If your baby is restless after feeding, spits up frequently, or suffers from indigestion, one of the causes could be an excessive build of gas. In these cases, it is important to know how to get rid of baby gas fast, so your baby does not suffer any more discomfort.
There are many reasons why you may need to know how to get rid of baby gas, as there are many causes of gas buildup in babies. If your baby is breastfed, they may not be latching properly, which may be causing them to swallow an excessive amount of air over the course of nursing. The breastfeeding mother’s diet may also have an impact on baby’s digestion, causing more gas when exposed to certain foods. If they are bottle fed, an incorrect sized nipple may be causing them to swallow an excessive amount of air while feeding. Bubbles trapped in their formula may also cause excess gas buildup. If they are unable to burp properly after feeding, this excess gas may be built up and cause significant discomfort. In addition, if your baby has colic (long lasting crying fits regularly), they may be swallowing a lot of air over the course of their crying fits. Babies having gas is a normal occurrence, which means it is crucial to know how to get rid of gas in infants effectively to avoid discomfort and disturbance. If you want to know how to get rid of gas in newborn baby, it is important to identify the source, and try a few tried and tested tips to get rid of it.
While it is very natural for babies to have gas, especially after feedings, it is important to know how to recognize the signs of your baby having gas if it causes them significant discomfort. If your baby shows the following signs, it may be a good idea to try some of the tricks for how to get rid of baby gas. Crying while passing gas (or soon after) If your baby is often crying at times when they are unlikely to be hungry or tired, the culprit may be a build-up of gas, or discomfort from passing gas. Arching the back Babies may instinctually adopt this position as it relieves the pressure of having gas somewhat, so if your baby arches their back, and show other signs of discomfort, they have gas. Lifting the legs Similar to arching their back, this position seems to relieve the pressure and discomfort of having gas for babies. Swollen stomach If their abdomen looks distended and swollen, more so than normal after a feeding, they may have an excessive build-up of gas causing it to be pushed outwards. Passing gas or belching If your baby is passing gas, but still shows signs of discomfort, they may be unable to release all of the gas build-up and may need your assistance to expel it completely.
If your baby has gas, there are simple home remedies you can try to get rid of gas in infants without too much effort. Some of the best remedies are long term, while there are also others for short term immediate relief. The more familiar you are with all the techniques, the better you’ll be able to tailor a remedy for your baby’s individual needs. Some of these techniques are specific to breast or bottle feeding, so take your baby’s routine and habits into account. Keep a food log If your baby is breast fed, they may be reacting to different foods that the breastfeeding mother eats. Keep a food log to track if baby gets gas more often when exposed to certain foods so you can avoid them and prevent gas in the first place. Swirl formula and let it sit If baby is bottle fed with formula, there may be air bubbles trapped in their formula from shaking it to mix. This issue can be resolved by swirling the formula into water instead of shaking, and letting it sit for a few minutes to release trapped air bubbles before feeding. Check bottle nipple size Using an incorrect sized nipple on a baby bottle can cause your baby to swallow excessive amounts of air that causes gas. These remedies can help prevent gas build up from occurring in the first place – but babies getting gas occasionally is inevitable. In those cases, it is important to know how to get rid of baby gas fast so you can save them from unnecessary discomfort. If your baby already has gas and you want to relieve them, try some of the following tips and tricks. "Cycling" their legs Lay your baby flat on their back and lift their knees up to their chest. “pedal’ their legs back and forth in a bicycling motion gently, a few minutes at a time, until they pass gas. Elevate their head Hold them upright against your shoulder, making sure they head is elevated. Pat or rub their back gently for a few minutes at a time until they pass gas. Go for a ride or a walk If your baby enjoys going for a ride, or being held while walking, take them out. The gentle rocking motion of being in a car, or the subtle bouncing of being held while walking may help them release gas. Swaddling For new-borns and young babies, swaddling may help comfort them and ease the pressure of having gas, although this doesn’t work on all babies. Face down craddle Try cradling them face down instead of on their back. Make sure that their head is supported and slightly elevated, and mouth and nose are not covered. Belly massage Gently rub your baby’s stomach in a clockwise, counter clockwise or alternating motion. Pay attention to your baby’s reaction to adjust the pressure accordingly. Burping them Helping your baby to burp by rubbing their back is a tried and tested method to avoid gas. Try different positions to help them release gas more effectively. Distract older babies Older infants may be more prone to crying from mild discomfort if they do not have any other stimulation. Singing, playing with them, or giving them toys to interact with may distract them from the discomfort of having gas until they are able to pass it properly. Strengthen muscles with tummy time Let your baby play on their tummy when awake and supervised. This may help them to release trapped gas as well as strengthen muscles and encourage them to lift their heads regularly.
If your baby has frequent build-up of gas after feeding, then there may an issue with latching and unlatching during breastfeeding. In addition to improper feeding, and sore or cracked nipples, this can lead to your baby swallowing an excessive amount of air over the course of every feed. Generally, most babies will unlatch on their own once they have consumed their fill of breastmilk. However, it is not uncommon for some babies to stay latched on to mom’s breast without suckling, or to continue suckling after mom’s milk has been exhausted. In this case it is important to help your baby unlatch. It is very important to break the suction of the latch before pulling your baby away, as this may lead to even more discomfort. Gently place your finger in between your breast and their gums to break the suction, before guiding baby’s head away from your breast gently.
In most cases, gas is simply a natural consequence of your baby’s development and adjustment to the world of feeding, and can be managed at home with no problems. However, if your baby suffers from extreme discomfort from gas, often has a distended abdomen from gas, or cannot pass gas effectively even with assistance, there may be an underlying problem. In these cases, it is a good idea to consult a medical professional to avoid any long-term complications. They may suggest gas drops, a natural remedy such as ‘gripe water’ or possibly even probiotics. It is important to follow your doctor’s suggestions if you suspect a serious problem aside from normal gas build up.
You are about to visit a Philips global content page
ContinueSelect country
India (English)
