Are you spending late nights pacing around the house, bouncing your baby gently up and down while humming and doing a jig? It may seem like you will never get a good night's sleep—or even a moment to enjoy your favorite new TV show—without a baby screeching in your ear, but hope is in sight. There are some tips and tricks you can try to help comfort your baby when they seem gassy, especially if you've already tried the old standby, burping, to no avail.
Why is Your Baby Gassy?
Gas may make your infant temporarily uncomfortable and fussy. Air bubbles your little one swallows may become trapped in the belly, which may lead to a feeling of pressure. Babies often pass gas naturally throughout the day. On average, your baby will pass gas between 13 and 21 times a day. When your baby can't readily get rid of that trapped air, she may start to become fussy, showing signs such as crying and squirming. Gas may be caused by any number of things, from swallowing too much air and crying to bottle or breastfeeding and even sucking on a pacifier. Parents might notice signs like bloating, burping, cramping, or straining, followed by the release of gas*.
Tips and Tricks
If your baby is fussy and gassy but is having trouble passing the gas himself, there are some gentle tips and tricks to help him out. Take your baby on a bicycle ride—no, not on a real bike, but rather in your living room. Place your baby on a blanket on the floor, then take his legs and pump them gently back and forth to work out the gas. Infant massage, tummy time, and a warm bath may also help babies who appear to be experiencing temporary gassiness or fussiness. When feeding your baby, check that his head is higher than his stomach so the milk gets to the bottom of his belly quicker and the air stays close to the top. This type of gas is easiest to get out through burping. Since gas bubbles form most often from the gulping of air, use a slow-flow nipple if you find your baby is sucking down his bottle like there's no tomorrow. Try burping your baby after each feeding, even if he doesn't always give you one. You may also want to experiment with different foods. Cut out fruit juice, which your little one's body has a hard time processing. Nix the caffeine in your diet if you're breastfeeding, and if you're bottle-feeding, switch brands of formula and see if that helps. Some parents also choose to use products like Mommy’s Bliss Gripe Water, a gentle herbal supplement designed to help ease gas and stomach discomfort in infants* older than two weeks. The good news is that there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Your baby is constantly growing and developing, and will likely grow out of her gassy stage before you know it.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the food and drug administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This site is intended for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. Please consult your physician or other health-care professional.
