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Gas is simply air in the stomach or intestines, but it can be painful for some babies.
- Bloating is normal for babies and will usually go away on its own.
- Babies can get gas after swallowing air while crying or while feeding.
- Home remedies like moving your legs and raising your head can help calm a gassy baby.
When a baby has gas, tiny sacs develop in their stomach or intestines, sometimes causing pressure and abdominal pain.
Many bloated babies are not bothered by gas, but some become restless and unable to sleep until they have passed their gas. Others cry for hours.
A handful of simple home remedies can usually soothe a baby and ease their gas pains. In most cases, infant gas is not a cause for concern.
However, talking to a pediatrician about bloating can have a calming effect and help parents or caregivers determine why the baby is bloating.
In this article, we look at the causes of gas in babies, its symptoms, and how to help relieve trapped gas.
Almost all babies get gas. Bloating occurs when air enters the digestive tract, such as when a baby sucks on a bottle and swallows air. Gas doesn't usually mean something is wrong.
Reasons a baby may get gassy include:
swallow air
Babies can swallow air when theylockincorrectly placed on the breast or in certain positions, or drinking from a bottle. They can even gulp air just because they babbled a lot.
Excessive crying
Babies tend to swallow air when they cry. If this causes them to have bloating, they can defecate after crying.
It can be difficult for someone to tell if gas is making the baby cry or if crying is causing their gas. In any case, it is important that a caregiver tries to attend to a crying baby's needs promptly and try to soothe them as best they can.
Minor digestive problems
Babies can get gas when they areclogged.
Less commonly, gas can indicate a gastrointestinal condition, such assaurer Reflux. A person can talk to a pediatrician about their baby's gas, especially if the gas is frequent or severe.
An immature digestive tract
Babies' bodies are learning how to digest food, so they tend to get gas more than adults.
Gastrointestinal Virus
Sometimes a virus causes stomach problems, such as:
- Gas
- Vomit
- Diarrhea
New foods
In older infants who are eatingsolids, new foods can cause bloating. In some infants, frequent bloating can be a sign of a food intolerance.
Simple home remedies can help calm a baby and may help gas bubbles move out of the body faster.
It can be helpful to position the baby so that his head is over his stomach.
These other methods can help relieve bloating in a baby:
Move your legs in a circle
A person can lay the baby flat on his back and raise his legs with his knees bent. Moving the legs in a bicycle motion can help the baby relieve trapped gases.
Lift the head
Elevating the baby's head above their tummy can relieve gas and keep them in an upright position for burping.
Take a car ride
If the baby likes driving, it can help to ride with them. The gentle rocking can relieve pain and soothe the baby.
The puck
The puckNewborns and toddlers can help with gas. However, not all babies like it.
Rock her face down
A person may try to rock the baby in their arms, but face down instead of face up. It is important to support and slightly raise the baby's head, making sure nothing is covering the baby's face or nose.
Massaging her belly
Gently rubbing the baby's tummy can relieve bloating. A person can try to push down in gentle clockwise or counterclockwise motions, letting the baby's reactions guide the pressure.
burp them
A human canburp the babyB. by rubbing or gently patting on the back.
distract you
Older babies may cry more in pain when they are bored. A person can try to distract the baby from gas pain by:
- To sing
- Dance
- offer toys
- with interactive game
tummy time
Babies can benefit from the tummy position while they are awake and supervised. Tummy time means laying her on her stomach and letting her move.
This can release trapped gas. It also strengthens their upper body muscles and encourages them to lift their heads.
give gas drops
SimethiconGas droppedhelp some babies and can be safely abandoned12 times a day, as long as parents or carers follow the dosage on the bottle.
However, a2015 Review of Studiessuggests that these drops may not be better than aPlaceboin reducing weeping or gas.
Probiotic Dietary Supplements
Research suggests that aprobiotic supplementcan help babies with thisPinby balancing their gut microorganisms. ARückblick 2019found that daily crying time was reduced in babies given a probiotic.
However, researchers have not proven the safety of probiotic supplements for infants, and there is no evidence of an appropriate dosage for infants or which probiotic might work best.
When home remedies don't work and a baby's gas is very bad, a person should speak to a pediatrician before giving a baby a probiotic.
(Video) How To Relieve Gas and Colic In Babies and Infants Instantly
According to theNortheast Alabama Regional Medical Center, the most common symptoms of bloating in a baby are:
- face red when crying
- frequent squirming
- draw your legs to your chest
- not sleeping or eating well
- seemingly unhappy
Gas is not a medical condition. For most babies, it is a temporary but sometimes painful symptom.
If the gas is severe or other symptoms appear, a pediatrician may recommend a test to determine the cause.
Doctors may use the following methods to diagnose the cause of bloating that is accompanied by other symptoms:
- Ask caregivers to keep a nutritional log for the baby and, if the baby is breastfed, for the mother
- Checking the baby for signs of illness or other problem
- Examining the baby's stool, usually by asking for a dirty diaper
If the doctor suspects a serious problem, they may order imaging tests of the baby's digestive tract to rule out more serious conditions.
