Beat the Bloat: Baby Gas Relief 

If you’re a first-time parent, it may be surprising to you that babies are so gassy. It’s common for babies to pass gas 13-21 times a day. That’s a lot of gassiness for such a little body! 
Usually, digestive upset starts around the age of two weeks.  
 

Why are babies so gassy? 

There are a few reasons why babies are so gassy. Babies have countless opportunities to swallow air throughout each day. When they cry, they take in extra air. Especially if your baby is colicky, he or she will swallow a lot of air. 

Other common reasons for baby gassiness are incorrect feeding positions, too much lactose, allergies or intolerances. 

Even when it seems like your baby isn’t dealing with any of the above causes, he or she probably still has gas in their system since their intestines are still developing the microflora that’s essential for digestion. 
 

Is passing gas painful for my baby? 

Passing gas may or may not be painful for your little one. You can determine if it’s hurting him or her by his or her actions. Is your baby smiling while passing gas, or are they crying and turning red? Is your baby fussy for just a few seconds while passing gas, or is he or she arching the back and clenching the fists? 

If your baby seems to be experiencing pain or discomfort, follow these tips: 
 
1. Start a gas journal. 


Keeping track of your little one’s triggers and symptoms can be incredibly helpful in relieving your baby’s gas discomfort. Here’s how to use a journal: 


i. Always keep a notebook with you in your purse or diaper bag to record or keep track on your phone. 


ii. After your child eats, make note of what he or she eats as well as the symptoms they’re experiencing. 


iii. When symptoms occur, look back on the past 3 days for any possible patterns or triggers. 


iv. Share the journal and possible problematic foods with your health care professional for further assistance.

Many breastfeeding mothers find that following an elimination diet for themselves after identifying problematic foods is a helpful next step. Breastmilk can transfer certain nutrients to your baby that might be causing them to have intestinal issues. 

 

2. Try a variety of feeding techniques. 


i. Feed baby at an angle. 

If you’re breastfeeding, keep your baby’s head and neck elevated above the stomach while feeding. If bottle feeding, feed in a vertical position and tip the bottle slightly so that air can rise to the top. 


ii. Burp during and after feeding. 

Pediatricians suggest burping in a seated position and by holding your baby upright or over the shoulder. Try burping in the middle and after a feeding session. Be patient as it may take a few minutes for the bubbles and gas to surface. 


iii. Use the right bottle and formula if bottle feeding. 

The best kind of bottle will have a soft nipple that contours along with your baby’s mouth and lips to prevent air from flowing along with the milk. Sometimes, switching formulas may help reduce gas symptoms. 


iv. Talk to a lactation consultant if breastfeeding. 

Ensure that your baby’s mouth is latching on properly and that each feeding is neither too fast nor too slow. La Leche League advises that baby should be fed in a comfortable position. Contact a La Leche League for support. 

 

3. Practice physical therapies for baby. 


Even when your baby is fed perfectly, there may still be discomfort from the trapped gas. Burping won’t always work since gas forms in the intestines in addition to the stomach. The following physical therapies can help relieve gas after feeding or upon onset of symptoms: 


i. Tummy time 

Let your baby lay on his tummy while he is awake. Gravity’s gentle pressure can help push out trapped gas. This also helps your little one with developing core, arm and neck strength. 


ii. Bicycle baby’s legs. 

Slowly and gently pump your baby's legs back and forth as if riding a bicycle, loosening trapped gas in the intestines. 


iii. Football hold 

Gravity can help to soothe your little one’s tummy when you hold him or her face down on your forearm, allowing the legs to straddle your wrist. A back rub can also help with additional pressure. 


iv. Tummy massage 

Gently massaging your baby’s tummy while he or she is lying on their back. 


v. Swaddling 

Wrap your little one tightly in a blanket to provide your baby with the same sensation they experienced in the womb. 

 

4. Utilize gas drops. 


There are four types of gas drops. Each works in a different way. 


i. Gripe water with synthetics 

Most gripe waters contain simethicone, a drug that is marketed as an anti-flatulent remedy for gas relief. It is a defoaming agent that binds gas bubbles together to suppress them, but doesn’t actually eliminate them from the system. Simethicone usually contains synthetic ingredients, such as artificial colors and flavors, as well as emulsifiers and fillers. Gripe waters that contain simethicone are mostly taste distractors without any active ingredients. 


ii. Gripe water alternative 

Gripe water is often a trusted remedy for infant gas. Colic Calm is the only gripe water alternative that has natural active ingredients that are blended to soothe baby’s discomfort while working quickly, in five minutes or less. 


iii. Tummy Calm 

Tummy Calm® is an FDA-listed, homeopathic gas relief preparation. An over-the-counter alternative to gas drops with synthetic ingredients, Tummy Calm uses natural active ingredients to provide safe and effective relief to gassy babies, usually within five minutes or less. Unlike simethicone, Tummy Calm does not require constant dosing and does not contain any artificial colors or flavors. 


iv. Probiotics 

Supplementing your baby’s diet with a probiotic may help if administered over a period of several weeks. If your baby has started eating solids, feeding him or her a bit of yogurt will also introduce the gut to different strains of intestinal bacteria. Colic Calm Probiotic includes five key strains, specific to helping with colic and intestinal issues. 


Soothing your baby’s tummy pains can be a trial-and-error process. No two babies are alike, so what works for one child might not work for the next. Trying a variety of the above suggestions will ensure that your little one is getting the maximum relief from gas pain and discomfort.