. Be Gentle: Keep the movements smooth and gentle. You don’t need to apply much pressure; the aim is to mimic the natural motion of cycling, which, in itself, is enough to help ease the gas.
4. Observe Your Baby’s Response: Some babies might find immediate relief, while others might need a few minutes. If your baby seems uncomfortable or distressed, pause and try again later.
5. Frequency: You can perform this exercise several times daily, especially after feedings or when your baby seems gassy.

Review Your Little One’s Latch

Getting the latch just right during breastfeeding is a key step in minimizing how much air your little one swallows, helping keep those gas bubbles at bay. 

An optimal latch means your baby’s mouth covers both the nipple and a significant portion of the areola, forming a tight seal that prevents air from being ingested along with milk. If you’re uncertain whether your baby is latching correctly, seeking advice from a lactation consultant can be incredibly helpful. 

Consider a Different Bottle

If you’re bottle-feeding, consider using bottles designed to minimize air intake during feedings. Options like vented, angled, or collapsible bottles can be effective. Also, ensure your baby’s head is slightly raised, at about a 45-degree angle, and tip the bottle so the nipple is filled with milk, keeping air from being swallowed.

Ask Your Doctor About Changing Your Baby’s Formula

For formula-fed babies, switching to a formula designed for sensitive stomachs can sometimes help with gas issues, as well as other feeding concerns such as spit-up. These formulas, have smaller, partially hydrolyzed proteins, may be easier for your baby’s developing digestive system to digest.

Soak Away Gassiness With Warm Bath Time

A warm bath can relax your baby’s muscles, making it easier for them to pass gas. Your little one may also find the water’s mild temperature soothing and pleasant.

Try an Infant Massage

A soft belly rub for your baby can work wonders in easing gas discomfort. Lightly moving your fingers in circles around their belly button can help break up those gas bubbles.

Patience Prevails When It Comes to Easing Baby Gas

While gas in babies is common, seeing your baby in discomfort can be distressing. Incorporate these gas-easing strategies into your daily routine, and always talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. 

Keep in mind that every baby is unique, so a technique that soothes one may not suit another. It can take time and patience to find what works best for your little one. And try not to stress—you’re already on your way to ensuring more peaceful days and nights for both you and your baby.