How does feeding a baby affect gas?
Breast milk is, and usually is, the standard biological food for babieshealthiest choiceif possible. There is no need to stop breastfeeding because a baby has bloating.
Infant formula can also cause bloating. Mixing infant formula can cause air bubbles to form in a baby's food, increasing the risk of bloating. Try a pre-mixed liquid formula instead, or give the formula a few minutes to settle before feeding the baby.
Some babies may be sensitive to formula ingredients such as soy or lactose. However, lactose intolerance is very pronouncedrarelyin infants and is often transient. Babies born prematurely can have lactase deficiency, a condition that only lasts for a short time.
AStudy 2015of nearly 300 infants found that lactose-free, milk- or soy-based formula did not reduce infant agitation or crying.
A person should speak to a pediatrician before changing their baby's formula.
When a baby starts eating solid foods, keeping a food journal can help identify food intolerances that are causing bloating.
It's not necessary to see a doctor for mild gas and bloating, although it's important to discuss any symptoms at the baby's next check-up.
A baby's gas will usually clear up on its own. However, the parents or caregivers should contact a pediatrician if the baby is dealing with any of the problemsthe following:
- constipation
- Diarrhea
- blood in her stool
- Fever
- Vomit
- Appetitverlust
- weight loss
Some strategies that can help prevent bloating include:
- Change feed position:Try changing the baby's position while he's eating to make sure his head is slightly over his stomach.
- Improve locking:Sometimes a weak latch causes a baby to swallow too much air. A person can speak to a lactation consultant if breastfeeding is painful, the baby seems frustrated, or the baby frequently dislodges from the breast. go to oneMeeting of the La Leche Leaguecan also help.
- Slow Feeding:Slowing down the rate at which formula-fed infants eat can be helpful. Some babies drink bottles very quickly, causing them to swallow air. Try a slow flow nipple. People can find different brandsonline.
- Try different bottles:Some babies experience less gas and gas when they use differently shaped bottles, such as B. curved bottles. Regardless of the type of bottle, it's important to hold it high enough that the bottom of the bottle is filled with milk rather than air.
- Burping the baby more often:A person may try to pause in the middle of each feeding to burp the baby. Also, burp the baby after each meal.
Many women who are breastfeeding may worry that their diet is the culprit. There is however
Breastfeeding can cause bloating in a baby if air gets into the baby's mouth due to the following reasons:
- a loose latch on the nipple
- swallow
- Cry
Occasionally, recurring gas can cause itPin, which is intense crying that lasts more than 3 hours a day, more than 3 days a week.
Although a colicky baby may have bloating, it is not the only cause.
It is not always known what causes colic in a baby, but there are some additional causescontain:
- Difficulties with digestion
- an allergy or intolerance to cow's milk
Unlike bloating, which can happen at any time, colic usually starts around the time the baby is bornfirst weeksand disappears when the baby is 3-4 months old.
(Video) Solution for gas in new born - Dr. Shaheena Athif
Although many babies don't seem bothered by their gas, gas can be frustrating and disruptive to others, both the baby and their caregivers.
When a baby isn't sleeping well, the frequent crying can be particularly distressing and overwhelming. However, gas is a normal part of babyhood that usually goes away on its own.
The days of troublesome gases will likely be history soon as the baby grows, develops, and transforms into a toddler. In the meantime, gentle treatment and a few home remedies can make stomach pains more manageable for babies and caregivers.
FAQs
How do you treat severe gas in babies? ›
Some positioning tips: Feed your baby as upright as possible; lay your child on their back and pedal their legs with your hands to help expel gas from below; if your child is awake after a feeding, place them on their belly. Increase tummy time.
What does it mean if my baby is always gassy? ›Common causes for baby gas
If your baby is flatulent, there could be many culprits for it. Some of the most common causes of increased gassiness include feeding issues, formula or food intolerance, crying and constipation.
Babies usually experience gas troubles almost right away, even after only a few weeks of life. Most infants grow out of it by around four to six months of age—but sometimes, it can last longer. Most infant gas is simply caused by swallowing air while feeding.
Why is my baby so gassy and uncomfortable? ›However, babies have new and somewhat immature digestive systems. This means that from time to time, things might not move as smoothly as they should. The result can be a bit of uncomfortable gas. Gas can happen at any stage, but it's incredibly common in the first 3 months of life (also known as the newborn stage).
What home remedy can I give my baby for gas? ›Relieve baby gas fast home remedies
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.
Simethicone: This is known as Gas-X or Mylanta and helps break up the bubbles in gas and helps move it along the digestive tract. Activated charcoal: Also known as CharcoCaps or Actidose-Aqua. Activated charcoal helps reduce gas pain if taken before your meal. Know the side effects of taking charcoal before you try it.