How to soothe a gassy baby? Leaking gas is one of the main concerns among new parents. It’s distressing when you have to watch your little one squirm, fussy, and cry because of discomfort. Though gassiness is common in a growing baby, there are many gentle and helpful ways to manage your child’s pain.
This article will discuss several things that can help reduce baby gas and what you should know about it, including massaging your baby, burping, changes in feed, medication that can be administered, and others. We will also learn to point out the signs of gassy baby symptoms.
Understanding Gas in Infants
There are some causes of gas production in babies. Kids’ digestive systems are not fully developed, so they will easily get trapped in the air. Another reason is when a baby gulps down air while feeding either from a bottle or from the breast. This usually occurs if the baby is poorly attached to the breast or the bottle nipple, if the bottle’s nipple is too fas, t, or if the baby is a greedy feeder. A crying person can also breathe more than the norm, which is not recommended for their health condition.
In particular, some substances that are a part of a breastfeeding woman’s diet can cause gas in a baby with increased sensitivity to it. Besides that, some formulas cause difficulty in digestion and interfere with the baby’s wind.
As it will be discussed, not all belching is a sign of a problem, and there are perfectly acceptable amounts of gas that the body generates. Different babies have different gastrointestinal tracts in terms of development, and it is normal for babies to burp and pass some gas. However, it’s time to act regarding gas, the level that feels uncomfortable or makes a baby fussy.
Practical Tips and Techniques for Soothing a Gassy Baby
Here are several effective techniques to help relieve your baby’s gas and provide infant gas relief:
Burping
Belching is essential for breaking the wind, which makes burping essential. It is advisable to burp your baby before, during, and even after the feeding period. Try different burping positions:
- Over the shoulder: Position the baby erect on your top chest and hold the head and neck steady; perform paddling or rubbing movement on the baby’s back.
Other Soothing Methods
Tummy Time:
Besides giving your baby tummy time while awake, lying flat, and being stimulated may help pass gas—calm baby gas pain with gentle pressure on their abdomen. Use a few minutes at a time and then build up the exercising time as the baby gains the strength to perform those exercises.
Tummy Massage:
- Walking fingers: The use of gentle pressure on the stomach region can be so helpful in removing gas buildup. Make circular movements in a clockwise direction on the baby’s abdomen with your index fingers. You can also try these specific massage techniques:
- “I Love U” massage: Tap on the tummy of the baby, and with the tips of your fingers, make circular movements to form the letters I Love U. Starting from the left of the patient, draw the first letter “I, “from left side of the patient’s body up to their belly, then draw the second letter of the word ‘L ‘ from the right side to the left side of the patient’s belly up to the legs and the last letter “U “ from the head side of the patient up to the patient’s legs.
Walking fingers:
Run your index fingers on the baby’s abdomen from right to left.
Bicycle Legs:
While your baby remains on the back, you should rotate his leg as if cycling. This can help put pressure on and decrease the abdomen, facilitating gas movement and relieving a newborn.
Warm Bath:
When your baby is a little fussy, it hints at the need for a warm bath to help it relax its muscles. It also can relieve gas pains due to warm water.
Over-the-Counter Remedies
If the above techniques don’t provide sufficient relief from baby gas pain, you can consider over-the-counter remedies:
Simethicone Drops (Anti-Gas Drops): It helps the gas bubble disperse, thus easing expulsion. They are usually harmless when used for infants, but it is always advisable to check with your pediatrician. Use the dosage as directed on the packaging without a deviation.
Gripe Water: It has traditionally been used as a herbal medicine to treat colic or gas pains in infants, and it is often referred to as a ‘Buyer Beware’ product. That is why research does not confirm its application, and some ready-made mixtures can contain substances that are prohibited for a baby. Parents are advised to use only well-known gripe water brands free of hazardous chemicals and always seek medical advice from their child’s doctor.
Dietary Considerations
For Breastfeeding Mothers
Some foods that a breastfeeding mother eats may, at times, cause stomach gas in delicate babies. Common culprits include:
- Dairy products
- Caffeine
- Spicy foods
- The cruciferous group of vegetables includes broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage.
- Onions and garlic
Find out if your diet is causing your baby to have gas by excluding one food at a time in a few days, and observe if there are any changes. Seek advice from your doctor or the lactation consultant for further directions about your diet.
For Formula Feeding
If you are formula feeding, consider the following:
Proper bottle preparation: Ensure you do not introduce unnecessary air when preparing the formula.
Nipple size and flow: Select a nipple size suitable for a baby’s age and the feeding rat. They will likely agree that a fast flow will ensure your baby swallows so much air.
Consider switching formulas: If your baby is allergic to a particular formula or dairy product, changing g to a hypoallergenic or sensitive type may decrease the amount of gas formed. Always discuss with your pediatrician before making any decisive changes to the formula.
When to Seek Medical Advice
While gas is usually a normal part of infant development, it’s important to seek medical advice if your baby experiences any of the following gassy baby symptoms:
- Fever
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Blood in stool
- Refusal to feed
- Colic, meaning inconsolable crying in a baby that is otherwise healthy
- Swollen abdomen
- Such symptoms may be the sign of another illness of greater severity.
Conclusion
How to soothe a gassy baby? It is noteworthy to remember that gas is frequent in infants. Many children cease to have it after a certain number of years because their gastrointestinal tracts have developed.
Following these techniques and strategies described in this article can reduce the baby’s discomfort. To sum it up, let the baby eat slowly, burp it regularly, use the techniques discussed above to help relieve baby gas, and always consult your pediatrician for advice on how to treat infant gas and any other problematic gassy baby behaviors.
