How Can I Relieve My Baby's Gas Fast?

Many newborns, particularly between the ages of 1-4 months, suffer from gas.

Many newborns, particularly between the ages of 1-4 months, suffer from gas. The taking in of air while feeding, allergies to food given, and/or improper burping practices may all cause the baby to be gassy and irritable.

Following these simple methods can help relieve the baby’s gas:

• A warm bath and compress work as the best natural remedy for colicky babies and offers respite from gas. Soak a towel in warm water, squeeze it, and gently rub the baby’s tummy with it. Warm water will soothe the cramps and make the baby feel better.
• Gently massaging touch can be calming and relaxing, but even more importantly, the pressure on your baby’s tummy can help encourage gas bubbles to come out. You can also try the “colic hold” to help relieve pressure in a gassy baby. To do this hold, you can hold your baby across your lap so that his tummy lays on your legs.
• Simply putting the baby in the tummy first position for about 2 minutes can also help relieve the gases due to the pressure on the tummy. Be mindful that the nose and mouth are free, and breathing is not hampered.

Other treatment and prevention tips are the following:

Position and bottles:

• When breastfeeding, get a great attachment, and for bottle feeding, make sure the formula covers the teat completely. Doing these things will help the baby to avoid gulping to get more food and taking in the excess air into their stomach. Always ensure your baby’s head is higher than their tummy. It will make swallowing and natural digestion easier.
• Gulping down breast milk too quickly can trap air, so introduce some short breaks into the feeding. Break your latch, pause for 10-15 seconds, and then resume. Take a 30-second break while shifting breasts.
• Some bottles are specially made to minimize air bubbles and some bottles have a special vent system to eliminate negative pressure and air bubbles. Pay attention to the milk flow from the nipple. Most bottle systems have levels or numbers on the nipples to indicate the suggested age you should use each nipple.

Diet:

• The gut is home to trillions of live cultures. These good bacteria create the microbiome in your baby’s tummy. However, if the “bad” bacteria outnumber the “good” bacteria, your baby is more likely to struggle with gas or bloating. You can support your baby’s gut health with infant probiotics.
• Gripe water is no longer advised for a baby’s gas because it may contain ingredients a baby may not tolerate. There are dill syrups, simethicone, and fennel syrups available in the market that you can use.
• Chamomile tea has been used for centuries as a tummy-soother, and many mothers swear by this. With your pediatrician’s advice, you can give room temperature (or even chilled) chamomile tea in a syringe to your gassy baby starting around 6 months of age.
• Pumpkin, pear, or prune purees can be extremely effective in combating a baby’s tummy issues due to their high natural water content. These simple foods are filled with natural laxatives to help encourage the passage of air in your little one’s belly.

Additional methods:

• Although choosing the right bottle nipple and giving your baby's infant probiotics are good for preventing gas, some good old-fashioned bicycle kicks can help your baby during a gassy flare-up. This is also a great opportunity to bond with your baby. To perform this move, follow these simple steps:
  • Lay your baby on a soft blanket on the floor (or activity mat)
  • Sit in front of your baby and move your baby’s legs as if he were on a bicycle
• If you are breastfeeding, you may be eating foods that your baby is sensitive to, and this could cause your baby to be gassy. If you are not sure what is causing the gas, try cutting one specific food out of your diet for a week at a time to see if that helps. Some common foods that can cause your baby to be gassy include:
  • Dairy
  • Soy
  • Gluten
  • Eggs
  • Nuts
• While most babies can do well on a standard formula, some may need a formula that is specialized. The two options used most frequently for gastrointestinal symptoms are hydrolyzed and hypoallergenic formulas:
  • Hydrolyzed: Formulas, which are hydrolyzed, have proteins that are broken down into smaller fragments so that they are easier to digest. It is recommended for organic, high-quality, hydrolyzed formula.
  • Hypoallergenic: Formulas that are hypoallergenic are more significantly hydrolyzed, and in some cases, they have proteins broken down into their smallest components, such as amino acids.